Dwight Davis, associate dean for admissions and student affairs in the Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, has been named a McCann Scholar for outstanding mentorship in medical education. The national award was presented by the Joy McCann Foundation, a private family foundation that established the McCann Scholars program in 2003 to recognize and reward mentors in the field of medicine, nursing and science. Candidates for the McCann Scholars award must demonstrate success as an educator and mentor in teaching, research or patient care; be leaders in their academic institution and/or their professional field; and be recognized as role models for excellence and professionalism. The McCann Scholars were chosen from among candidates nominated by a panel of professionals in medicine, nursing and science. The process is anonymous and confidential.
The McCann Foundation cites Davis for "his ability to recruit a broadly diverse student population by helping to foster an environment that explicitly embraces an appreciation of differences and effectively conveys this culture to applicants."
"The McCann Foundation wants to promote the concept of mentoring and nurture the practice of mentoring by calling attention to outstanding mentors and rewarding their efforts," said Joy McCann Daughtery, McCann Foundation chair. "The foundation is proud to invest in the work of these professionals who literally invest themselves in the success of others."
"Our medical students have known Dr. Davis as a trusted adviser and a strong advocate for education for more than 20 years," said Darrell G. Kirch, dean and senior vice president for health affairs, Penn State College of Medicine, and chief executive officer, Penn State Hershey Medical Center. "This award propels recognition of Dr. Davis' record for student mentorship to a national level, and the spotlight on his accomplishments and his passion for education is so well deserved."
Davis joined Penn State Hershey Medical Center in 1982 as assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology. He has been the medical director of cardiac rehabilitation since 1988. From 1994 to 1999, Davis served as assistant dean for admissions. In addition to his role as associate dean for admissions and student affairs, Davis currently chairs the Medical Student Selection Committee and is a member of the heart failure and transplantation service.
Over the years, Davis has received dozens of awards for his contributions as a physician and professor. He was awarded Teacher of the Year from the Penn State College of Medicine's Classes of 1993 through 1998. Davis received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the College of Medicine's Classes of 1999 and 2000. In 2000 and 2001, he was awarded the Distinguished Professor Award.
Davis is involved actively in various academic medical organizations and associations. Late last year, he was elected vice chair for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Group on Student Affairs (GSA). The GSA is one of several professional development groups within the AAMC that represents the interests of medical schools and medical students in admissions, financial aid, minority affairs, student affairs and student records. Over the next four years, Davis will progress to the offices of GSA chair-elect, GSA national chair and immediate past GSA national chair.
Davis completed a bachelor's degree in engineering and physics at North Carolina A&T State University in 1970. He earned his medical doctorate at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Prior to joining Penn State Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine, Davis completed his internship and residency at Boston University Medical Center/Boston City Hospital and fulfilled his cardiology fellowship at Duke University Medical Center.