Geoffrey Talmon, M.D., has been named inaugural director of the new UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators.
Dr. Talmon, the James Linder, M.D., Residency Director Distinguished Chair, is a highly decorated classroom teacher who was named to UNMC’s Golden Apple Hall of Fame for his teaching skills.
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Andrew Patterson, M.D., Ph.D., Larson Professor of Anesthesiology | Kim Michael, Joseph and Darlene Anderson Distinguished Professor of Imaging Science |
Joining Dr. Talmon as part of the academy’s leadership team will be:
- Kim Michael, Joseph and Darlene Anderson Distinguished Professor of Imaging Sciences and associate professor in the College of Allied Health Professions. Michael holds a master’s in health studies and is a registered diagnostic medical sonographer, vascular technologist and radiographer; and
- Andrew Patterson, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice chair and Larson Professor of Anesthesiology in the College of Medicine.
“All three of the leaders bring exceptional commitment to health science education and have a strong track record of working with other health professionals,” said Dele Davies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs. “This is a great start for the academy, and with these leaders, I am confident that the foundation is being laid for a very successful academy.”
UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., said he was excited for the future of the IAE.
About the Interprofessional Academy of Educators
The Interprofessional Academy of Educators’ mission is to provide a resource that will elevate the level of teaching across all colleges and share innovations with UNMC’s alumni and community partners.
“It is not an honorary club,” said Howard Liu, M.D. “It is a volunteer society founded on citizenship. Its members will equip faculty with the most effective teaching techniques to improve student learning, mentor faculty in their development as health science educators, and enhance UNMC’s national reputation by doubling our educational scholarship over the next 5 years.”
Dr. Liu said the the greatest impact of the IAE will be felt by UNMC students as they perceive a common standard of excellence in their classrooms and clinics.
“With this accomplished leadership team, IAE will enable UNMC to continue to fulfill its mission to provide world-class health care education from both the clinical and research aspects,” Dr. Gold said. “The academy will further strengthen UNMC’s important interprofessional initiatives.”
The team provides a strong interprofessional mix of background and experience.
“The decision to have two associates was based on ensuring there was interdisciplinary representation while ensuring key skill sets were represented on the leadership,” Dr. Davies said. “Both associate directors bring very different but important skills to the position.”
Howard Liu, M.D., who co-chaired the search committee, called the leadership team an outstanding combination of a variety of strengths.
“Geoff Talmon has excelled in instruction across all training levels and has extensive experience integrating technology into education,” Dr. Liu said.
“Drew Patterson recently joined our faculty from Stanford and is nationally respected for his leadership in lifelong learning with the board of directors of the American Board of Anesthesiology.
“Finally, Kim Michael brings her experience as director of the diagnostic medical sonography program and is an outstanding teacher in her own right,” he said.
Greg Karst, Ph.D., Dr. Liu’s co-chair, said, “This is an exceptionally talented and visionary leadership team that has been assembled to launch the IAE at UNMC.
“The team members have diverse backgrounds and skill sets that will foster innovation, and are all strongly committed to the academy mission of fostering a vibrant interprofessional community of educators.
“I am particularly pleased that each of the team members is committed to including in that community our faculty colleagues on all of the UNMC campuses, our alumni, and our clinical preceptors who play a vital role in all UNMC health professions education programs.”
A search is ongoing for a Ph.D. education specialist to add to the team.