Benjamin Gallagher, MD, assistant professor (general medicine), recently received the Society for General Internal Medicine (SGIM) Northeast Regions Award for Excellence in Clinician Education. This honor highlights his contributions to medical education and patient care.

Being recognized among so many distinguished academic medical centers in this region is incredibly humbling and gratifying, Gallagher said. Its an honor to stand out in such a competitive field.

Gallagher's academic and professional journey reveals a consistent pattern of distinction and commitment. After graduating from Yale College with a bachelors degree in molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, he pursued medical education at the Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, where he stayed on for internal medicine residency. During his residency at Columbia, Gallagher developed a passion for general internal medicine and a keen interest in medical education, as demonstrated by his participation in the Advanced Clinician Educator program and receipt of multiple teaching awards.

During my medical student days, the vastness and variety of internal medicine captivated me, Gallagher said. Its a sentiment echoed by many in academic general internal medicinea love for imparting knowledge and discussing our specialty.

Since returning to Yale School of Medicine after residency training, Gallagher has been a pivotal figure at the New Haven Primary Care Consortium (NHPCC). Clinically, he has focused his efforts on the management of hypertension. Within Yale New Haven Health, he contributed to developing the Care Signature Pathway and established a Chronic Disease Management clinic for residents.

Gallagher's commitment to patient care extends beyond his clinical duties. At the NHPCC, his exceptional teaching of residents has been recognized through the Teacher of the Year Award, which he has won three times. He also plays a critical role in teaching medical students at Yale through his responsibilities as a Clinical Skills Lead and service on several education committees. Outside of Yale, Gallaghers scholarly pursuits in medical education and hypertension curriculum development have resulted in publications and the creation of educational resources.

This award from SGIM identifies Dr. Gallagher as one of Yales most gifted clinician educators and as a leader nationally in the field of general internal medicine, said Patrick G. OConnor, MD, MPH, MACP, Dan Adams and Amanda Adams, Professor of Medicine and Chief, General Internal Medicine. Ben has excelled in every aspect of his career at Yale, from master clinician to master educator, and is a wonderful academic leader and role model for trainees at all levels and for faculty. He brings great pride to us all!

Since first joining SGIM as a resident, Gallagher has regularly contributed at the regional and national levels throughout his career.

I've made it a priority to remain actively involved at the regional level with SGIM, Gallagher said. Whether its evaluating abstracts, presenting, or playing a role in moderation and judging, each opportunity has allowed me to contribute to the society and learn immensely from my peers.

At the SGIM Northeast Regions yearly meeting in November 2023, Gallagher supported the launch of an inaugural teaching competition for trainees and junior faculty to demonstrate their teaching methodologies and share innovative practices.

The new teaching competition allowed clinician-educators to show how they teach rather than just what they teach, Gallagher said.

Gallagher aims to continue his impactful work at Yale School of Medicine, the NHPCC, and SGIM through his clinical care and medical education initiatives.

I am privileged to be able to care for patients and to share my enthusiasm for patient care and general internal medicine, along with the knowledge Ive acquired over the years, Gallagher said.

General Internal Medicine is committed to the core missions of patient care, research, education, and community health from the generalist perspective and is one of the 11 sections within Yale School of Medicines Department of Internal Medicine. To learn more about their mission and work, visit General Internal Medicine.

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Dr. Ben Gallagher Receives SGIM Northeast Region's Award for Excellence in Clinician Education - Yale School of Medicine