Four faculty members at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have
been chosen as outstanding teachers for 1998. They were honored recently
at the annual faculty awards program and reception on the UNMC campus.
The Outstanding Teacher Awards were presented to Linda Fell, assistant
professor in the medical technology division of the School of Allied Health
Professions; Michael Hammeke, M.D., associate professor in the department
of internal medicine and section chief of nephrology; David Steele, Ph.D.,
associate professor in the department of family medicine; and Gilbert Willett,
assistant professor in the physical therapy education division of the School
of Allied Health Professions.
A graduate of Creighton University, Fell serves as both assistant professor
and education coordinator for the medical technology division of the School
of Allied Professions. Her selection for UNMC’s teacher award was based,
in part, on her efforts to place medical technology students in public
health rotations and small laboratory settings to better prepare them for
today’s team-based approach to health care.
Fell received the Technologist of the Year award from the Nebraska Society
for Clinical Laboratory Science in 1995 and the Clinical Instructor of
the Year award from UNMC’s division of medical technology in 1995. She
also received an award for outstanding service from the division in 1993.
Dr. Hammeke joined UNMC in 1994 after a 17-year career at Creighton
University. Under his direction, nephrology has become the elective of
choice for UNMC’s medical students and residents. Dr. Hammeke also has
been instrumental in recruiting new faculty who share his commitment to
high quality education.
After his first year at UNMC, Dr. Hammeke received the Sir William Osler
Teaching Award from his medicine residents. In 1982 and 1988, he received
the James F. Sullivan Award from Creighton University. In 1980, he received
the Golden Apple, a teaching recognition award from Creighton’s senior
class.
Dr. Steele is an associate professor in the department of family medicine
and also serves as director of the Integrated Clinical Experience program,
a required two-year course of study for first- and second-year medical
students. The program provides early clinical experiences in primary care
settings in metropolitan and rural areas and related instruction in the
social, behavioral and ethical foundations of medicine.
Previously a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Steele
arrived at UNMC in 1991. At that time, the College of Medicine was revising
its medical student curriculum and Dr. Steele began training faculty for
their new roles as facilitators of problem-based and small group learning.
Willett began his teaching career at UNMC in 1990. As assistant professor
in the physical therapy education division, he provides classroom, laboratory
and clinical instruction to physical therapy students. He also has been
active in the instruction of UNMC medical and physician assistant students.
In addition to his current honor, Willett is the 1996 recipient of the
Alvin M. Earle Outstanding Health Science Educator Award and has completed
requirements of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists to become
a board-certified specialist in the field of orthopedics.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education and patient care, UNMC has
established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research
and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than $25 million in
research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually.
In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more
health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.
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