UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Shining a Spotlight on Dr. Beth Beam

Academy Member Since 2016
Education Researcher, Interprofessional Academy of Educators
Assistant Professor, College of Nursing - Omaha
Bio

What do you do at UNMC?
I am the Director for a grant at the College of Nursing called HEROES that does emergency preparedness education for health professions students and healthcare providers throughout the state of Nebraska. I also am an Education Researcher for the Interprofessional Academy of Educators, which means I get to work with faculty from all over UNMC on educational projects that build their scholarship. Finally, I work on several federal grants that support Ebola and other special pathogen preparedness education.

Tell us about your educational research interests and teaching role.
My research interest in particular is improving personal safety behaviors related to personal protective equipment use using reflective practice interventions. My teaching role includes using digital media, simulation, and virtual or augmented reality in new ways to engage learners related to emergency preparedness.

What is one of your favorite/memorable teaching moments?
Teaching our Nebraska Biocontainment Unit staff and clinicians how to safety use their gear in the care of an infected Ebola patient will likely always be the most critical, high pressure teaching role that I have ever had. It was an honor to be their educator and support such courageous people.

What do you see as the biggest benefit to being a member of the IAE?
The ability to connect with people with a similar interest from all over UNMC. The Academy provides a venue for like minded people to meet.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you "grew up" and why?
I remember in kindergarten writing that I wanted to be a ballerina ... because really, who wouldn't? I have zero dancing skill, but I keep trying to do Dance Fit at the Y anyway. My husband isn't much for dancing either, so I guess that makes us compatible.

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