Recognized for teaching, mentoring and community service
Seven University of Nebraska Medical Center faculty members have received awards for their exceptional work.
Outstanding teaching awards were given to Pamela Carmines, Ph.D., Shantaram Joshi, Ph.D., Richard MacDonald, Ph.D., and Chad Vokoun, M.D. David Brown, Ph.D., was honored for his community service, while Steve Caplan, Ph.D., was recognized for his mentoring.
One other faculty member – Kurtis Cornish, Ph.D., – received a university-wide award. Dr. Cornish earned the Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award (OTICA).
Dr. Carmines is professor and vice chair for graduate education in the department of cellular and integrative physiology. She was recognized for providing insight and direction to students as they pursue their research projects. She developed a handbook to guide graduate students through each step toward earning their degree. She also works to ensure student accomplishments are recognized, in part through a website directory of current and former students. These efforts reflect her desire that each student maximally benefits from his/her graduate training.
Dr. Joshi is professor, genetics, cell biology and anatomy. He was instrumental in developing a series of core courses in the Biomedical Research Training Program and helped develop an anatomy course for the UNMC High School Alliance students. He works tirelessly to ensure that academic courses and research programs meet the needs of medical and graduate students.
Dr. MacDonald is professor, biochemistry and molecular biology. He was recognized for his efforts in making it easy for students to understand an incredibly difficult subject in biochemistry. He was cited for his ability to convert students’ curiosity, energy and enthusiasm into understanding how to do something and how things work.
Dr. Vokoun is an assistant professor in the internal medicine department, section of general medicine, and associate director of the internal medicine residency program. After serving as chief resident at UNMC, he joined the UNMC faculty in 2004. Dr. Vokoun is involved in advising and mentoring more than 45 residents. He spends more than 1,300 hours a year in direct contact with students and residents and has designed several courses for them.
Dr. Brown is professor, oral biology, and executive associate dean for the UNMC College of Dentistry. He received the UNMC Spirit of Community Service Award. Dr. Brown leads the College of Dentistry in two major community initiatives – the Children’s Dental Day program, which provides free dental care to needy children, and the Dental SHARING Clinic, which provides free dental care to homeless and underserved residents in Lincoln. The college has provided more than $2 million in dental care to nearly 5,000 people through these two programs.
Dr. Caplan is associate professor, biochemistry and molecular biology. He received the Outstanding Faculty Mentor of Graduate Students Award. He was cited for continually challenging students to pursue their own ideas and for his dedication in developing scientific aptitude in people associated with him.
Dr. Cornish is professor, cellular and integrative physiology, and vice chairman of education for the UNMC College of Medicine. Called “the ultimate educator,” Dr. Cornish was lauded for his teaching practices. For example, in teaching students how to place nasogastric tubes – an essential skill – Dr. Cornish allows them to place a tube in his own nose, despite the discomfort of the process. He also is an innovator who created the “J-term,” an intense, three-day June workshop in which medical students learn key diagnostic and treatment skills they need to transition from medical school to clinical practice.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.
