Joseph Grande, M.D., Ph.D., and Travis McKenzie, M.D., receive Teacher of Year awards from Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

Mayo Clinic School of Medicine awarded Teacher of the Year awards to Joseph Grande, M.D., Ph.D. (PATH ’89, LABM ’91), and Travis McKenzie, M.D. (S ’09, S ’12).

Dr. Grande has appointments in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, and Division of Experimental Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He also is a professor of laboratory medicine and pathology in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Mayo Clinic School of Medicine students who nominated him for the award said, “Dr. Grande’s passion for medicine and teaching are contagious. He spreads the joy of learning as he helps students master important subject matter,” and “Dr. Grande’s enthusiasm for teaching makes pathology a highlight of first year. He makes pathology accessible while cracking lots of good jokes along the way. We are so lucky to learn from him!”

Dr. McKenzie is a consultant in the Division of Breast, Endocrine, Metabolic, and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and an assistant professor of surgery in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Students said about Dr. McKenzie: “He is more engaging in the operating room than any surgeon I have ever worked with. He comments on the importance of humility and patience among medical professionals. His empathetic way of serving others is something I will always remember,” and “Dr. McKenzie taught me in one short rotation how to be a better surgeon, doctor and teacher. He is the best teacher I had throughout my clinical years at Mayo Clinic.”