The Drum Major Awards were created to recognize individuals at WashU School of Medicine who embody what it means to be an upstander. In a 1968 sermon in Atlanta entitled “The Drum Major Instinct”, Dr. King stated “Yes, if you want to say I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness”. They sought to recognize individuals who embody Dr. King’s words and work in these awards.
The DHM’s own Dr. Anthony Dao was nominated twice and won a Drum Major award! His nominators had this to say about Dr. Dao:
“Tony Dao is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and graduate medical education. He directs OUTmed, an organization for LGBTQIA+ trainees, faculty and staff. He constantly strives to make everyone feel welcomed and comfortable in the spaces he is in. He also is one of the heads of the IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Allyship and Social Justice) Committee in the Division of Hospital Medicine.”
“Tony has shown exceptional leadership of OUTmed during an incredibly challenging time for the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, he mentors student leaders in this space, and works to amplify their voices and ideas.”
“Tony has shown exceptional leadership of OUTmed during an incredibly challenging time for the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, he mentors student leaders in this space, and works to amplify their voices and ideas.”
Anonymous Nominator
Upon reflecting on his award, Anthony Dao said, “I often provide positive and reinforcing feedback to my residents, and I know sometimes it’s hard for them to accept positive feedback. At its core, there’s this innate desire to do better that positive praise does not satiate. I feel this way too with OUTmed. I often wonder if I’m doing enough – am I helping the people I hoped I would help? Are there people still in need? Is the programming actually important or fodder for publicity? I too go through self-doubt and hope for “how can I do better?” The Drum Major Award gives me a second to pause. To recognize that this work is important. To understand that I can’t do everything, haven’t done everything, but what I’ve done is more than there was yesterday. I am grateful for that pause so that I can recommit to OUTmed’s purpose, continue serving those in my community, and remind myself that we are in fact doing better.” Wonderful job, Tony!