The Teaching Excellence Award Developing Teacher

An overarching theme of the many nomination letters for Brian A. Houston, M.D., is his dedication to teaching and his amazing ability to explain complicated concepts with ease. A fellow in advanced heart failure and cardiac transplant said that his teaching is “effortless and natural.” Supervisors, residents, fellows, and other colleagues echo these sentiments – “he never depletes his mental energy teaching”; “his enthusiasm is infectious”; “his grand rounds presentations keep a large audience rapt.”

Houston’s teaching success is rooted in his teaching philosophy. He finds his work to be a fascinating story, too good to go untold, and believes that learning itself is supposed to be inherently enjoyable. That passion drives him to foster discovery and exploration rather than the drudgery of memorization. Additionally, he has employed the Socratic method to the benefit of his audience. He gives permission to, even encourages learners to express their lack of understanding. Houston sees in struggle the perfect opportunity to learn. He becomes genuinely excited at the prospect of his audience understanding what was previously unclear.

MUSC found a treasure when the Division of Cardiology recruited Houston in 2016. Prior to his arrival, he earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins University as well as fellowships in cardiology and advanced heart failure and transplant. Since arriving at MUSC, Houston has led the mechanical circulatory support program and has propelled it to national excellence. He recruited a cohesive interprofessional team, and the program achieved a Center of Excellence designation under his leadership. Further, Dean Ray DuBois selected Houston to be the lead cardiologist for the multi-disciplinary sarcoidosis program, which has provided evidence-based care to hundreds of patients.

Houston has nurtured a passionate commitment to medical education at all levels and is a model of a scholarly clinician-educator. MUSC will only grow richer from the continued cultivation of his excellence. Therefore, the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation presents Brian A. Houston, M.D., with the Teaching Excellence Award in the Developing Teacher category on August 18, 2020.

For a full list of the 2020 Faculty Awards & Recognition Award Recipients please visit here.