The Gary J. Tucker Career Teaching Award, named in honor of the Chair of our department from 1985 through 1997, recognizes exceptional career achievement in teaching and education and honors Dr. Tucker’s significant contributions to our academic programs, his leadership and dedication as a teacher, clinician, and scholar, his love of teaching, and his ability to inspire and encourage trainees.

The award is given to a member of the academic or clinical faculty who has demonstrated, throughout his or her career, outstanding skills as a teacher and dedication to education. This year, the award was given to Elizabeth McCauley, PhD.

Dr. McCauley has been a faculty member for nearly 40 years. In 2006, she received the UW Medicine Award for Excellence in Mentoring for her long-term commitment to mentoring and faculty development, wise counsel, and encouragement of mentees to develop autonomy as faculty members and independent scholars. As the Psychology Internship Director from 1984-89 and again from 2013-18, she influenced dozens of future psychologists and showed them a path forward in their careers. She teaches in the classroom, in clinic, and through research mentoring. She has mentored over 40 trainees and currently mentors six junior faculty members. Excerpts from her nomination packet say she “juggles many roles with style and grace,” and is “kind,” “willing to share her wisdom and knowledge,” and “an inspiration to me and those around me.”

Past recipients of the award include Jack Carr, PhD, Johan Verhulst, MD, Chris Varley, MD, Joan Romano, PhD, Deb Cowley, MD, Dick Miyoshi, RPh, and Marcella Pascualy, MD.