Preceptor award announced in memory of Dr. Koefoot

Marion Koefoot and Scott Ehresman, M.D.

UNMC recently honored a Holdrege, Neb., family physician for his commitment to patient care and to training future physicians.

Scott Ehresman, M.D., received the first Theodore H. Koefoot Jr., M.D., Outstanding Preceptor in Rural Family Medicine Award during a luncheon Thursday at UNMC. The annual award recognizes outstanding teaching and mentoring by a UNMC family medicine volunteer community preceptor.

“When I found out I was very surprised and honored,” said Dr. Ehresman of learning he was this year’s recipient. “It’s a privilege to receive such an award and to continue Dr. Koefoot’s ideals and philosophies.”

Dr. Ehresman has practiced family medicine in Holdrege, Neb., for 16 years. A 1987 graduate of the UNMC College of Medicine, he also serves as a preceptor – physician providing medical students with practical experience and training – in the UNMC Rural Family Medicine Preceptorship.

Marion Koefoot, center, and her daughter, Gretchen Vondrak, with Scott Ehresman, M.D., right.

Among the students Dr. Ehresman mentored who nominated him for the Koefoot award, one wrote, “Dr. Ehresman embodies everything that this award aims to honor. He takes great pride in mentoring and teaching medical students during their family medicine rotation.

“Through his remarkable commitment to patient care, Dr. Ehresman reminded me of why I chose medicine as my life’s work. He takes interest in every patient and will go above and beyond the call of duty to take care of their needs.”

Michael Sitorius, M.D., chairman of the UNMC department of family medicine, said the student’s comments about Dr. Ehresman’s compassion and commitment exemplify his practice. They also describe the dedication, he said, of Dr. Koefoot, a long-time family physician.

“Dr. Koefoot was a charter preceptor for the University of Nebraska’s rural family medicine preceptorship who trained over hundred medical students during his career,” Dr. Sitorius said. “He was a vigorous supporter of the department of family medicine and of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.”

UNMC medical students Andrea Green, left, and Angie Kratochvil-Stava, right, nominated Scott Ehresman, M.D., for the Theodore H. Koefoot Jr., M.D., Outstanding Preceptor in Family Medicine Award.

The Theodore H. Koefoot Jr., M.D., Outstanding Preceptor in Rural Family Medicine Award was established in 2005 through a gift made to the University of Nebraska Foundation by Marion Koefoot, his wife, and his family, Nick and Gretchen Vondrak, Sarah and Gary Gernhart, Nicholas and Stephanie Vondrak and Suzanne and Brett Balak. Memorial gifts given by friends and patients following Dr. Koefoot’s death also contributed to the establishment of the award.

Dr. Koefoot was a family practice physician in Broken Bow, Neb., for 30 years. A 1943 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, he served as an assistant professor of family practice and on the UNMC Admissions Committee.

Dr. Koefoot also was a charter member of the American College of Family Physicians and a member of the American Academy of Family Practice.

“Medicine was his life and his love,” said Dr. Koefoot’s daughter, Gretchen Vondrak of Hastings. “He devoted all of his time and energy to his practice in Broken Bow.”