Dr. Rhome Hughes, instructional associate professor and director of career advising at Texas A&M School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed), has received the R. Kelly Hester Distinguished Teaching Award for Basic Science Education for 2024.
Nominated by students, Hughes received the award at the College of Medicine’s Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony on Dec. 4, 2024.
“This award recognizes a faculty or staff member who goes above and beyond to create a rich and vibrant learning environment while supporting student growth and advancing medical knowledge,” EnMed Interim Dean Timothy Boone, MD, PhD, said at the event. “Rhome demonstrates again and again a dynamic and energetic teaching style while always taking the time to mentor to students academically and professionally.”
Since joining EnMed in July 2021, Hughes has been instrumental in shaping the medical curriculum. He serves as course director for the Hematology/Oncology course, co-course director for the Medical Gross Anatomy course, and is a course instructor for the Introduction to Disease, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Renal, Gastrointestinal, and Endo-Repro organ block courses.
“I believe instructional aids should be multidimensional, combining visual, auditory, and kinesthetic techniques,” said Hughes, whose specialty is pathology. “I want each student to witness my own passion for medicine, and I hope they’re inspired to share my enthusiasm for understanding the material while caring deeply for patients.”
Hughes credited his teaching philosophy to his experiences with inspiring professors and his roles as a tutor, lab instructor and teacher’s aide during his academic journey.
“I find that the best teachers are those who help students recognize their strengths and develop their knowledge on areas where they can grow,” he said. ‘”I accepted my position with EnMed because I saw it as a catalyst for transforming the future of medical education. It’s not just the concept of blended engineering and medicine, but also the philosophy of a flipped classroom delivery of content.”
Students Claudia Kramer and Jason Schutt nominated Hughes for the award, each citing his personal commitment and encouraging attitude toward students.
“Dr. Hughes makes every student feel like they are his favorite student,” Kramer said. “He genuinely cares about all of us. In every interaction, it’s evident from the way he shares his passion and engages with everyone.”
In accepting the honor, Hughes expressed gratitude for the recognition. “Being nominated by these students is truly humbling,” he said. “The dedication of EnMed students inspires me every day. I feel incredibly privileged to be part of their journey.”
Hughes earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of North Texas in Denton and a bachelor’s degree from Austin College in Sherman.
He served in the U.S. Air Force as an Assistant Professor of Pathology for the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, stationed at San Antonio Military Medical Center at Joint Base San Antonio, before joining the faculty of the University of North Dakota (UND) School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks, ND.
Medical students in North Dakota also nominated Hughes for teaching honors, including his two-time receipt of the UND ‘Golden Apple’ Award for Excellence in Teaching and the school’s prestigious Portrait Award for Outstanding Support of Medical Students.
