A Uniformed Services University suicide postvention course wins a Platinum Marketing and Communications Award, and two faculty members earn national honors.
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| A USU suicide postvention course wins a Platinum MarCom Award, and 2 faculty members earn national medical education honors. (Photo credit: Tom Balfour, USU) |
October 30, 2026 by USU News
An online suicide postvention course developed at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) for military Religious Support Teams has won the top prize in an international communications competition. Two USU faculty members, Dr. Rebekah Cole and Dr. Paul Hemmer, have also earned national recognition for their work in medical education.
Chaplaincy HOPE Earns Platinum MarCom Award
The Chaplaincy HOPE (Healing Outcomes and Postvention Essentials) online training course received a Platinum MarCom Award, the Association of Marketing and Communications’ highest honor in the international digital media and communications competition. USU’s Suicide Care, Prevention, and Research Initiative developed the course, and the Defense Suicide Prevention Office funded it.
Chaplaincy HOPE is an evidence-informed suicide postvention curriculum designed for military Religious Support Teams, which pair chaplains with enlisted religious affairs specialists. Postvention refers to the support provided to people affected by a suicide death.
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| Dr. Rebekah Cole, left, professor of Health Professions Education and assistant dean for academic success at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), walks a visitor through a research poster on the teaching assistant curriculum in the Advanced Combat Medical Experience, one of USU’s military medical field practicums. (USU Photo) |
Cole Selected for Inaugural CAIRE Research Committee
Cole, professor of Health Professions Education and assistant dean for academic success at USU, is one of eight faculty members nationwide selected to serve on the inaugural Research, Scholarship, and Evaluation Committee of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ CAIRE Group.
The committee brings together national expertise in medical education research, instructional assessment, and program evaluation. Its work is intended to advance curriculum innovation across U.S. medical schools.
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| Dr. Paul Hemmer, professor of Medicine at USU, received the Alliance for Clinical Education Louis N. Pangaro Medical Educator Award. (Photo credit: Tom Balfour, USU) |
Hemmer Receives Pangaro Medical Educator Award
Hemmer, professor of Medicine at USU, received the Alliance for Clinical Education (ACE) Louis N. Pangaro Medical Educator Award.
The national honor recognizes faculty members who show exceptional dedication to the clinical education of medical students and who make sustained contributions to interdisciplinary collaboration in medical education. The award is named for Dr. Louis N. Pangaro, a founding member of ACE, former chair of USU’s Department of Medicine, and internationally recognized medical educator.
To submit an award, recognition, or announcement for a future roundup, email news@usuhs.edu.