While his classroom challenges may give some a headache, Robert Binhammer, Ph.D., always prepares his students to succeed in the medical field.
On Friday, UNMC students recognized the educational contributions of Dr. Binhammer, professor and vice chairman of UNMC’s genetics, cell biology and anatomy department, by awarding him the 2001 Alvin Earle Outstanding Health Science Educator Award for exemplary teaching.
“It’s really special to receive an award named after a friend and colleague who received so many awards,” said Dr. Binhammer, who challenges students to visualize, not just memorize, anatomy terms. “It’s mind-boggling.”
Also nominated for the award were Thomas McDonald, Ph.D., pathology/microbiology; Mark Edwards, M.D., family medicine; Paul Larsen, Ph.D., pediatric neurology; Jean Deupree, Ph.D., pharmacology; Carol Lomneth, Ph.D., genetics, cell biology and anatomy; and Tammy Roehrs, physical therapy education.
“Dr. Binhammer makes his students work hard but in the process they learn and leave his classes better trained and equipped to serve in the medical field,” one nominator said. “Not only do his students come away with a solid knowledge base, but also memories of once-in-a-lifetime humorous moments, both in lecture and anatomy.”
The Alvin Earle Award, the only award initiated and given by UNMC students, is presented to an instructor who has demonstrated sincere interest in his discipline, involvement with students and excellence in the quality of instruction. Award recipients receive a $500 honorarium and have their name added to the Alvin M. Earle plaque in the Wittson Hall lobby.
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In 1968, Dr. Earle joined UNMC, where he taught neural sciences to students in all five of the colleges. During his tenure, he received numerous teaching awards. When he retired in 1994, the UNMC Student Senate established the award in his name to recognize outstanding teaching and mentoring.
After being asked to help with small group discussions in the mid-1980s, Dr. Binhammer took Dr. Earle’s summer course on neuroscience to refresh his neuroscience vocabulary. “I literally worked my tail off,” he said.
Although Dr. Binhammer’s students work hard, he also makes his classroom experiences memorable. Said one nominator: “I will not only remember Dr. Binhammer as the man who led Christmas carols in his red and green sweater over the lunch hour, or as the man who wasn’t afraid to show us his boxer shorts just so we knew precisely where the gluteal folds were, or as the man responsible for my headaches from August through October, but as one of the best professors that I’ve ever had.”
“One reason we can aspire to be a world-class institution is because of the excellent teachers on this campus,” said David Carver, Ph.D., adviser to the UNMC Student Senate.
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Also nominated for the award, along with excerpts from student nomination letters, were:
- Thomas McDonald, Ph.D., professor, pathology/microbiology
“Dr. McDonald has the gift of making immunology not only intelligible, but also entertaining.I was pleasantly surprised by his great sense of humor, energy and never-ending quest to make immunology enjoyable, clinically relevant and most importantly, accessible.” - Mark Edwards, M.D., assistant professor, family medicine
“He genuinely cares about his patients, and takes it upon himself to help relieve their suffering as much as he can, not because it is his job, but because it is his passion.Indeed in the all-too-cynical world of modern medicine, Mark Edwards is a breath of fresh and positive air.” - Paul Larsen, M.D., professor, pediatrics neurology
“He always makes sure that students understand the material he presents — he’s organized and students notice that he has taken time to carefully plan the presentation of his lecture material in a way that is easier to learn and remember.” - Jean Deupree, Ph.D., associate professor, pharmacology
“Dr. Deupree is not only organized in her presentation, precise in her teaching and very knowledgeable, but she is also genuinely interested in her students.she wants them to learn.” - Carol Lomneth, Ph.D., assistant professor, genetics, cell biology and anatomy
“You can tell that Dr. Lomneth is dedicated to her students and to teaching.when in lab, she will walk around the room checking to see if students have questions or if they are having other problems.” - Tammy Roehrs, assistant professor, physical therapy education
“I think it is extremely difficult for a professor to keep their teaching intensity, excitement and energy for the subject matter at a constant high every day. Professor Roehrs does this effortlessly and with great enthusiasm.her tireless efforts ultimately make me a better physical therapist.”