Cleveland Piggott, MD, MPH, Vice Chair and Associate Professor for the University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine (DFM), was just honored with the Joseph St. Geme Jr. Award at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (CU SOM) Honors Convocation ceremony. This award is a testament to his exceptional ability to promote the overall mission of the School of Medicine.
The School of Medicine hosts its annual awards ceremony just before commencement, primarily recognizing fourth-year medical students with student honors, highlighting their dedication and accomplishments. The ceremony also acknowledges exceptional educators and faculty members with awards like the Joseph St. Geme Jr. Award—named after Dr. St. Geme Jr.—a respected pediatrician and former dean of the School of Medicine who brought renewed purpose and lasting impact to the school, earning recognition for his mentorship and contributions to medicine nationwide.
A shocked and extremely honored Dr. Piggott reflects on the significance of receiving this prestigious award.
“Both one of my favorite things and hardest parts of Family Medicine is the variety. That is amplified in academic medicine. Personally, I always feel like I’m supposed to be in two places at once and I try to do the best I can in support of our staff, faculty, students, patients, and communities. I love this school and to even be considered for an award like this was extremely humbling.”
As Vice Chair, Associate Professor, and family physician, Dr. Piggott plays a leadership role across multiple disciplines, making a meaningful impact in far-reaching areas of healthcare and education.
One of his favorite parts of being a leader is lifting those up around him and, “amplifying the voices of those that work in family medicine and the voices of our patients. Every once in a while, I’m able to not only amplify it, but make (hopefully) meaningful change. Sometimes it’s quick, but often times it takes a lot of concerted effort by a team of people. It’s so incredibly satisfying to know I played a small part in making something just a little bit better.”
When asked what fuels his passion for the work that he does, he brings up his friends and family.
“An abbreviated version of my personal mission statement is ‘enjoy life and make things better for the next generation.’ On reflection, I get a lot of that from my parents as my dad leans into the enjoying life part and my mom has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever met. I get a lot of joy in trying make systems and environments better for others, and I hope that, and my amazing sense of humor, is what I’ll be remembered for by my friends, family, students, and patients.”
Dr. Piggott is known for his wit, unwavering dedication, and charismatic personality. He is truly deserving of this award and receiving the Joseph St. Geme Jr. Award will influence his work going forward by fostering change, in the best way he knows how.
“My preferred way of creating change is being slightly under the radar. I told that to a senior colleague a few months back, and she laughed and said, ‘Oh Cleveland, you’re not under anyone’s radar on this campus.’ So, I guess this award means I’ll be put on a few more committees. In all seriousness, for every recognition or door that is open to me, my hope is it just makes it a little easier for me to open a door for someone else and do more good.”
Congratulations, Dr. Piggott!
Cleveland Piggott, MD, MPH, with Susie Piggott, MD, his wife, at the CU SOM Honors Convocation.
