The American College of Physicians has awarded West Virginia University faculty member Dr. Arif Sarwari the Herbert S. Waxman Outstanding Medical Student Educator Award, granted May 15 in Washington, D.C.

Sarwari, an infectious diseases specialist, is the fourth recipient of the Herbert S. Waxman Award, devoted to doctors who are dedicated to teaching. He is an expert in tropical medicine and HIV infection, and has been at WVU since 2001. Sarwari also trained at WVU as a resident from 1990-94, spending his last year as chief resident.

This coveted award is given to one person per year out of a college of 125,000 members,said Dr. Rashida Khakoo, chief of infectious diseases, at WVU .We are all very proud of Dr. Sarwari for this well-earned national recognition. He is a student-centered teacher who makes difficult concepts very easy to understand and stimulates lifelong learning skills.

Sarwari has won many awards for his outstanding teaching including the School of Medicine Distinguished Teacher Award in 2008.

For more information on the WVU School of Medicine, visit www.hsc.wvu.edu/som/ .