Kimberly Latacha, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy
Vice Chair for Medical Education, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy
Dr. Latacha's primary role in the department is teaching gross anatomy, with an emphasis on active learning modalities including laboratory activities and surface anatomy. Dr. Latacha co-directs Phase 1 in the College of Medicine which includes all of the pre-clinical, systems-based curricula. Dr. Latacha also serves as the co-director for the Musculoskeletal and Integument block. In addition to medical student education, she also participates in teaching gross anatomy and educational pedagogy to allied health, graduate, undergraduate, and high school students. As Vice Chair for Medical Education in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, she oversees instruction of the anatomical sciences by several department faculty.
- Post-doc, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
- PhD, University of Nebraska Medical Center
- BS, Truman State University
Dr. Latacha's current research focus is the design and implementation of novel teaching methods in medical education. She is involved in curriculum development and review, assessment design, and integration of co-curricular and diversity-related elements. Her early biomedical research efforts were focused on vascular patterning in the chick embryo and the biomechanical forces of cardiac looping.
- McCumber TL, Latacha KS, Lomneth CS. (2021) The state of anatomical donation programs amidst the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) pandemic. Clinical Anatomy 36 (6): 961-965.
- McCumber T, Cassidy K, Latacha K, Simet S, Vilburn M, Urban N, Vogt C, Urban J. (2019) Accuracy of ultrasound-guided localization of the peripatellar plexus for knee pain management. Clinical Anesthesia 58: 1-2.
- Latacha MP; Latacha KS. (2017) ICDs in Cadavers: Potential Risks and Learning Opportunities. EP Lab Digest 17: 1-12.
- Hirschmann Prize for Teaching Excellence, College of Medicine, UNMC, 2024
- Interprofessional Academy of Educators, UNMC, 2019
- College of Medicine Class of 1962 Basic Science Outstanding Teacher Award, UNMC, 2017
- M1 Golden Apple Award, College of Medicine Class of 2020, UNMC, 2017
- Excellence in Basic Science Teaching Award, College of Medicine, UNMC, 2016
- Distinguished Service Teaching Award, Washington University School of Medicine Class of 2012, 2009