Medical educators honored at 2025 Physicians Alumni Weekend

Four University of Missouri School of Medicine alumni and current medical educators were recently recognized at the medical school’s annual Physicians Alumni Weekend.

Each year, the Mizzou Medical Alumni Organization honors alumni for their exemplary achievements, contributions to the field of medicine and support of the School of Medicine.

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Margaret A. Day, MD

Day currently serves as the vice chair for clinical affairs and Jack M. and Winifred S. Colwill endowed professor in Mizzou’s Department of Family Community Medicine. She joined the School of Medicine faculty in 2011 and later served as medical director at MU Health Care – Keene Street Medical Center from 2013–23 and medical director of ambulatory services from 2020-24.

In 2021, Day was nominated by the School of Medicine Class of 2022 and inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Her Mizzou ties run deep, as she achieved her bachelor’s degree and completed medical school and her residency all in mid-Missouri.

Mark R. Ellis, MD

Since 1999, Ellis has practiced outpatient family medicine in partnership with CoxHealth in Springfield, Missouri. As an associate clerkship director, Ellis has volunteered his time the past nine years to teach medical students at Mizzou’s School of Medicine Springfield Clinical Campus. He also serves as an assistant professor of Clinical Family and Community Medicine.

Ellis has played a critical role in advancing medical education at the School of Medicine, serving as chair of the Curriculum Committee and co-chair of MOmentum. After earning his medical degree in 1992 from the University of Arkansas, Ellis completed his residency and fellowship at Mizzou’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.

Russell P. Hall, MD

Hall earned his medical degree from the Mizzou School of Medicine in 1975 and is currently the J. Lamar Callaway Distinguished Professor of Dermatology at the Duke University School of Medicine. He also trained at Mizzou in internal medicine and dermatology from 1976-78.

Hall has completed more than 40 years at Duke’s School of Medicine, beginning as a professor of Medicine in 1984. He was named chief of the Division of Dermatology in 1998 and held that role for more than a decade. Hall was later appointed chair of the Department of Dermatology and served from 2009 – 21.

Kathleen Quinn, PhD

For nearly three decades, Quinn played a pivotal role in developing and growing the Mizzou School of Medicine’s rural mission. Before retiring in 2024, she served as the associate dean for rural health for 10 years.

Over her tenure, Quinn secured nearly $47 million in grants, and also led the Office of Health Outreach, Policy and Education (HOPE), Rural Scholars Program and served as senior program director for MU Extension’s Community and Professional Health Education. Prior to her retirement, she was the recipient of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Rural Health Champion Award.

In addition to recognizing this year’s alumni award winners, Mizzou School of Medicine alumni attended lectures from distinguished alumni and participated in interactive panel discussions.

The Physician Alunni Weekend’s premier event, the 68th annual Medical Alumni Dinner, celebrated reunions of 12 medical school graduating classes – 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020.