Larner Associate Dean for Curriculum and Professor of Medicine Toshiko Uchida, M.D., was invested as the inaugural Dr. Yvette Pigeon Professor of Medical Education on March 11, 2026.

The investment ceremony was presided over by UVM Interim Provost and Senior Vice President Linda Schadler, Ph.D., and Larner Dean and UVM Chief Medical Affairs Officer Richard L. Page, M.D., with additional remarks by Larner Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education Christa Zehle, M.D. 

This endowed professorship, established by Fred “Chico” Lager in honor of his wife, Yvette Pigeon ’80, G’87, Ed.D.’99, who was a clinical assistant professor from 1999 to 2010, supports a distinguished faculty member who demonstrates exceptional dedication to educating and mentoring students pursuing doctoral degrees. Endowed professorships represent one of the highest honors the university can bestow upon a faculty member. 

“Dr. Uchida’s selection for this prestigious distinction is a testament to her extraordinary commitment to teaching, her impactful scholarship, and her national visibility and productivity in medical education.” — Christa Zehle, M.D.

Dr. Yvette Pigeon notably piloted and then helped direct the Medical Student Leadership Group (MSLG) course, which became the anchor for the Vermont Integrated Curriculum and is known today as the Professionalism, Communication, and Reflection (PCR) course. 

Omar Khan, MD’03, shared, “Yvette’s impact on my life and career is profound. Her work led to my improved skills and outcomes in communication, clarity, transparency, and hopefully medical humility. I would like to think these are skills I have continued to utilize to our patients’ benefit over the years. She was a cheerleader in her inimitable way—quiet, thoughtful, offering words of wisdom, and encouraging me to remain connected to what brought me to this work: taking care of patients.”

As the inaugural holder of this esteemed professorship—only the second of its kind in medical education at UVM—Dr. Uchida demonstrates exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing the field. She joins Kathryn (“Katie”) Huggett, Ph.D., M.A., holder of the Robert Larner, M.D.’42, Professorship in Medical Education, in strengthening UVM’s national reputation for innovation in medical education.

“Dr. Uchida’s selection for this prestigious distinction is a testament to her extraordinary commitment to teaching, her impactful scholarship, and her national visibility and productivity in medical education,” said Christa Zehle, M.D., senior associate dean for medical education and professor of pediatrics at the Larner College of Medicine and director of UVM Health education.

The UVM Foundation is collecting memories from colleagues and alumni who worked with Dr. Yvette Pigeon or participated in the pilot MSLG course. To share your experience, please contact gratitude@med.uvm.edu.