The Society of Distinguished Educators
One of the most meaningful parts of our mission at the Burnett School of Medicine at TCU is the daily work of teaching, mentoring, and supporting learners, often in ways that are not always visible, but deeply felt by our students and trainees. That work deserves to be recognized. The Society of Distinguished Educators honors faculty who demonstrate sustained excellence in medical education and an enduring commitment to advancing teaching, mentoring, and educational scholarship across our learning environment.
2026 Inductees
Mr. Michael Bernas
Mr. Michael Bernas
Associate Professor of Medical Education Mike Bernas, M.S., is a highly accomplished educator, researcher, and mentor whose career spans more than three decades of contributions to medical education and biomedical science. He has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the Scholarly Pursuit and Thesis (SPT) course and is widely regarded as a catalyst for student engagement in research. Mr. Bernas also maintains an extensive and internationally recognized research portfolio, integrating his scientific expertise with his commitment to developing future physician-scholars and advancing medical knowledge.
Education:
• M.S. of Genetics, University of Arizona
Dr. Angela Cantrell
Dr. Angela Cantrell
Dr. Angela Cantrell is the Assistant Dean of Pre-Clinical Education as well as Professor and Chair of the Department of Medical Education, whose career reflects a strong commitment to advancing medical education. With a background in neurobiology and over two decades of experience, she transitioned from a successful research career to focus on curriculum design, teaching innovation, and academic leadership. She has extensive expertise in developing and delivering preclinical curricula, particularly in anatomical sciences and USMLE Step 1 preparation, and has won numerous teaching awards for her effectiveness. In her leadership roles, she has overseen major curriculum initiatives, mentored faculty and students, and contributed to national educational efforts, including developing core anatomy competencies and board review programs. Known for her collaborative and student-centered approach, Dr. Cantrell has helped guide hundreds of learners toward academic success while fostering continuous improvement in medical education.
Education:
• Ph.D. in Neuroscience from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Dr. Sandra Esparza
Dr. Sandra Esparza
Dr. Sandra Esparza is an Associate Professor of Medical Education and is the Assistant Dean of Clinical Curriculum. Dr. Esparza is a dedicated clinician-educator and academic leader with more than 25 years of clinical experience and a strong commitment to patient-centered medical education. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes active, multimodal learning that fosters clinical reasoning, engagement, and individualized student development. She has played a pivotal role in leading and transforming clinical skills and clerkship programs, including oversight of the Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship (LIC), where her leadership has enhanced both curriculum quality and student performance. Known for her creativity and innovation, she has developed interactive learning strategies – such as simulation exercises and educational escape rooms – that promote teamwork and practical application of knowledge. In addition, Dr. Esparza is a committed mentor and community-focused educator, exemplified through her leadership in clinical training environments that serve underserved populations while modeling compassionate, learner-centered care.
Education:
• M.D. from The University of Texas Medical Branch, Family Medicine
• Residency – Corpus Christi Family Medicine Texas A&M
Dr. James Furgerson
Dr. James Furgerson
Dr. James Furgerson is an Associate Professor of Medical Education as well as the Assistant Director of the Clinical Skills Course. A board-certified cardiologist with more than two decades of experience in academic medicine, he is widely recognized for his ability to translate complex scientific concepts into engaging, clinically relevant learning experiences for medical students. As co-course director for Mechanisms of Health and Disease III, Dr. Furgerson has led significant curriculum redesign efforts, integrated active learning strategies, and developed Step 1 preparation programming that has been highly praised by students and colleagues alike. Beyond the classroom, he has mentored students pursuing a wide range of specialties, contributed to national and international medical education initiatives, and served in leadership roles supporting faculty and learner development.
Education:
• M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine
• Internal Medicine Residency at Brooke Army Medical Center
Dr. David Goff
Dr. David Goff
Dr. David Goff is an Assistant Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. He is a dedicated pediatrician, educator, and innovator who plays an integral part of teaching in our Mechanisms of Health and Disease (MHD) course. With more than 25 years of clinical teaching experience and extensive involvement at the Burnett School of Medicine, he has made significant contributions in both clinical and classroom settings. Dr. Goff is widely recognized for his innovative teaching methods, including interactive embryology models and rural-case based learning scenarios that enhance student engagement and clinical reasoning. Beyond teaching, he actively contributes to institutional leadership and community service, reflecting a commitment to advancing medical education and improving patient care.
Education:
• M.D. from Wake Forest University
• Pediatric Residency at Texas Children’s Hospital
Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy
Dr. Mohanakrishnan Sathyamoorthy
Dr. Mohanakrishnan ‘Mo’ Sathyamoorthy is an accomplished physician, educator, and academic leader, serving as Professor and Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine. With more than two decades of experience across leading medical institutions, his educational philosophy emphasizes compassionate, patient-centered care, integrating clinical excellence with humanistic teaching across bedside, classroom, and mentorship settings. He has demonstrated significant impact through curriculum innovation, faculty leadership, and the development of high-quality training programs in cardiovascular medicine and therapeutics. Widely recognized for his teaching effectiveness and scholarly contributions, he has published extensively, delivered national and international lectures, and shaped medical education through research and program development. Overall, Dr. Sathyamoorthy is regarded as a transformative educator and leader whose work advances both learner development and patient care.
Education:
• M.D. SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine
• Internal Medicine Residency – Vanderbilt University
• Clinical Fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases – Vanderbilt University
• Research Fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine – Vanderbilt University
Dr. Imran Siddiqui
Dr. Imran Siddiqui
Dr. Imran Siddiqui is a Professor of Medical Education, Vice Chair for the Department of Medical Education and the Mechanisms of Health and Disease (MHD) Course Director. Dr. Siddiqui brings more than 30 years of experience in medical education and has demonstrated sustained excellence in teaching and curricular oversight. He has played an instrumental role in establishing the School of Medicine’s MHD course and ensuring curricular continuity across Phase 1. His work is defined by a strong commitment to inquiry-driven, student-centered learning that integrates foundational science with clinical reasoning and emphasizes the development of Empathetic Scholars®.
Education:
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Ziauddin University