Richmond physician and educator awarded prestigious teaching honor

By Anne Buckley and Sondra Goodman

Richmond, Va. physician Ellen M. Palen, M.D., is among a select group of physicians honored by the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation for her commitment to education in the field of family medicine.

Palen was selected to receive the 2007 Pfizer Teacher Development Award based on her scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and dedication to family medicine. The $1,500 award, supported by Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiatives, recognizes community-based physicians who have chosen to teach family medicine on a part-time basis.

The award provides funding for each recipient to attend a seminar, workshop or fellowship to further his or her development and teaching skills.

"As past recipient of the Teacher Development Award, I am pleased that Pfizer continues to make awards available to our members," said AAFP/F President Jerry P. Rogers, M.D. "This program recognizes dedication to mentorship among family physicians such as Dr. Palen."

Palen received her medical degree from VCU and completed her residency with VCU Chesterfield Family Medicine Residency Program. She currently serves as a family medicine preceptor for the VCU Department of Family Medicine and will be recognized for this achievement during a ceremony at VCU in February.

Palen is currently caring for patients at Virginia Family Physicians in Richmond, and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Medical Society of Virginia, and an assistant clinical professor in the VCU School of Medicine. She has been purposeful in embracing mentorship of young women as part of her clinical teaching. She also volunteers with the Episcopal Church Women who serve at-risk children and assist mothers and children in financial crisis and CARITAS, whose mission is to help feed the homeless.