Thomas Lynch, M.D., has received an Outstanding Teaching Award from the Association of Surgical Education. He was one of three recipients honored at the April meeting in Baltimore. 
“It’s an honor to receive this award from an organization that I’ve been involved with for 10 years,” Dr. Lynch said.
Dr. Lynch earned his undergraduate degree from John Carroll University in 1969 and his medical degree from Georgetown School of Medicine in 1973. He now serves as a professor of surgery and surgical clerkship director. He also has served as chief of the section of vascular surgery since 1988.
Dr. Lynch understands and conveys to medical students the critical connection between modern surgical technology and communication.
“Despite all the tests and technology available, you still have to sit down and communicate with the patient,” Dr. Lynch said. “The challenge now is to convert all the technology into something the patient’s family can understand.”
Dr. Lynch stays abreast of new surgical advancements, but values the fundamental procedures every surgeon must perform effectively. He believes that while operative procedures change, the importance of the basic history and physical examination remains.
Dr. Lynch actively engages students to ensure that they thoroughly understand a patient’s condition and treatment plan.
“The students would probably call it confrontational. I would use the word challenging,” he said. “I give them a certain amount of basic information and then try to put it into clinical perspective.”
Dr. Lynch continually challenges students to apply their textbook and lecture knowledge. Along with procedures and concepts, he also teaches students the essence of critical thinking.
“It’s one thing to sit down and read facts and listen to lectures,” he said. “It’s completely different to apply them in clinical situations. I teach them the process of getting from problem to solution.”