Dr. Braun and Dr. Wang Selected as TouroCOM Middletown’s Teachers of the Year

Dr. Braun was picked by first-year students and Dr. Wang was picked by second-year students. The two professors received their awards during the TouroCOM Middletown White Coat Ceremony held on July 22 at the Paramount Theater in Middletown. Dr. Wang teaches pharmacology and medical genetics. Dr. Braun teaches histology and pathology.

Dr. Braun, originally of Chicago, graduated from the University of Illinois and is a board-certified pathologist. Dr. Braun joined the faculty when the school opened in 2014 after practicing for 15 years in Westchester Medical Center. He said that teaching had always interested him.

“I’ve always liked learning and studying the same topic over and over again to refine my knowledge and make sure I get the most intricate details correct,” explained Dr. Braun. “I like diving deep into a subject and it’s just more interesting to share your ideas with others.”

During his acceptance speech, he thanked his students.

“Ultimately, the students are the greatest teachers of them all,” said Dr. Braun. “Your inquisitiveness and the challenges that you pose to us really make us work as hard as possible to be the best teachers we can be.”

Dr. Wang emigrated from China after finishing medical school and attended Drexel University for her Ph.D. in pharmacology and physiology. She did a post-doc in cell biology and kidney disease at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institute of Health system.

“A physician’s job is not simply to memorize the drug names and the study facts,” said Dr. Wang. “They have to understand how a drug works and knowing that enables them to adjust it for their specific patients.”

During her acceptance speech, besides thanking her students, Dr. Wang thanked TouroCOM Executive Dean and Middletown Campus Founding Dean Dr. Kenneth Steier; TouroCOM Middletown Pre-Clinical Dean Dr. Stephen Jones and her co-teacher Dr. Clifford Knapp.

“I am very fortunate to work at Touro,” said Dr. Wang. “It’s just a wonderful environment. Everyone who comes to work wants to be here.”