Faculty & Staff Featured News Research Department Awards

Haroutounian named Preclinical Teacher of the Year

Simon Haroutounian, PhD, MSc, chief of the Division of Clinical and Translational Research (DoCTR) and chief of Clinical Pain Research at the Washington University Pain Center, has been honored with the Preclinical Teacher of the Year award by the graduating Class of 2024. Additionally, earlier this year, Haroutounian also received the Distinguished Service Teaching Award for Research, highlighting his exceptional role in medical education.

Throughout his tenure, Haroutounian has exemplified dedication and excellence in medical education, inspiring countless students with his expertise and commitment to nurturing the next generation of physicians. His contributions to the medical community extend beyond the classroom, as he continues to advance clinical and translational research in pain management.

“Being honored with a student-nominated award like this is the most special type of recognition,” said Haroutounian. “WashU medical students are an amazing bunch, and it has been incredibly rewarding to contribute to teaching such a passionate, caring, curious, hard-working, and committed group of students. This award means a lot to me, and I am grateful for this opportunity to make my contribution to their journey of becoming physicians.”

Haroutounian will receive this prestigious award at the 2024 WashU Medicine MD Commencement Ceremony, which will be held on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. The ceremony will celebrate medical students and honor exceptional educators like Haroutounian. This year’s keynote speaker is Dean Schillinger, MD, a revered figure in primary care, scientific research, and public health advocacy. Schillinger brings a wealth of expertise in health communication and a genuine dedication to advancing the well-being of marginalized populations.

Please join us as we celebrate excellence in medical education and honor Haroutounian for this remarkable accomplishment and his outstanding contributions to the Washington University School of Medicine. For more information about the commencement ceremony and to access the live stream, please visit mdcommencement.wustl.edu.