Richard Breier, MD, Northeast Medical Group Internal Medicine, recently received the first Cynthia Togawa, MD, NEMG Teaching Award, named for an NEMG Internal Medicine physician who passed away last April.
The award is dedicated to a clinician who best demonstrates Dr. Togawa’s core teaching qualities:
- Exemplary clinical knowledge and skills, specifically outstanding communication with patients, students and colleagues
- A role model of empathetic, humanistic, patient-centered care
- Continual engagement with the learner through teaching opportunities, constructive feedback and dedication to their professional development
Dr. Togawa was admired by patients, office staff, colleagues and students for her bright and genuine personality, kindness, attentiveness and empathy. Her contributions to patient care, mentorship and education left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of working alongside her.
Students who rotated through NEMG practices were asked to nominate a preceptor for the teaching award. The selection committee included NEMG Internal Medicine physicians Jennifer Rockfeld, MD, associate clinical professor, Yale School of Medicine (YSM); Karen Brown, MD, medical director of Primary Care, NEMG, and assistant clinical professor, YSM; and Holly Craig, MD, PhD – all three of whom worked with Dr. Togawa.
“Dr. Breier is deeply committed to medical education, as evidenced by the hundreds of students he has taught in his practice over the past 30 years,” Dr. Rockfeld said. “He shares with them his joy of teaching and passion for primary care, and we are very grateful to have him at NEMG as a role model for future clinicians.”
Dr. Breier said he and Dr. Togawa worked and trained together under the direction of Dr. Rockfeld as NEMG’s first cohort of senior clinical preceptors.
“It was a privilege getting to know Dr. Cynthia Togawa,” Dr. Breier said. “Her deep-seated compassion and commitment to the mentorship of her medical students were extraordinarily evident. I am honored and humbled to accept this award and dedicate it to the continuation of her values, humanity and excellence in medicine. I am grateful to be able to carry forward her legacy.”
