Smith Receives Education Award to Develop Simulation Program for Neurology Residents

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 14, 2015) —The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) has named Dr. Jonathan H. Smith of the University of Kentucky a recipient of its Faculty Innovation in Education award to support the development of innovative education projects that provide effective residency and fellowship training, as well as lifelong learning for practicing psychiatrists and neurologists.

Every year up to two neurologists are selected for this prestigious award. The two-year award provides a maximum of $100,000.  Smith's project will explore the use of unannounced simulated patients to evaluate neurology residents' communication and interpersonal skills.

Dr. Larry Goldstein, chair of the UK Department of Neurology, said Smith's work reflects the department’s long-term emphasis in providing the best possible experience for trainees. “Jonathan is an excellent teacher with a creative approach to neurology resident education, and this award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of that," said Goldstein.

Smith is currently an assistant professor in Neurology and the program director of adult neurology residency at UK. He is a graduate of the University of Rochester with a B.S. in biochemistry and a minor in clinical psychology. He received his M.D. from the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.  He completed his neurology residency and headache fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, where he also served as chief resident.

Some of Smith's previous awards include the American Academy of Neurology’s (AAN) Annual Meeting Resident Scholarship Award in 2011 and the Chief Resident Award at the Mayo Clinic Department of Neurology in June 2012, and the Excellence in Teaching in the Department of Neurology award at UK in June 2015.

The ABPN’s main mission is to develop and provide valid and reliable procedures for certification and maintenance of certification in psychiatry and neurology. They have been a non-profit since 1934 and are one of 24 boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

Media contact:  Laura Dawahare, Laura.Dawahare@uky.edu, (859) 257-5307