Songdej recognized for ‘Exceptional Moments in Teaching’

Natthapol Songdej, MD, MPH assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, at Penn State College of Medicine, was featured for August 2020 in the “Exceptional Moments in Teaching” program.

“I found Dr. Songdej’s lectures particularly engaging, relevant and clear,” wrote a student. “He displayed excellent mastery of his area of medicine, and yet he explained topics in a way that we could all quickly understand and relate to. I really appreciated the way he personalized his presentation by telling stories about specific cases he has seen that demonstrated what we were learning about. When any student had a question, he was also quite clear and concise in the way he effectively answered those concerns. I also felt his lectures did not give us any ‘extraneous details,’ he focused on what was really high-yield and fascinating at the same time.”

Songdej joined the faculty at the College of Medicine and Hershey Medical Center in 2017. He was born in Thailand and grew up in the Los Angeles area. He attended medical school at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and completed a medical/pediatric residency at Brown University and hematology/oncology fellowship at Fox Chase Cancer Center/Temple University Hospital. In addition to clinic and research, he is involved in education of medical students, residents and hematology/oncology fellows.

Penn State College of Medicine’s Office for a Respectful Learning Environment recognizes exceptional faculty, residents and fellows with the monthly “Exceptional Moments in Teaching” program. Each month, one faculty member and one resident/fellow are highlighted for their contributions. College of Medicine students are invited to submit narratives about faculty members, residents, nurses or any other educators who challenge them and provide an exceptional learning experience using the online nomination form.

The Office for a Respectful Learning Environment fosters an educational community at Penn State College of Medicine in which all learners and educators feel supported, challenged, valued and respected. It serves all learners at the College of Medicine: medical students, graduate students, physician assistant students, residents and fellows.

See previous faculty and resident/fellow honorees here.

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