Dr. Perrino’s selection was grounded on a recommendation conveyed by the Award Committee, composed of previous recipients and Faculty Senate members.

“The Faculty Senate, acting on behalf of the University Faculty, established this annual award to recognize a distinguished record of teaching by individual faculty members at the University of Miami,” said JoNel Newman, Chair of the Faculty Senate.

Two awards may be given – one to recognize exceptional graduate teaching (including clinical and mentorship) and one in recognition of outstanding undergraduate teaching. This Award honors and recognizes Dr. Perrino’s graduate teaching achievements.

“Dr. Perrino’s success as a core faculty member with the Miller School of Medicine in the Department of Public Health Sciences since 2002 is reflected in the honors and accolades she has received over the past many years,” said Newman. “The Senate members recognize her accomplishments as an ahead-of-the-curve educator that deployed innovated pedagogical approaches in classes, such as flipped classrooms and problem-based learning, while others were only beginning to discuss these new approaches.”

Numerous letters in support of Dr. Perrino's nomination were sent to the Faculty Senate. The letters' support demonstrated to the Senate members how much Dr. Perrino's students valued her collaborative efforts and encouragement to examine health and health disparities using a holistic lens that observes and evaluates risk factors on multiple levels over the course of a patient's lifetime.

The Faculty Senate holds an annual awards ceremony and reception to present and recognize the recipients of several awards including the James W. McLamore Outstanding Service Award, the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award, and the Outstanding Teaching Award. Dr. Perrino has been invited to speak about her pedagogy at the in-person ceremony on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, on the Coral Gables campus.

During the awards ceremony, the Faculty Senate will present Dr. Perrino with a special plaque. Her name will be included on a perpetual plaque that will be mounted on the wall next to the President's reception area on the second floor of the Ashe Administration Building, along with the names of all previous recipients. Dr. Perrino will also receive a cash prize as part of the award, as established by the Faculty Senate.

“On behalf of all my Senate colleagues, I extend to Dr. Perrino our heartfelt congratulations on this exceptionally well-deserved recognition,” said Newman.

“Dr. Perrino is what we aspire for in a teacher – an innovative and impactful educator,” she concluded.

Written by Deycha Torres Hernández

Published on February 17, 2023