image: Giuseppe Colasurdo, M.D., dean of the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, view more
Credit: UT Health Science Center at Houston
The Houston chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators has named Giuseppe Colasurdo, M.D., dean of The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, its Executive Communicator of the Year. The prestigious award was given April 24 at the organization’s annual Bronze Quill Awards Banquet at the Junior League of Houston.
Colasurdo is the ninth recipient of the award, which recognizes excellence in leadership , management, and communication skills. Awardees are chosen for their achievements in “initiating, directing, supporting, or sustaining outstanding and effective communication programs” and demonstrating “solid understanding and support of communication within his or her organization with the highest professional and ethical standards in fulfilling his or her responsibilities.”
Judges cited Dean Colasurdo for his “great breadth of communication vehicles” and reaching “varieties of audiences.”
“He embraces technology and understands two-way communication. The feedback he receives is extremely powerful,” added the judges.
Dean Colasurdo said that he believes effective and strategic communication is the foundation of good leadership and success.
“Effective communication must be open, transparent, and honest; it must build relationships and promote trust among the constituents; it must promote upward communication to overcome skepticism toward the administration; and it must encourage broad and inclusive feedback,” he said.
Dean Colasurdo said he was honored to have received this award.
“I have not received any training in this field. When I came to the United States for my residency at UTMB, I was extremely vulnerable with communication. My worst enemy was the phone – I could work three nights in a row if I could only avoid phone calls from patients and family. But, it got better with time,” he said.
Dean Colasurdo became dean of the Medical School Sept. 1, 2007, and since that time has distributed a weekly e-mail to all faculty, staff, and students; addressed numerous constituent groups; and held two town hall meetings.
“I have quickly learned the importance and the power of communication,” he said.
Previous recipients of the award include Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, senior pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church; Clark Baker, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Houston; and Dr. John Stobo, former president of UTMB.
With more than 300 members, IABC/Houston is one of the top 15 largest chapters of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) -- an information network dedicated to serving communication professionals locally, nationally, and throughout the world.