INDIANAPOLIS -- Days after the killing of a prominent Indianapolis doctor, more testimonials are starting to come out about the life he led.
Dr. Kevin Rodgers, the program director emeritus at IU School of Medicine, was found by his wife just after noon Monday at their house in the 7500 block of Ballinshire S. Drive.
IU School of Medicine released the following letter about Rodgers' contributions and the impact he had on those around him.
PREVIOUS | Dr. Kevin Rodgers, IU School of Medicine Director, died from gunshot wounds, according to coroner
Kevin Rodgers, MD, was a Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine at IU School of Medicine in Indianapolis. He served as the Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director from 2002 until 2015. He was Program Director emeritus from 2015 until his death. He was serving as President of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine at the time of his death.
Dr. Rodgers was a prolific and effective educator, known for exceeding all expectations related to the time and passion he put toward training the next generation of emergency medicine physicians. Among all Emergency Medicine faculty, he often provided the largest number of formal didactic hours to IU MD students and residents, providing more than 40 formal presentations each year. He spearheaded the “teaching how to teach” efforts for Emergency Medicine residents to ensure they effectively engage adult learners. He published more than 40 papers and gave more than 175 national presentations on the clinical practice and teaching of emergency medicine. Dr. Rodgers also personally cooked for residents during retreats and social events—providing more than 25 meals per year.
When the Department of Emergency Medicine nominated Dr. Rodgers for an inspirational educator award in 2015, they emphasized, “We have observed and been impacted by his educational expertise in venues ranging from national EM organizations, the large group classroom, small group leadership, simulation lab, curriculum development, resident remediation planning, and the clinical arena. No member of our faculty possesses the breadth of skills in this wide array of venues or the passion with which he approaches the educational mission.” When Dr. Rodgers transitioned out of the EM Residency Director role, alumni responded to the news with numerous accolades about his skills, with many recurrent phrases, including “Dr. Rodgers was the best clinical educator I have ever encountered in all of my training.”
Dr. Rodgers received the Indiana University School of Medicine’s 2015 Inspirational Educator of the Year Award. In the same year, he was recognized as the Residency Director of the Year by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (he received this honor also in 2005) and is the award’s only two-time recipient. Dr. Rodgers received the IU School of Medicine Emergency Medicine Faculty Educator of the Year Award in 2015. He was named Educator of the Year, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Indiana University School of Medicine-Clarian Health-Methodist, in 2000 and 2013.
In June 2015, the graduating residents formally named the department’s annual faculty teaching award the “Kevin G Rodgers Outstanding Clinical Educator,” which is awarded in recognition of Dr. Rodgers’ longstanding contributions to the educational programs focusing on Emergency Medicine at IU School of Medicine. These awards are given each year to the clinical faculty who best embody Dr. Rodgers’ excellent clinical teaching skills.
Dr. Rodgers helped shape the careers of many IU School of Medicine graduates. Among his former resident mentees is Josh Mugele (Emergency Medicine Chief Resident 2012-2013, Emergency Medicine Disaster Medicine Fellow 2013-2014, and now current Emergency Medicine faculty and assistant residency program director at IU School of Medicine).
In the nomination for the Inspirational Educator of the Year Award, Dr. Mugele wrote, “Dr. Rodgers worked closely with me during my chief resident year. He spent numerous hours mentoring me on the intricacies of residency management, including creating fair and meaningful schedules, creating interesting and educational lectures, and mentoring at-risk residents. However, more than specific teaching points, Dr. Rodgers is deserving of this award for the love he brings to his job and to his residents. He views the residents as his family and treats them as such, often hosting events at his house, cooking for them, and genuinely caring for their well-being. Residents are truly enriched by being a part of this family and having Dr. Rodgers as a program director."
Other former residents commented: “Dr. Rodgers work as an educator and mentor are unparalleled. Perhaps the most telling of his personality are the displays of humility and genuine commitment to both his patients and learners that he displays each day at work.”
Dr. Rodgers received many national honors as well. The American Academy of Emergency Medicine honored him multiple times with a Service Award for Excellence in Education (2003, 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2014). He was honored as Best Teacher, American Academy of Emergency Medicine Written Board Review Course, in 2013, and American Academy of Emergency Medicine recognized his excellence with the Joe Lex Educator of the Year Award in 2009. Dr. Rodgers was also Teacher of the Year at the Joint Military Medical Centers Emergency Medicine Residency, Brooke Army Medical Center BAMC)/Welford Hall Air Force Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas in 1992 and 1995.
MORE TOP STORIES |Director of no-kill richmond animal shelter fired after dogs euthanized | PHOTOS: Meet the children looking for homes in Indiana | Women mad over missing McNuggets climb in drive-thru window, assault manager at Indy McDonald's | Davey Blackburn says he's engaged to be married, 2 years after his wife's murder | Chief: gas leak found in exploded house in Camby
Top Trending Videos
