On Wednesday, June 14, Dr. Matthew Owens was presented with the Edward J. Batt Memorial Award. The award was presented by Susan Anderson, chair of the Family Medicine Department at the University of South Dakota's Sanford School of Medicine.

"Each year we present an award to someone who has done an exemplary job of teaching and service to the medical students but also to our state in general. This year it was really no contest that Dr. Owens should receive this award," said Anderson. "He obviously is a trailblazer in his efforts in disaster preparedness and very dedicated in his work to help educate the medical students about disaster preparedness and others across the state. He mentors students, he teaches students, and he recently had students on a research elective and got an article accepted for publication."

The award was first given out 1979. Batt first practiced in Sisseton before moving to Sioux Falls to teach. The award's recipient must be active in teaching with excellent student evaluations, a faculty member of at least three years, and offer and be involved in elective opportunities.