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Jack Matoole, M.D. |
John “Jack” Matoole, M.D., an emeritus professor in the UNMC 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.
To see Dr. Matoole’s obituary in the Omaha World-Herald, click here.
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 five- to 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!”
Dr. Matoole was an outstanding advocate for Veterans' health, and the missions of our Department of Internal Medicine and our School of Medicine. He was a man of the highest integrity, clinical skill and courage. I am grateful for knowing him.
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.
He was the best educator that I know of. His emphasis on physical examination and bedside teaching undoubtedly contributed to the professional growth of numerous residents and students. He empowered his residents to act independently and always supported their clinical decisions. I was blessed to have him as an attending during residency. He provided me with valuable career advise when I finished residency. I will miss him tremendously!