The awards are presented in recognition of the best design for instructional development among the seven Metroversity member institutions - University of Louisville, Bellarmine University, Indiana University Southeast, Jefferson Community and Technical College, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spalding University.

Dean Halperin was honored for his work designing a new course for medical students, At the Intersection of Medicine and Spirituality.The course is for second year medical students and meets part of their humanities in medicine requirements. It was offered for the first time during the academic year 2008-2009.

Halperin was one of four recipients honored during a ceremony held Nov.12, 2009 at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cash awards of $1,000 were given to the four winners. The UofL medical school dean donated his prize money to the UofL Office of Medical Education in support of a faculty development initiative.

The Kentuckiana Metroversity Awards for Instructional Development was launched in 1981, and has honored 150 competition finalists. Products of this competition include new instructional manuals and textbooks, new styles of teaching, and incentives for faculty to search for new ways to help students learn.