Dr. Lorrie Langdale Receives 2018 UW Medicine Award for Excellence in Mentoring Women Faculty

Dr. Lorrie Langdale, Professor & Chief, Section of General Surgery, Veteran’s Affairs, Puget Sound Health Care System, received the 2018 UW Medicine Award for Excellence in Mentoring Women Faculty.

This award recognizes that School of Medicine faculty and trainees benefit significantly from the efforts of faculty mentors, and that the exceptional success of the UW Medicine enterprise in the areas of education, clinical care and research, derive from the immeasurable and critical contributions of our faculty mentors. Attributes of excellence in mentorship include a long-term commitment of mentoring and faculty development, wise counsel, and encouragement of mentees to develop autonomy as faculty members and independent scholars. The award also seeks to recognize those who are proactive in crating the next generation of leaders and mentors.

Comments from Dr. Bulger’s nomination letters:

“I will point out some of Dr. Langdale’s accomplishments that set a foundation for her consideration for a mentorship award. One relevant factor is the period of time that Dr. Langdale has been on faculty at the University of Washington. In her thirty plus years on faculty, Dr. Langdale has provided not just a depth of student and resident exposure and mentorship, but also a breadth in terms of the amount of time and the consistent dedication over thirty years to the development of women in medical school and women in residency, particularly in surgical residency. The Department of Surgery has an annual teaching award given from the residents to the faculty for the most outstanding educator across a surgical faculty of 8 divisions and approximately 120 faculty members. This John K. Stevenson Teaching Award is a high honor for any of our individual faculty to receive. Dr. Langdale has received this from our residents two times, representing her incredible commitment to resident education and our own resident’s recognition of her value as a mentor and educator.” — Dr. Douglas Wood, The Henry N. Harkins Professor and Chair, UW Department of Surgery

“She serves as a role model and as a leader in several regional and national surgical societies including serving as President of the State chapter of the American College of Surgeons, President of the Seattle Surgical Society, Education Pilar lead for the ACS Board of Govenors and Treasurer of the Shock Society. She has paved the way for women in surgery seeking leadership opportunities and has been a resource for me in navigating the politics of academic medicine. We frequently attend the American College of Surgeons meetings together where she was instrumental in introducing me to key leaders and providing networking opportunities.” — Dr. Eileen Bulger, Professor & Chief, Trauma, Trauma, Burn & Critical Care Services, UW Department of Surgery

“Dr. Langdale has always been revered as an excellent clinician and surgeon and as one of only four female full professors in our department she is naturally looked to as a role model. However, what sets Dr. Langdale apart is her unwavering support of junior faculty both clinically and professionally. I am the only full time thoracic surgeon at the VA Puget Sound, which when I started two years ago seemed rather daunting and at times isolating. Prior to my first day at work Dr. Langdale pulled me aside to tell me that I should never feel alone. That she was always available for help or to talk something through. Since then she has become my sounding board for tough clinical questions, career development and when I just need someone to talk to. I am so fortunate to have Lorrie as a mentor, colleague and friend. I know my career will be the better for it and I only hope I can be as helpful to my future mentees as she has been to me.” — Dr. Kathleen Berfield, Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery, UW Department of Surgery

“I first came under Dr. Langdale’s wing when I was an intern. During my first rotation as a resident she thoughtfully provided me with accurate, pointed, criticism of my behavior, and delivering this constructive criticism in such a genuinely caring way that the message was transformative, without any associated hard feelings. She has organized several wellness / team-building events for residents where she has funded from her own pocket group Pilates classes. Even among busy surgical residents these classes are well-attended because of the unanimous adoration of Dr. Langdale by the residents. While on research Dr. Langdale was the co-PI on several of my projects. She was invariably responsive, thoughtful, and thorough in her critique of project plans and manuscripts. She was ready and willing to utilize her well-established national-level contacts within professional societies to further our projects and help me to accomplish my goals.” — Dr. Lacy LaGrone, (R5), General Surgery, UW Department of Surgery