Drs. O’Dell, Paulman honored as Educators Laureate

James O’Dell, M.D., Stokes Shackleford Professor and vice chair in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, and chief of the UNMC Division of Rheumatology, and Paul Paulman, M.D., professor in the UNMC Department of Family Medicine, will be honored on Feb. 7 when they will be named the Varner Educator Laureates for 2018-19 as part of the 2018 Academic Affairs Impact in Education Award celebration.

The event will be held at 2 p.m. in the Durham Research Center Auditorium. Faculty, staff and students are invited to the event.

“UNMC is very fortunate to have a high cadre of dedicated and excellent faculty who contribute to making our education mission a reality,” said Dele Davies, M.D., vice chancellor of academic affairs. “Choosing the very best among them is not an easy task, but I commend our award review committee for selecting a very high caliber of award recipients who truly exemplify this excellence. Our students have and will continue to be the primary beneficiaries of this innovative group of faculty.”

“The recipients of the Impact in Education Awards are exemplary members of a robust educational community at UNMC,” said Brian Boerner, M.D., director of the Interprofessional Academy of Educators. “Through their passion and dedication, these innovative faculty have cultivated strategies that enhance the learner experience and further the educational mission at UNMC.”

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 2018-19 Academic Affairs Impact in Education Awards include:

Innovative Practices in Education Award:

• Danish Bhatti, M.D., assistant professor, UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences

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:

• Shannon Boerner, M.D., assistant professor, UNMC Department of Internal Medicine

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:

• Elizabeth Beam, Ph.D., assistant professor, UNMC College of Nursing Omaha Division

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

Research in Education Scholar Award:

• Kendra Schmid, Ph.D., professor and interim chair, UNMC Department of Biostatistics

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:

• James Newland, M.D., emeritus professor, UNMC Department of Pathology & Microbiology

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:

• Karen Gould, Ph.D., vice chair of education and associate professor, UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy

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.