Inaugural MVF Awards Recognize Impactful Teaching

Two DCG faculty members were recently named as the inaugural recipients of the Class Most Valuable Faculty (MVF) Award. Dr. Fadi AL Farawati (left) and Dr. Abu Nazmul Hossain (right) were recognized by dental students for their teaching, mentorship, and advocacy.

This new award is a student-led recognition whereby each class of dental students chooses the professor who has made a significant impact on the education and success of dental students over the past academic year.

Classes will choose a professor each year for this honor. Each DCG class will nominate faculty who have challenged and encouraged them to learn, grow and progress as part of their continuing professional development.

The class of 2023 selected AL Farawati as their most impactful ally in education over the past year. In describing their reasons for selecting him, the class noted his passion for teaching, his stewardship of the profession, and his commitment to treating every student with dignity and respect.

The class wrote: “His teaching style fostered a love for dentistry that was energetic. He empowered his students to continuously challenge themselves, to take ownership of their learning by mastering their craft. Dr. AL Farawati is an instructor that truly cares about his students’ success while in dental school and in their future endeavors.”

The classes of 2022 and 2024 both selected Nazmul Hossain as the faculty member who has most contributed to their success over the last year. Students cited Nazmul Hossain’s compassion for students, his enthusiasm for teaching, and his dedication to students’ mastery as reasons for choosing him for this award.

“We have been fortunate enough to have Dr. Hossain play a role in our dental education since we started as first year students… patiently helping us learn the basics of ideal preparations and the restorative techniques, guiding us as we navigated the new world of live patients, and encouraging us to be confident in our developing skills. He was always patient, kind, and respectful,” the class of 2022 said.