Awards mark teaching excellence

Geoffrey Talmon, M.D.

Geoffrey Talmon, M.D., will never win another Golden Apple Award.

No, the associate professor of pathology and microbiology hasn’t lost his teaching mojo. But when he received his seventh consecutive Golden Apple Award for excellence in education from the second-year medical students recently, he officially became “retired” from future award consideration and moved into the Golden Apple Hall of Fame — only the seventh faculty member so honored.

Dr. Talmon coordinates the pathology content and the hematology/oncology portion of the second-year medical curriculum. He’s been the Golden Apple Award recipient for the second-year class every year since 2008, also receiving the Hirschmann Prize for pre-clinical education in 2012.

“Dr. Talmon obviously excels at teaching and is well deserving of this award,” said Gerald Moore, M.D., senior associate dean for academic affairs.

Carrie Elzie, Ph.D.

Dr. Talmon wasn’t the only faculty member recognized for his teaching skills when The Golden Apple Awards and Hirschmann Prizes for Teaching Excellence were announced by College of Medicine students.

Carrie Elzie, Ph.D., assistant professor, genetics, cell biology, and anatomy, received the Golden Apple Award from the first-year medical students. Students lauded Dr. Elzie for delivering content in an understandable and organized manner, demonstrating professionalism, stimulating learning and inquiry in students, and recognizing and accommodating students’ particular educational needs.

Richard MacDonald, Ph.D.

The Hirschmann Prize for Excellence in Education is awarded to pre-clinical and clinical faculty. The prize was created through the generosity of College of Medicine alumni Dr. Jerome Hirschmann, Class of 1941, a retired cardiologist, and his son, Dr. Richard Hirschmann, Class of 1973, a pediatric anesthesiologist.

Richard MacDonald, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, was awarded the Hirschmann Prize for pre-clinical education. Students said Dr. MacDonald embodies the role of educator on a daily basis, adding that his desire for each student to not only understand the answers, but also the questions, makes his teaching style perfect for medical students.

J.Scott Neumeister, M.D.

J. Scott Neumeister, M.D., internal medicine, was awarded the Hirschmann for clinical education. Students called Dr. Neumeister’s contribution to UNMC clinical education unparalleled. He constantly pushes and empowers medical students to not only think like a physician, but also to have conviction in both their diagnostic and clinical skills.

“These faculty members provide an excellent educational experience for students,” Dr. Moore said. “They are to be congratulated.”