Impact in Education: Abbey Fingeret, MD

Abbey Fingeret, MD, is the recipient of the Innovative Practices in Education Award. The 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.

• Name: Abbey Fingeret, MD
• Title: Associate professor, UNMC Division of Surgical Oncology
• Joined UNMC: 2016
• Hometown: Pittsburgh

You are the recipient of the Innovative Practices in Education Award. How has innovation played a part in your teaching career?

As an academic surgeon, I consider it my mission to innovate, initiate, critically evaluate, revise and sustain educational programming and curricula that meet the needs of the learner. I am committed to evolving medical education, both through the implementation of curricular innovations as well as their systematic appraisal and improvement. At UNMC, I have found a like-minded network of impassioned and dedicated educators who have inspired and motivated continued innovations. I have observed and applied novel tactics to teach cognitive and technical skills — challenged by the evolving learning styles of progressive generations of students as well as recent social and epidemiological constraints.

Describe your proudest moment as an educator.

Observing a learner progress from naivete to mastery of a concept or skill is the most rewarding aspect of teaching. As an educator, I take great pride when students demonstrate competency in a cognitive domain or skill that was previously foreign. It is particularly gratifying to witness this progression as students work together in a multidisciplinary or interprofessional setting, because in health care we do not function in silos. Incorporating interprofessional education provides our learners with the tools they need to be excellent communicators, clinicians, collaborators and lifelong learners.

What advice would you give other faculty members who want to have an impact in education?

Fundamentally, I believe that an educator’s primary responsibility is to exhibit enthusiasm — both for the subject matter and the charge. A curious and impassioned teacher can motivate the learner in a profound and enduring manner. A dedicated teacher who creates a welcoming, stimulating and productive environment will encourage learners to establish lifelong practice patterns.

Do you have a favorite quote or philosophy on teaching? My favorite and oft-cited quote on teaching is by French scholar Joseph Joubert: “To teach is to learn twice.”

For me, this serves as a reminder that I am always both an educator and a learner. My students teach me as much as I teach them — if not more — about the subject matter and the skills of an educator.