Dr. Paulman honored with universitywide teaching award

Paul Paulman, M.D., is a teachers’ teacher.

As the assistant dean for clinical skills, education and quality in the College of Medicine, Dr. Paulman lives by the “if you teach a man to fish” philosophy.

And he does it while making his students laugh.

Many UNMC medical students consider it a privilege to be taught and/or mentored by Paul Paulman, M.D., second from left.

“Med students feel it a privilege to have had him as an instructor and mentor,” said Kurt Cornish, Ph.D., professor of cellular and integrative physiology. “They know that he really cares about them and is doing his best to make them the best.”

His success teaching techniques have earned Dr. Paulman the universitywide Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity award for 2010.

“Dr. Paulman is an outstanding physician who is highly regarded for his excellence in clinical skills, teaching ability, and creativity in teaching family practice medicine to students and resident,” said his nominator, Paul Larsen, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics & Neurological Sciences and past OTICA recipient. “The University of Nebraska is fortunate to have an individual with the outstanding character and abilities possessed by Dr. Paulman.”

Below, Dr. Paulman reflects on the art of teaching:

What is the greatest reward of being a teacher?

Helping students progress from memorizing to problem solving.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a teacher?

Overcoming barriers in designing experiential learning for students.

How do you know when you’ve been successful as a teacher?

When students step out of their comfort zones and accomplish things they thought they couldn’t do.

List three things few people know about you.

• I’ve walked on all seven continents.
  
• I’m Level 1 certified for high power model rocketry.
  
• I’m a terrible dancer.