Springfield Clinical Campus hosts annual Faculty Appreciation Dinner

The University of Missouri School of Medicine recently hosted its annual Springfield Clinical Campus (SCC) Faculty Appreciation Dinner. Each year, Springfield-area physicians are honored for their time and dedication towards teaching and mentoring students at SCC for their last two years of medical school when they complete their clerkship experiences.

With the support of 14 dedicated associate clerkship directors from both Mercy and CoxHealth, Mizzou medical students rotate through core medical specialties in their third year and electives in their fourth year. Following Spring ’25 Commencement, more than 140 students will have graduated from the Springfield program.

“Since opening our doors in 2016, the Springfield Clinical Campus has experienced steady and meaningful growth over the past nine years, and I know this is in large part due to the dedication of our volunteer faculty,” said Richard J. Barohn, MD, executive vice chancellor for health affairs and Hugh E. and Sarah D. Stephenson dean of the School of Medicine. “Our SCC medical students consistently speak highly of their learning experiences with physicians in southwest Missouri, and we’re grateful to all our partners for their time, teaching and mentorship.”

The Faculty Appreciation Dinner offers an opportunity to thank the physicians by recognizing them with “Preceptor of the Year” awards, selected through a nomination process by SCC medical students.
2025 Preceptors of the Year:

•    Dr. Meghan Guthrie-Baker, Family Medicine Preceptor of the Year
•    Dr. Jean Guan, Internal Medicine Preceptor of the Year
•    Dr. Benjamin Lisle, Neurology Preceptor of the Year
•    Dr. Molly Greenwade, Obstetrics and Gynecology Preceptor of the Year
•    Dr. Ashley Merrick, Pediatrics Preceptor of the Year
•    Dr. Kyle John, Psychiatry Preceptor of the Year
•    Dr. Anthony Bentley, Surgery Preceptor of the Year
•    Dr. James Bonucchi, Subspeciality Preceptor of the Year

Additionally, Dr. Kody Finstad was recognized as Lecture of the Year and Dr. Mark Ellis received the Empowering Educator award.

David Haustein, MD, MBA, associate dean for Springfield Clinical Campus, closed the evening by thanking the SCC and Columbia-based staff and administration who also impact Mizzou medical students each day. Spearheaded by the commitment from physicians, SCC will soon celebrate its eighth graduating class of Mizzou medical students.

“Physicians, you’re shaping the next generation of healthcare heroes,” said Haustein. “You pass on not just knowledge and skill, but the inspiration that fuels the future of medicine. Your influence reaches far beyond today. You’re helping ensure our families, friends and neighbors are cared for well into the future.”