Posted on Aug. 11: John C. Sibley Award given to two part-time faculty members
Two teachers who take a personal approach to health education are the winners of this year's John C. Sibley Award for part-time members of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS).
The co-recipients are Harald Stolberg, of the Department of Radiology and Denise Marshall, of the Department of Family Medicine.
The award is named for former associate dean John (Jack) C. Sibley, one of the founders of FHS who was known both locally and internationally for his interdisciplinary approach to community health. Established in 1986, it is given annually to those who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to innovative teaching, interdisciplinary education and research in improving patient care.
Stolberg joined the McMaster Medical School in 1967. While his accomplishments in teaching, research and clinical practice are numerous, his approach is down to earth.
“Whether you're teaching undergraduates, community college or technologists, the first thing is to establish an eye-to-eye relationship and not to talk down to people,” he says.
Stolberg is also a great believer in the problem-based learning approach, pioneered at McMaster, and now used at more than 70 universities worldwide.
He believes solving problems is a more effective learning tool than memorization: “If you give people problems to solve that are interesting and challenging, regardless of their level, the reaction will be the same.”
Stolberg was chief radiologist at Hamilton General Hospital from 1965 to 1987 and played a vital role in the establishment of the Heart Investigation Unit. He is also widely recognized for his involvement in the development of computed tomographic (CT) scanning.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Stolberg was recently awarded the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.
When asked what has kept him teaching for so long, Stolberg's reply was brief: “Simply because I enjoy it.”
Marshall, who was named Grimsby's Citizen of the Year in 2002, has been the director of the Undergraduate Program in Family Medicine since 2000. She is also medical director of the palliative care team she created for West Niagara, based at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital.
Like Stolberg, Marshall values personal relationships in teaching: “I enjoy working one-to-one or in small groups, helping people find out who they are as health care practitioners,” she says.
Marshall has held a part-time appointment in the Department of Family Medicine since 1992, instructing in palliative care. Her teachings reach a wide variety of interdisciplinary groups, including practicing nurses and doctors, as well as the Faculty's students. She also gives presentations to community groups, such as the Victorian Order of Nurses.
“Working in palliative care means working with an interdisciplinary team. It's important to reflect that real life' experience in teaching,” she says.
A graduate of McMaster's Family Medicine and Palliative Care programs, Marshall strives to raise awareness of the benefits of family medicine as a career choice and she also encourages students to accept rural rotation sites.
Susan Denburg, associate dean academic, will present these physicians with their awards at September departmental meetings. Their names will be added to a plaque in the foyer of the Health Sciences Centre.
In addition to Marshall and Stolberg, the following part-time faculty members were nominated for this prestigious award, to express appreciation for their excellent contributions and sustained commitment to Faculty programs and students:
- Alfred Cividino, Department of Medicine
- Marilyn Hunt, Clinical Behavioural Science Program
- Michael Marcaccio, Department of Surgery
- Ameen Patel, Department of Medicine
- Adele Wolpert-Zur, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences
