Every team should have someone like Gerald (Jay) Moore, MD.
The Moore file
Personal
- Born – Sept. 2, 1946, Lincoln, Nebraska
- His father, Carroll, was a physics/astronomy professor at Nebraska Wesleyan University. His mother, June, taught musical strings for junior high and high school students.
Education/training
- 1968 – BS, Nebraska Wesleyan University
- 1971 – MD, UNMC College of Medicine
- 1971-1972 – internship, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Michigan
- 1972-1975 – internal medicine residency, UNMC
- 1976 – rheumatology externship, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- 1984-1985 – rheumatology fellowship, National Institutes of Health
UNMC College of Medicine appointments
- 1974-1975 – chief resident, internal medicine
- 1975-1976 – instructor, internal medicine
- 1976-1987 – assistant professor, internal medicine
- 1987-1999 – associate professor, internal medicine
- 1999-present – professor, internal medicine
- 1978 – acting director, emergency room
- 1979-1982 – acting chief, section of rheumatology
- 1990-1991 – interim program director, physician assistant program
- 1990-present – medical director, physician assistant program
- 1985-1997 – assistant dean for curriculum, UNMC College of Medicine
- 1997-2006 – associate dean for curriculum
- 2006-present – senior associate dean for academic affairs
- 2016-present – staff physician, Department of Veterans Affairs, Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System
Honors and awards
- 1981 – Sir William Osler Teaching Award, UNMC Department of Internal Medicine
- 1984 – Golden Apple Award, UNMC College of Medicine (second-year class, American Medical Student Association)
- 1987 – Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
- 1989 – Certificate of Merit – Excellence in Teaching (fourth-year class)
- 1990-1991 – Certificate of Merit – Excellence in Small Group Education (second-year class)
- 1995 – Faculty fellow, Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
- 1998 – Senior Class Recognition for Contribution to Education
- 2008 – Hirshmann Prize for Teaching Excellence-Golden Apple Award, UNMC College of Medicine Class of 2008
- 2012 – LeeRoy Meyer Dedicated Teacher Award, American College of Physicians (Nebraska Chapter)
- Internal Medicine Top Teachers Award (more than 15 times)
Memberships
- 1983-present – American College of Rheumatology
1985-present – Group on Medical Education, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) - 1990-present – Association of Physician Assistant Programs
- 1996-present – medical school liaison officer, National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
- 2005-present – Master, American College of Physicians
Research/community outreach
- Three research grants totaling more than $1.7 million
- Research work includes 27 publications, six chapters, four books, 27 abstracts, and 64 presentations.
You know the type. The person who comes to work every day and always gets the job done. Someone who is caring and always willing to listen and help others. The guy who never seeks notoriety for himself, but rather prefers to see others in the spotlight.
As one colleague said, “Jay would bake his own confetti birthday cake . . . so that no one else would make a big deal of his day.”
After nearly 35 years as the ‘education icon’ for the College of Medicine, Dr. Moore, 74, will retire at the end of the year as senior associate dean for academic affairs. Dr. Moore will remain on campus for the near future as an advisor to the College of Medicine.
The plaudits for Dr. Moore abound:
“A pillar of stability and leadership,” said Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, UNMC chancellor.
“He has had a profound impact on the delivery of health care throughout Nebraska . . . something that will endure for years to come,” said Bradley Britigan, MD, dean, College of Medicine.
“His wisdom, mentorship, and advocacy have been absolutely irreplaceable and a major reason that our students have been so successful,” said Geoffrey Talmon, MD, assistant dean for medical education.
“The silent and invisible force for medical education on our campus,” said Chandra Are, MD, associate dean for graduate medical education.
“Jay has been the Energizer Bunny of academic affairs,” said Robert Wigton, MD, professor, internal medicine.
“Jay will always be synonymous with UNMC medical education at its finest,” said Jeff Hill, MD, former associate dean for admissions and student affairs.
The process of becoming a physician is rigorous. Can you imagine being the person ultimately responsible for developing the curriculum that will make sure medical students are ready to practice in the real world?
It’s a huge task, but it only scratches the surface of what Dr. Moore — a rheumatologist — has brought to the medical center.
“Many know Jay Moore from his long and spectacular contributions in the dean’s office,” said James O’Dell, professor, internal medicine, and chief of the division of rheumatology and immunology. “I know Jay for his legendary teaching skills, many and varied contributions to rheumatology, huge impact on internal medicine training and as a friend who always says, ‘Yes.'”
Dr. O’Dell said the Sir William Osler Teaching Award — the most coveted teaching award for internal medicine faculty — was created specifically to honor Dr. Moore. He adds that Dr. Moore has been on the Top Teachers list for internal medicine more than 30 times.
A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Dr. Moore first stepped foot on the UNMC campus as a medical student in 1967. With the exception of one-year internship in Michigan and a one-year fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, he’s been here ever since.
