Thomas F. McGovern, Ed.D., a professor in the Department of Psychiatry, was awarded the Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award. The statewide award honors professors each academic year for their dedication to the teaching profession and for their outstanding academic, scientific and scholarly achievement.

Steven L. Berk, M.D., TTUHSC executive vice president, provost and dean of the School of Medicine said this award is considered one of the most prestigious awards bestowed upon faculty in Texas. Only 10 professors receive this award each year among a pool of approximately 10,000 educators.

“The Piper Professor Award is presented to a professor for his superior teaching at the college level,” Berk said. “It is fitting that Dr. McGovern, who is an outstanding professor and mentor, receives this prestigious award. Our faculty and students have a great respect for him.”

McGovern, who has worked at the TTUHSC School of Medicine for more than 35 years, serves as the Giles McCrary/Tom McGovern Endowed Chair in Ethics/Humanities and also is the director of the Center for Ethics, Humanities and Spirituality.

The center’s outreach embraces TTUHSC, communities of faith, hospitals and nursing homes. McGovern pioneered the establishment of an interdisciplinary faculty that teaches future health care professionals about the ethical, humane and spiritual dimensions of healing.