Honeycutt named Educator Laureate for 2017

Karen Honeycutt, an associate professor and program director in the UNMC Division of Medical Laboratory Science in the College of Allied Health Professions, has been named UNMC’s 2017 Varner Educator Laureate.

She will be honored, along with six fellow faculty members, at the Academic Affairs Impact in Education Awards Ceremony at 3 p.m. on Jan. 11 in the Durham Research Center Auditorium.

“I am very honored to receive the Educator Laureate Award and greatly appreciate the campus’ encouragement and support for faculty and programs to explore innovative educational endeavors,” Honeycutt said.

The Varner Educator Laureate Award recognizes an individual with sustained achievement in education who has significantly improved the UNMC learning environment through the provision of outstanding educational experiences.

Other recipients of 2017 Academic Affairs Impact in Education Awards include:

Innovative Practices in Education Award:

• Tanya Custer, assistant professor and distance education coordinator for the UNMC Department of Medical Imaging & Therapeutic Sciences, and Kim Michael, associate professor and program director of diagnostic medical sonography education and associate director of the Interprofessional Academy of Educators

This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates ingenuity, courage and creativity in teaching including innovations in use of educational technology, experiential learning, adoption of simulation and creative use of the classroom, as well as an engaging presentation style.

Inspirational Mentor of Educators Award:

• Shantaram Joshi, Ph.D., professor, UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy

This award recognizes an individual who has mentored and sponsored junior faculty or trainees at the local, regional or national level including a consistent track record of fostering future educators.

Interprofessional Education Scholar Award:

• Cynthia Ellis, M.D., professor, UNMC Department of Developmental Medicine at the Munroe-Meyer Institute

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to interprofessional education locally, regionally or nationally.

Research in Education Scholar Award:

• Paul Schenarts, M.D., professor, UNMC Department of Surgery

This award recognizes an individual who has advanced the educational literature through peer-reviewed publications, educational grants and original research.

Valor in Educational Service Award:

• Robert Binhammer, Ph.D., emeritus professor, UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy

This award recognizes volunteer, emeritus, or adjunct faculty whose daily service to our learners exemplifies the spirit of outstanding teaching or clinical supervision.

Visionary Leadership in Education Award:

• Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, Ph.D., professor, UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated the ability to skillfully establish or administer an educational initiative or role at UNMC or a national organization.