Medical Students Honor Impactful Patients Through Legacy Teachers™ Program

The University of Missouri School of Medicine hosted a special luncheon today in Columbia to honor patients who inspired and provided important lessons to third-year medical students.

The 19th annual Legacy Teachers™ event gave third-year medical students the opportunity to recognize a patient as one of their greatest teachers by submitting an essay, artwork or poetry. Ten students participated in today’s event.

The MU School of Medicine Springfield Clinical Campus held its Legacy Teachers™ luncheon March 27, where five medical students honored patients who taught them lasting lessons.

In Columbia, Richard J. Barohn, MD, the Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Hugh E. and Sarah D. Stephenson Dean at the MU School of Medicine welcomed the special guests and their family members.

“This program is one of our best examples of how academic medical centers play a unique role in improving health,” Barohn said. “Only comprehensive academic medical centers like MU simultaneously provide care, education and research in ways that improve the lives of patients today and for generations to come.”

The Legacy Teachers received a certificate from the medical school recognizing their contributions to student education. Students involved also received a certificate and a Legacy Teacher pin, created in 2021 in recognition of the 15th anniversary of the program’s creation.

“These Legacy Teachers have made a profound impact on our students both personally and professionally,” said Betsy Garrett, MD, professor emerita in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and director of the Legacy Teachers program. “Our goal was to honor and recognize the immense contribution of our Legacy Teachers and their families.”