Dr. Latacha recognized with basic science teaching award

Kimberly Latacha, Ph.D., assistant professor and vice chair for medical education for the UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, has received the 2017 Basic Science Outstanding Teaching Award from the College of Medicine and the Class of 1962. The award, which includes a $10,000 stipend, is given annually to recognize UNMC’s best basic science teachers.

An Omaha native, Dr. Latacha has been on the UNMC faculty since 2009, serving as a gross anatomy professor for students seeking to become either physicians, physical therapists or physician assistants. She earned her undergraduate degree from Truman State in 1998 and her Ph.D. from UNMC in 2002. From 2002-2009, she was a gross anatomy instructor at Washington University in St. Louis.

“I want to thank the College of Medicine and the Class of 1962 for giving me this award,” Dr. Latacha said. “As a basic science educator, it’s especially meaningful to me. Basic science education is very important in teaching the foundational aspects of medicine. I appreciate the Class of 1962 for recognizing the value of basic science education.”

The award was established in 1987 in conjunction with the Class of 1962’s 25th reunion and has been given annually since 1989. Faculty eligible for the award must be from one of these four departments — biochemistry and molecular biology, cellular and integrative physiology, genetics, cell biology and anatomy, or pharmacology and experimental neuroscience — and be teaching in the first two years of the basic science curriculum.

The award criteria includes teaching evaluations, teaching honors, outstanding leadership in advancing learning, recognition from peers on teaching abilities, innovation and leadership.

Dr. Latacha was recognized at a small luncheon hosted by the UNMC Alumni Association on May 17. Attendees at the luncheon included Gerald (Jay) Moore, M.D., senior associate dean for academic affairs, and two members of the Class of 1962, Pat O’Gara, M.D., and Bill Orr, M.D., along with their spouses.