Dean Sarah Peyre among honorees at Rochester Academy of Medicine Awards Higher Education Share Sarah Peyre, dean of the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education, was honored with a prestigious award from The Rochester Academy of Medicine for her leadership and innovation in healthcare education and the education of medical professionals. Peyre was the 2020 recipient of the Madeline H. Schmitt Award for Interprofessional Education, given to those who have achieved eminence in the field of interprofessional education and practice. The award is named in honor of Madeline Schmitt, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP, a decorated professor emerita at the University’s School of Nursing, who has long studied and championed interprofessional education and collaborative practice. The award requires that its recipient has “demonstrably ‘broken barriers in health care’ and continues to change the landscape of health care education and practice through steadfast teaching of the importance of collaborative teamwork and by routinely fostering the inclusion of patients, families, health care providers and community partners in the delivery of the highest care.” “Rochester is home to a truly world-class community of health care professionals, and the achievements of Dr. Peyre support that fact,” says Marc Ambrosi, executive director of The Rochester Academy of Medicine. “The Academy congratulates Dr. Peyre on winning this award and is truly thankful for her contributions to the advancement of interprofessional education and collaborative practice.” “This is a particularly meaningful honor for me,” says Peyre. “Dr. Schmitt is a very dear mentor and role model whose impact on my professional lens and experiences is immeasurable. As can be seen in Dr. Schmitt’s lifetime work in collaborative practice and interprofessional education, she paved the way for the field of interprofessional education to become the dominant force within health professions practice and education.” Peyre says Schmitt was instrumental in contributing to her growth in the field of interprofessional education, allowing her to imagine educational systems that can support and facilitate true teaming in health care. “She always asked me the hard questions, brought critical analysis to the discussion, and encouraged me to grow,” Peyre says. “Without her trailblazing work in interprofessional education, the University of Rochester would not be able to have accomplished all we have gained over the past several years.” In July 2020, Peyre became dean of the Warner School. Prior to that, she most recently served as associate dean for innovative education at the University’s School of Medicine and Dentistry and executive director of its Institute for Innovative Education. Peyre also created and led the Center for Experiential Learning, which functioned as the educational delivery system for the University of Rochester Medical Center. She has held faculty appointments as professor of surgery, nursing, medical humanities, and bioethics since joining the University in 2011. At Rochester, Peyre has demonstrated significant expertise in interprofessional teaching and learning. A member of the leadership team that has led the Medical Center through a culture shift in learning, practicing, and celebrating interprofessional teamwork, Peyre created the annual team-based care conference, which brings national speakers on interprofessional education and practice as keynotes to Rochester. Integral to her leadership, Peyre has demonstrated herself to be an open, resilient and collaborative leader in interprofessional settings, where colleagues rely on and trust her capacity for strategic visioning. She also built consensus around a new, progressive educational mission that has helped to foster collaboration and new ventures among schools and disciplines across the University. Peyre’s peers describe her as “unusually insightful and forward-thinking, with a unique ability to ‘see around the corner,’ to conceptualize, and grasp what is coming next, and then redesign and identify resources in advance to ensure that initiatives and changes are successful.” A scholar in medical education, Peyre has dedicated her career to the field of simulation and the development of educational innovations that support collaborative healthcare models. Her work in interprofessional education includes curriculum development on disparities in health care, leadership, and technology. Her educational research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Josiah Macy Foundation, Burroughs Welcome Foundation, and others. She is the author and co-author of nearly 40 publications. She holds an EdD in educational psychology and a Master of Science in Education degree in medical education from the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley. Peyre received the award at virtual annual award ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 20. To learn more about the award, visit the Rochester Academy of Medicine website.