Mary Kate Cary, an instructor in the University of Virginia’s Department of Politics and the founding director of Think Again at UVA, received one of five national Open Inquiry Awards from the Heterodox Academy at its June national convention in Chicago.
John Tomasi, president of the academy, cited Cary’s “tireless efforts to promote open inquiry, free speech and viewpoint diversity on the Grounds of UVA and beyond” in presenting her with the organization’s Leadership Award, given to “the person who has most effectively championed the principles of open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement in the academy and beyond,” according to the academy’s announcement.
Cary was instrumental in drafting UVA’s Statement on Free Expression and Free Inquiry, adopted in 2022. Think Again at UVA helps students thrive through such events as “Disagree With a Professor,” “Free Speech Fridays,” “Braver Angels Debates” and the annual UVA Student Oratory Contest. She also co-chairs the Heterodox Academy Campus Community at UVA, the second-largest academy chapter in the country.
“I think this shows UVA’s commitment to the founding values of the Heterodox Academy: viewpoint diversity, open inquiry and constructive disagreement in research and higher education,” Cary wrote in an email.
In their nomination, Cary’s colleagues wrote, “She has a vision for an academy where all ideas can compete freely, and Professor Cary is a model of how to incorporate open inquiry, free speech and viewpoint diversity in the classroom and beyond.”
Beyond her duties at UVA, Cary is also a professional speaker and panelist on the American presidency, political rhetoric and current politics.
Heterodox Academy is a nonpartisan, nonprofit membership organization committed to improving institutions of higher education by advocating principles of open inquiry, viewpoint diversity and constructive disagreement.
National Academy Elevates AI Health Care Pioneer
UVA Health cardiologist Dr. Randall Moorman was inducted as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in June for his work in developing predictive modeling for health care patients. Moorman is the Bicentennial Professor of Advanced Medical Analytics in the School of Medicine and a professor of biomedical engineering and molecular physiology and biological physics.
Cardiologist Dr. Randall Moorman, an expert in applying artificial intelligence to health care settings, is the University’s 14th fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. (Contributed photo)
Moorman – the University’s 14th fellow – is an expert on artificial intelligence who pioneered continuous monitoring tools used around the world for both NICU patients and COVID-19 units. He is currently working on making predictive health care AI systems more useful for diverse populations of patients.
The National Academy of Inventors is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, governmental agencies and nonprofit research institutes. Moorman becomes one of 1,898 fellows of the academy who “have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society,” according to the academy.
Fellow status is recognized as the highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors. Academic inventors and innovators elected to their ranks are nominated by their peers for contributions to innovation in areas such as patents and licensing, innovative discovery and technology, significant impact on society, and support and enhancement of innovation.
Nominees must be a named inventor on patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and affiliated with a university, nonprofit research institute or other academic entity to qualify.
UVA Health Honored for Supporting LGBTQ+ Patients, Visitors, Team Members
UVA Health University Medical Center has been honored with the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader award from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for its equitable treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer patients, visitors and team members.
One of UVA Health's goals is “cultivating healthy communities and belonging for all,” CEO Wendy Horton said. (University Communications photo)
UVA Health University Medical Center earned the best possible rating of 100 in the foundation’s 2024 Healthcare Equality Index.
“One of the overarching goals of our 10-year strategic plan is cultivating healthy communities and belonging for all, and this honor from the Human Rights Campaign highlights our ongoing commitment to building that sense of belonging,” said Wendy Horton, chief executive officer of UVA Health University Medical Center. “We want everyone in the communities we serve, as well as all of our team members, to feel supported and included.”
The Human Rights Campaign, a national civil rights organization for the LGBTQ+ community, evaluates hospitals on how their policies and practices support inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. Hospitals are rated in four categories:
- Policies and staff training in LGBTQ+-inclusive, patient-centered care
- LGBTQ+ patient services and support
- Employee benefits and policies
- Patient and community engagement
“Our team continues to make progress in making the health system a welcoming place for everyone, whether they are providing care, receiving care or visiting a loved one,” said Dr. Tracy M. Downs, UVA Health’s chief diversity and community engagement officer. “We will continue to seek ways to ensure everyone feels that sense of welcome and belonging at UVA Health.”
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December 3, 2024
