Meet Outstanding Teacher Awardee Whitney Goldner, M.D.

Whitney Goldner, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine in the section of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism, is among the three UNMC faculty members who will receive Outstanding Teaching Awards at Wednesday’s Annual Faculty meeting.

Below, Dr. Goldner reflects on what it means to be a teacher.

Whitney Goldner, M.D.

• Name: Whitney Goldner, M.D.
  
• Title: Associate professor of internal medicine in the section of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism
  
• Joined UNMC: 2004
  
• Hometown: Norfolk

What are the greatest rewards of being a teacher?

It is extremely rewarding to be part of the learning process for students, residents and fellows. Even though they are all at different points in their education, there is still that moment when you can see someone transform from observing to really understanding what they are learning. That is an exciting transformation.

Describe a moment in your career when you realized you had picked the right occupation.

Shortly after I came to UNMC, I realized that this was the perfect place for me. I love the balance of seeing patients, teaching and doing research.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a teacher?

Trying to keep learning fun and fulfilling while balancing all the recent changes in graduate medical education.

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

When a trainee remembers things we have discussed, whether they are big or small, and is able to apply those pieces of information or knowledge to other situations, which ultimately makes him or her a better physician. I love to hear from fellows and residents once they have graduated to learn what information influenced them most for their post-graduate jobs.

List three things few people know about you.

• I met my husband in the first year of medical school and we were married in our third year. We just celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary and have three children — Ethan, 11, Zachary, 9, and Edie, 6.
  
• I love “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
  
• I love to downhill ski.