Newswise — It’s not every day that you win an award after being inspired by the person it’s actually named after.
Dr. Jeffrey A. Strakowski was named the 2019 Ernest Johnson Outstanding Educator in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) by the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM). The AANEM is the premier nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, education, and technology in the fields of neuromuscular (NM), musculoskeletal (MSK), and electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine. Its annual Achievement Award winners highlight prolific members of AANEM and their contributions to advancing these fields of medicine.
Dr. Strakowski credits a visit from Dr. Johnson himself during Dr. Strakowski’s days as a medical student at Indiana University as helping pique his interest in PMR.
“He seemed to dominate a multi-specialty sports medicine conference with a number of concepts that seemed foreign to many at the time, but later gained widespread acceptance,” he recalled.
What has followed is nothing short of a stellar career in the realm of education for Dr. Strakowski, with a decades-long commitment to various capacities at Ohio State University and 3 PMR Department Teacher of the Year awards.
“I think that teaching is probably in my blood, as both of my parents are teachers,” Dr. Strakowski said. “They instilled in my brothers and I, the value of education at a very young age. I feel that I have been lucky enough to learn from very interested and skilled teachers all through my academic career, and they have served as great role models for fostering my interest. I have noticed that the individuals that I looked up to and were inspired by the most, whether they were physicians, coaches or in other fields, always seemed to be the best teachers.”
Dr. Strakowski has been an AANEM member since 1996, serving on the Board of Directors from 2004-2007. In addition to his contributions to various AANEM Annual Meetings over the years, he has also served as a chair or member of various committees, an oral examiner for the ABEM Exam, and on the Muscle & Nerve Editorial Board for 8 years. He most recently helped cultivate the committee to develop ABEM’s first-ever exam for the Neuromuscular Ultrasound Certificate of Added Qualification.
It’s no coincidence that Dr. Strakowski is helping advance the science of ultrasound; he is the sole author of 2 books: “Introduction to Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Getting Started,” and “Ultrasound Evaluation of Focal Neuropathies.” He has authored 7 textbook chapters related to neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and electrodiagnostic medicine, and has 2 more book chapters awaiting publication. AANEM also has 2 video presentations thanks to Dr. Strakowski regarding ultrasound evaluation of the upper limb and lower limb peripheral nerves.
To learn more about AANEM and its Achievement Award winners, visit www.aanem.org.
About American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM)
Based in Rochester, Minnesota, the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) is the premier nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of neuromuscular (NM), musculoskeletal and electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine. The organization and its members work to improve the quality of patient care and advance the science of NM diseases and EDX medicine by serving physicians and allied health professionals who care for those with muscle and nerve disorders.
For more information about AANEM, visit www.aanem.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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