Ajay J. Talati, MD, program director of the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship and professor in the department of Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology in the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, has been recognized as the 2017 Abbott Nutrition Pediatric Educator of the Year by the Southern Society for Pediatric Research.
“I am very honored at being recognized for my work with students, trainees and junior faculty,” Dr. Talati said. “It gives me more encouragement to continue my passion of teaching and guiding students and residents.”
The award, which was presented during the 2017 Annual Southern Regional meeting held recently in New Orleans, is given to an educator who has been recognized with providing pre and postdoctoral students with pediatric health education, contributing to the development and administration of curriculum in pediatric education programs, and serving as a role model in and outside the classroom.
Dr. Talati completed a neonatal-perinatal fellowship at The Regional Medical Center, joined UTHSC in 1999, and became the fellowship program director in 2007. From 2008-2009 he served as president for the Southern Society for Pediatric Research. He is the winner of several teaching awards and published author of many peer-reviewed articles. The focus of his research is on host pathogen interactions and antibiotic use.
“Working as a pediatrician and neonatologist gives me an opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child and his or her entire family,” Dr. Talati said. “Hopefully with good medical care all our children would become productive citizens of the future.”
Organized in 1960, the Southern Society for Pediatric Research, provides pediatric educators and investigators from the Southern United States region an opportunity to present their research and work to its estimated 400 members.