Over the past 16 years, Steven M. Denenberg, M.D., has contributed to the UNMC College of Medicine by teaching residents the details of facial plastic surgery and instructing them in patient-friendly office techniques.
“I try hard to give the residents an exceptional learning experience,” Dr. Denenberg said. “At the same time, with every lecture, I continually relearn the material even better than before.”
In 1986, Dr. Denenberg joined the College of Medicine’s volunteer faculty program as an adjunct clinical assistant professor. He has assisted residents with plans for entering the field of facial plastics and given many well-thought-out and beautifully illustrated lectures to the residents.
For his many contributions, he received the College of Medicine’s Volunteer Faculty of the Month Award for June 2002.
“Dr. Denenberg is a world-class facial plastic surgeon, who brings to our residents not only the techniques of performing these delicate operations, but also the ways to interact with patients in a very friendly and pleasing manner,” said Donald Leopold, M.D., chairman of the department of head and neck surgery.
Dr. Denenberg earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard University in 1977 and his medical degree from UNMC in 1980. After completing his residency in otolaryngology / head and neck surgery in 1984 at Stanford University, he completed a fellowship in reconstructive and aesthetic facial surgery in 1985. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Recontstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) in Birmingham, Ala., sponsored the fellowship. While working on his fellowship, he became a clinical instructor in facial plastic surgery for the department of otolaryngology / head and neck surgery at the University of Alabama Medical Center in January 1985.
Since 1985, Dr. Denenberg has run his own private practice as a facial plastic surgeon in Omaha and offers his assistance and services to the major hospitals in the area. In addition to his current practice, Dr. Denenberg holds a position on the Board of Directors of the AAFPRS, where he also served as chairman of the Publications Committee.
Knowing he makes a difference to the residents who come to his lectures and observe his surgeries is one of the benefits of teaching, Dr. Denenberg said.
“I learned what I know from others who took the time and made an effort to teach,” he said. “It’s important to pass that learning along.”