The Jones Institute Recognizes Two Outstanding Students

At the Eastern Virginia Medical School graduation on May 20, 2006, the Clinical Embryology and Andrology Master’s Degree program of the Jones Institute presented two of their graduates with awards for outstanding achievement. These awards are significant for two reasons. New to the list of EVMS graduation awards, these distinctions recognize two students who have completed a complex distance learning program and they honor two late pioneers in the field of reproductive medicine. Dr. Georgeanna Seegar Jones and Dr. Gary D. Hodgen were members of the faculty and research team at the Jones Institute prior to their deaths in 2005.

	Donna Williams-Powell The Georgeanna Seegar Jones, M.D. Award for Academic Achievement

The Georgeanna Seegar Jones, M.D. Award for Academic Achievement is given annually to a graduating student in recognition of academic excellence. This award was created in memory of Dr. Jones and her innumerable contributions to the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, which stand as a model to those aspiring to study in the field of reproductive medicine. The recipient of this year’s award, based on her impeccable academic record, was Donna Williams-Powell. Working as a clinical embryologist for the past 21 years, she entered this program to improve her knowledge of reproductive medicine and clinical embryology best practices.

	Tyl Taylor The Gary Dean Hodgen, Ph.D., Award for Excellence in Clinical Embryology Research

The Gary Dean Hodgen, Ph.D., Award for Excellence in Clinical Embryology Research is given to the graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in research techniques and discovery. The recipient of this year’s award was Tyl Taylor, based on the quality and originality of his work. His thesis research looked at the process of meiosis and chromosomes in the oocyte. Many cases of infertility are directly linked to chromosomal separation abnormalities and hopefully his research may one day help elucidate this problem.
 

The distance leaning degree program at EVMS is one of three totally online programs in the world. The goal of this distance education is to provide the student with a degree from a recognized institution that offers them a comprehensive education while allowing them to continue their professional careers. Becoming a full-time residential student was not an option for our students, but studying amid innovative online teaching methods and a flexible study and test schedule, permitted them to successfully broaden their education.

The diversity of experience within the class allows students to share different perspectives on assisted reproduction procedures. This is one on the major advantages of online education. As you can see by the student location map, our scholars are scattered around the United States, and the world. This diversity allows and encourages each student to utilize their contacts to understand the wide assortment of protocols and technical /ethical issues, thereby providing an even more well-rounded education.