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Fellows in the Critical Care Fellowship collaborate at a computer

October 29, 2021

By Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science staff


Each year, Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences selects a clinician to receive the Distinguished Allied Health Educator of the Year (DAHEY) Award. This annual award recognizes a clinician in both Arizona and Florida who has made outstanding contributions to allied health education at Mayo Clinic.

Individuals were nominated by their peers and chosen by a selection committee comprised of past recipients and Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Sub-Committee members. Congratulations to the award recipients.

Jennifer Palermo, P.A.-C.Jennifer Palermo, P.A.-C., award recipient in Arizona

Nominated by her peers and leadership, Jennifer Palermo, P.A.-C., is the 2021 DAHEY Award recipient in Arizona. Palermo is a Physician Assistant in Hospital Internal Medicine (HIM), in addition to supervising HIM NP/PAs. Palermo also serves as Chair of the NPPA Subcommittee and is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and a Fellow in the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Palermo was nominated by colleagues for her passion and inspiration as a clinician, administrator, educator, and mentor. Palermo presents nationally and has published extensively on a variety of current topics impacting hospital medicine. In addition to teaching Mayo Clinic residents, fellows, and medical students, she lectures at Mid-Western University where she is adjunct faculty. She has mentored numerous colleagues whom she inspired to give presentations, publish articles, and teach courses culminating in improved healthcare for patients.

In recognition of her numerous contributions, she was identified by her colleagues as exemplifying Mayo Clinic’s educational mission, and they consider it a privilege to work alongside her. Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences is proud to acknowledge Palermo as the 2021 Distinguished Allied Health Educator of the Year at a hybrid event in November.

Christan Santos, APRN, award recipient in FloridaChristan Santos, APRN

Christan Santos, APRN, has been named the recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Allied Health Educator of the Year (DAHEY) award in Florida. Santos is currently Associate Program Director of the Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Critical Care Fellowship. Her nominations emphasized her commitment and engagement in teaching students at all levels. She has served as preceptor to nurse practitioner and physician assistant clinical rotators for the past five years.

She has mentored several APP’s in field of research and writing first manuscripts. She also launched the APP Critical Care Review Course in 2018 and has presented abstracts at the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Neurocritical Society. In June 2019, she was awarded Associate of Curriculum Design and Development by Academy of Education Excellence.

She will be recognized at the upcoming virtual Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences Awards and Faculty Recognition Program in Florida later this year.

Christan Santos, APRN, speaking at a Critical Care Review event