Zsa-Zsa Booker, Ph.D., a learning skills specialist with the Office of Learning and Teaching at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has won the Grand Prize Osmosis Raise the Line Faculty Award in the Healthcare Professionals category.

The award, presented by Osmosis.org, a leading online health education platform, recognizes those responsible for training the next generation of health care professionals and who "raise the line" by

increasing health care capacity.

“With all that is going on in the world, this recognition really surprised me in a good way,” said Dr. Booker. “The work that we do not only helps to support medical students, it also helps to support our country’s health care system. What an amazing responsibility and opportunity we've been given!”

Dr. Booker joined WSU as a study skills specialist and then project manager with the Academic Success Center 10 years ago. She joined the School of Medicine in early 2017.

In her role, she serves as course director of the Step 1 Prep Course, providing students with learning strategies and support during their dedicated Step 1 preparation. She also meets with students individually and in small- and large-group settings to coach students on active learning strategies. She develops and delivers workshops and online modules to enhance evidence-based learning strategies, collaborates with the school community to ensure students’ holistic wellbeing and academic success, and assist with training and development of peer-support programs.

“Dr. Booker's contributions to the School of Medicine’s mission and the Office of Learning and Teaching are exemplary,” said Senthil Kumar Rajasekaran, M.D., MMHPE, senior associate dean for Curricular Affairs and Undergraduate Medical Education. “She continues to emerge as a leader in education through her faculty and course director roles as well as her service to the university. This recognition on a national scale is not only great for her but also for our medical school.”