John "Jack" Matoole, M.D., an emeritus professor in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Internal Medicine, died Dec. 9 at the age of 85.
When he retired from teaching in 2013, Tom Tape, M.D., general internal medicine chief, called him one of the best teachers ever at UNMC.
"Dr. Matoole was a legendary medical educator who taught generations of UNMC students and residents," he said. "He had enormous respect for students and motived them to do their very best."
Dr. Matoole received numerous teaching awards during his half-century as a medical educator and was especially renowned for his bedside teaching, Dr. Tape said.
"He put patients first and was skilled at navigating the complexities of the health care system for the betterment of patients," he said. "Jack was one of the first people to welcome me to UNMC when I arrived in 1986 – we have been friends ever since. I will miss his warmth, his wisdom, and his professionalism."
Dr. Matoole, a Navy veteran, also was a former chief of staff at the Omaha Veterans Administration Medical Center, a position he held until 2000. His career at UNMC lasted nearly 50 years.
In 2010, he was recognized by the Nebraska Chapter of the American College of Physicians with their highest award, the Laureate.
"Generations of students and residents are better doctors and thousands of veterans have enjoyed better health because of Jack," said James O'Dell, M.D., vice chair of internal medicine and chief of rheumatology.
Chad Vokoun, M.D., an associate professor in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine and a former chief resident at the VA Medical Center, worked with Dr. Matoole as a student, a resident and a fellow faculty member.
"He has had as much impact on this campus – educationally, in internal medicine and beyond – as anyone," Dr. Vokoun said.
He pointed to Dr. Matoole’s pioneering focus on patient-centeredness and his habit of bedside rounding, both of which have come into wide usage in health care in the past 5-10 years.
Dr. Vokoun remembered the way Dr. Matoole would draw the patients at the VA into his lessons with the students. "They were really engaged," he said.
"The extra time he spent with students was remarkable," Dr. Vokoun said. "He stressed the physical exam, and I think that's a dying art now."
Sarah Richards, M.D., called Dr. Matoole a master educator, especially when it came to teaching about heart murmurs.
"He was able to re-create the different heart sounds using his finger on the end of our stethoscopes," she said. "I will never forget that!"
The Matoole file
– Born July 30, 1932 in Casper, Wyo. Died Dec. 9, 2017 at the age of 85.
– Graduated from Natrona County High School in Casper
– 1953 – Undergraduate degree, Creighton University
– 1957 – Medical degree, Creighton University
– Married Joan Vandenberg of Omaha, Sept. 8, 1956; married for 61 years
– Internship, Kansas City General Hospital followed by residency in internal medicine at Creighton University Medical Center, which was completed in 1961
– Served in the U.S. Navy as Lt. Commander from 1961 to 1963, after which he returned to Omaha and began his academic career at the UNMC College of Medicine.
– He rose to professorship with an additional academic appointment at Creighton University School of Medicine.
– In 1967 he became chief of staff at the Omaha Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC), a position he held until 2000.
– He worked effectively with UNMC and Creighton to mutually benefit the VAMC and the medical schools.
– Dr. Matoole directed the Dean's Committee at the VAMC and was instrumental in developing the VAMC into a medical center of high quality.
– Diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine
– Fellow and Laureate of the American College of Physicians
– Honors and awards included membership in Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society, and the Exceptional Service Award of the Department of Veterans Affairs
– A superb teacher, Dr. Matoole received the Top Teacher Award from the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine 16 times.
– He received the Lifetime Teaching Award from the department and the Dedicated Teacher Award of the American College of Physicians.
– He served 47 years as a clinical attending physician.
– He is remembered by hundreds of students, residents and colleagues as a beloved teacher and friend to whom he provided intellectual challenges and the example of a compassionate and a supremely able physician.
– He is survived by his wife, Joan; and son, Dr. Patrick Matoole.
– Services were held Dec. 13 at St. Francis and Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Greenwood, Ind., with interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Greenwood.
– Memorials may be directed to Franciscan Hermitage, 3650 E. 46th Street, Indianapolis, Ind. 46205 or the University of Nebraska Foundation, 1010 Lincoln Mall, Lincoln, Neb. 68508.
For a look at Dr. Matoole’s sense of humor, here’s a story from the UNMC Today newsletter that ran in 2013 at the time of his retirement.
What others are saying
"Dr. Matoole had a huge impact on the Department of Internal Medicine as an extraordinary clinician-educator who was based at the VA. So many medical students and residents received 'pearls' of clinical wisdom from Dr. Matoole and they became better physicians because of the time and energy he spent with them. We were blessed to have him as a part of our department."
Debra Romberger, M.D., Henry J. Lehnhoff Professor and Chair, UNMC Department of Internal Medicine
"As chief of staff at the Omaha Veteran’s Hospital for almost 35 years, Dr. Matoole improved the quality of patient care and safety for our nation's veterans, enhanced the education of countless students and residents from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University, and served as a mentor to many of us as we grew up in academic medicine. He was a consummate clinician and educator and recognized for these skills with many teaching awards."
Rowen Zetterman, M.D., director, Faculty Mentorship Programs, associate vice chancellor for strategic planning
"I was fortunate enough to learn from Dr. Matoole as both a medical student and a resident. He inspired me to be my very best and to work harder than I ever had before. I am a better doctor because of him."
Sarah Richards, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine
"Jack Matoole was a gifted internist, legendary teacher and exemplary role model. Generations of students and residents are better docs and thousands of veterans have enjoyed better health because of Jack."
James O'Dell, M.D., Stokes Shackleford Professor and vice chair, UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, chief of the UNMC Division of Rheumatology
"I've been blessed to have had many great teachers over the years, but none like Jack Matoole. He was probably the best internist I've ever known. He was a tremendous source of support during medical school and in my first years as a young doctor. I loved the man and am very sad to hear he has passed. The impact of his work lives on in the tens of thousands of patients he cared for and in the many hundreds of practicing physicians across Nebraska and Iowa he molded over the years."
James Maliszewski, M.D., assistant professor, internal medicine
"I was blessed to have worked with Dr. Matoole as a student at the VA. He taught us from Harrison’s and made sure we knew the information. But what I remember most is his sense of humor! If a student said, ‘CTA,’ then he might joke and say, ‘We don't need X-ray machines! We can spin the student around the patient!’ He will be missed."
Sheritta Strong, M.D., assistant professor, psychiatry
"Dr. Matoole was an outstanding advocate for veterans’ health and the missions of our Department of Internal Medicine and our College of Medicine. He was a man of the highest integrity, clinical skill and courage. I am grateful for knowing him."
Mark Mailliard, M.D., professor, internal medicine – gastroenterology
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