SAHP announces 2004 award winners

Pat Hageman, Ph.D., center, holds the Outstanding Teacher Award and mask of Tammy Roehrs, as physical therapy education staff and faculty members look on.

When Tammy Roehrs was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year last month at the 2004 School of Allied Health Professions Awards program, she was in South America. But, thanks to a home-made special effect, Roehrs was still present – and in more than just spirit.

Roehrs, assistant professor in physical therapy education, received one of the three top honors bestowed each year by SAHP. Sam Sanderson, Ph.D., associate professor in the clinical perfusion program, was named Outstanding Researcher of the Year. Nicole “Nikki” Simmons, administrative staff member of physician assistant education, received the Outstanding Service to the Allied Health Professions Award.

The 17th Annual School of Allied Health Professions Research Forum preceded the SAHP Awards program. This year, 109 students created 56 posters.

Irene Klintberg, Ph.D., executive associate dean of the College of Medicine, gave keynote remarks to open the ceremony. Dr. Klintberg is a former recipient of the Outstanding Service Award to the Allied Health Professions and is a longtime supporter of SAHP programs and faculty, including participating in the recent successful accreditation review of the physical therapy program.

Mary Haven, associate dean of SAHP, highlighted another banner year of SAHP successes. There were 167 new students – 139 from Nebraska – for a total of 323 SAHP students, including returning students. This was the third largest group of full-time students in the UNMC system.

Cynthia Vasquez, a 2004 graduate of radiation science, with her poster on the Ilizarov device to extend a human leg. Vasquez wore the device for six months when she was 12 years old to add one inch to her right leg.

SAHP students passed their board, certification and licensure exams at a much higher rate than the national average – 100 percent of SAHP’s students passed their exams on the first attempt, compared to the national rates which range from 64 percent to 88 percent.

Two SAHP programs made the U.S. News and World Report list of Best Graduate Schools. Physician Assistant Education was ranked 14 out of 40 and Physical Therapy Education was 31 out of 141 – both programs are in the nation’s top 20 percent.

Mary Haven, second from right, with Nicole Simmons and her husband, Mark, left, and James Somers, Ph.D., associate professor and program director, physician assistant education.

Several SAHP students received national scholarships awards. Mandy Kent won the Mary McMillan Scholarship Award, one of the nation’s most prestigious awards from the American Physical Therapy Association. Four students won five national medical technology scholarship awards – Tracey Boesch, Emily Helton, Amber Gilliam and Elizabeth Doll (who won two). Three students won four national clinical perfusion scholarships – Karen Witherspoon, Douglas Wick and Carrie Wittacker (who won two). National scholarship awards also were given to Kelly McCormick, medical nutrition, and Jenny Mapes, physician assistant education.

Roehrs was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year for her “impeccable organization of educational content” and “enthusiastic teaching style,” Haven said. Roehrs’ creativity and motivating personality makes one of physical therapy’s most challenging classes a student favorite. In addition, she is one of only 300 physical therapists (out of 100,000 practicing nationally) who is a board certified specialist in neurological physical therapy. She is active in the section for neurology of the American Physical Therapy Association and serves as a key national adviser to other health care professionals and clients with multiple sclerosis.

Mary Haven, left, with Sam Sanderson, Ph.D., and his wife Anna and two sons, Brian, center, and Scott.

Pat Hageman, Ph.D., program director and professor of physical therapy education, accepted the award on Roehrs’ behalf. Standing behind the podium, Dr. Hageman produced a large paper mask with Roehrs’ face on it. Covering her own face with Roehrs’, Dr. Hageman then spoke of how thrilled she was to receive this award, drawing great laughter and applause from the audience. The “acceptance speech” was videotaped and mailed to Roehrs after the program.

The Outstanding Research of the Year honor was awarded to Dr. Sanderson, who joined SAHP in July 2002. His primary research began with peptide interaction with the immune system and evolved to the study of the nicotine molecule attached to a specific peptide and its potential as a vaccine against nicotine. He received $200,000 in grants and private donations for his research. If he is successful in providing that his nicotine vaccine is compatible with humans, he can qualify for an additional $750,000 grant. His research is beginning to draw national recognition.

Physician assistant students Jennifer Mapes, left, and Barbara Roessner with their poster on using mistletoe as a treatment for cancer. Mapes is a breast cancer survivor.

Simmons was nominated for the Outstanding Service to Allied Health Professions Award by the physician assistant students. She was the first person they encountered when they interviewed to enter the program. She is well-know among students and faculty for her consistent proficiency, kindness during stressful situations and anticipating the needs of individual students. From interview to graduation, Simmons is the “go to” staff member for physician assistant students.