Combining problem-based learning with lecture has been the best formula for training UNMC’s medical students, Dr. Moore said.
“What we’ve done in medical education is at the forefront of change,” he said. “The structure of our baseline curriculum is among the best in the nation. A lot of other schools have followed our example and gone to the same thing.
“What makes it work is that we have dedicated students with a strong Midwest work ethic. They are very committed. People ask me why I do what I do. I feel like we’ve accomplished some things. There’s a lot of pleasure in that.”
And — for once, Dr. Moore — the spotlight is yours. Take a bow — you deserve it. Job well done.
Recognizing Dr. Moore
In recognition of all Gerald Moore, MD, has done for the UNMC College of Medicine, two major initiatives are currently underway through the University of Nebraska Foundation:
- The Gerald F. Moore, MD, Professorship has been established and will be awarded to the director of the fellowship program in rheumatology. The division intends to elevate this endowed faculty position to a chair.
- The Gerald F. Moore, MD, Fund for Wellness and Student Enrichment has been created and will recognize Dr. Moore in the Wellness Center to be created in the northeast corner of the third floor of the Sorrell Center. The facility will provide students with an area they can go to relax. It is expected to be completed by the spring of 2021.
“Dr. Moore’s impact and the inspiration he has provided for countless medical students and residents over the last half century are truly extraordinary,” said James O’Dell, MD, professor internal medicine, and chief of the rheumatology and immunology division. “He will be profoundly missed.”
“I have always thought of Dr. Moore as the education ‘icon’ for the college. He is who I immediately go to for advice when we have a graduate or an undergraduate education issue. I have leaned on his greater than 35 years of focus and experience on education issues heavily during my tenure with the college. His direct approach to working through education issues always has impressed me.”
Dr. Moore has had a profound impact on my career and my work as an educator and physician. I distinctly remember him at multiple places throughout my career first starting with him preparing our class for the rigors of medical school during my white coat ceremony in August 1997, then as my very first attending on my internal medicine clerkship and finally as my boss in my College of Medicine leadership roles. At each of these steps along the way, Dr. Moore has been instrumental to my development as a physician. I have learned so much from him and will forever be grateful for his guidance and mentorship along the way. Thanks Dr. Moore!
Dr. Moore is a legend in medical education. Dr. Moore is an incredible leader who advocates for his students with logic, passion and a grounded sense of what is best for them. Dr. Moore always asks really good questions. I have learned from him since 2006 as a clerkship director and then in my roles in student affairs.
He does not like to be in the spotlight. I remember that for so many years he would bake his own confetti birthday cake – I assume so that no one else would make a big deal of his day.
Dr. Moore has built the College of Medicine into what it is today – from the big picture to the small details. We will continue his legacy through all that he has taught us. He has made all of us – faculty, residents, students and staff – better. I personally am very grateful for his mentorship and guidance.
I have known and worked with Dr. Moore since the late 1970s. His commitment and passion for education of all learners was evident early in his career. Jay is an excellent clinician and
detail-oriented. These are traits that have contributed to his success as a clinician, educator and leader in the College of Medicine and UNMC.
Medical care in Nebraska has benefitted through his contributions to the education and professional development of two generations of medical students, many who are continuing to care for Nebraskans today.
I have had the privilege to know and work for Jay Moore for close to 40 of my 50+ years, and have enjoyed every single one with him. He has been my faculty support for the annual Honors Convocation and Hooding Ceremony for graduating medical students as well as the former chair of the Clerkship Directors and Curriculum Committee for the College of Medicine. We also worked very closely together on the Scholarship Committee. In his various roles he has been a very strong student advocate and was always willing to listen to student opinions or always available for questions and concerns.
One of my favorite memories was the year he was at the NIH on a sabbatical and not available for the Honors Convocation and Hooding Ceremony. I told him I didn’t think I could handle the program by myself, and he convinced me that I could. He told me to call him when I got home, regardless of the time, and I did. Now mind you, this was 11 p.m. on a Saturday night, too!
When my mother passed in 1990, I called and asked him to be a pallbearer. He replied, ‘Yes,’ and then asked me, “What time is the wedding?” I said I don’t know the time of the wedding, but I can tell you the time of the funeral. It lent some levity to a sad day.
Congratulations on a new phase of your life – you have been a wonderful supervisor, mentor, and most of all someone I am proud to call my friend!
Jay has been an important academic leader in the UNMC College of Medicine for more than four decades, guiding students and faculty through innovations in curriculum design, counseling, and developing the student affairs office. How he has been able to accomplish so much in the time he has had is a mystery to many of us. For me, Jay has been the Energizer Bunny of academic affairs. In addition he has been seeing patients in the clinic as a respected practicing rheumatologist. He has guided the college though a number of curricular and evaluation changes, establishing the College of Medicine as an important national leader in improving medical education.
It has been such a joy working with you for the last 5 years, and sharing an office! You are always welcome here!