Paula Clawson, rural program coordinator for the Office of Family Health Education and Research at the Huntsville Regional Medical Campus, has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Dean’s Excellence Awards for Staff.
Clawson has been a dedicated advocate of UAB’s mission since joining the Huntsville campus as an office associate I in the Medical Student Services department in 2006. In 2013, she joined the Office of Family Health Education and Research in her current role. Her strong organizational and support skills have made her a key contributor to several projects, including the highly respected and successful Huntsville Rural Premedical Internship, the Rural Medicine Program, the Integrated Residency in Family Medicine program, and the CU2RE program.
“Her willingness to take on difficult projects and see them through to successful completion has repeatedly impressed me,” said Roger Smalligan, M.D., regional dean of the Heersink School of Medicine Huntsville Regional Medical Campus, in his nomination letter. “She finds true joy in preparing the next generation of physicians to serve in rural Alabama, and her work demonstrates this passion and zeal.”
Clawson embodies Heersink’s core mission through her career and personal life. Her commitment to creating a positive, growth minded environment and a culture of inclusivity does not go unnoticed. She was awarded the Shining Star of Education Innovation for the Huntsville Rural Premedical Internship by the Association of American Medical Colleges Group on Regional Medical Campuses in April 2019. In addition to going above and beyond in her career, Clawson serves by helping those in need in the community and sat on the School Safety Task Force for the Huntsville City School District.
When asked what being selected as a Dean’s Excellence Awards for Staff winner means to her, Clawson replied, “It is humbling that my supervisors and colleagues nominated me for this recognition, and, quite frankly, it feels good! I’m grateful that I’m able to lend assistance in several departments, allowing me to more fully understand the important work done on behalf of the students at UAB Heersink School of Medicine.”
The Heersink School of Medicine Dean’s Excellence Awards for Staff recognize and honor individual Heersink staff members who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and significantly supported Heersink’s core mission areas of education, clinical care, and research.