Geoff Talmon, MD, calls himself a product of the University of Nebraska system from the very beginning, going from undergraduate training at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to med school to residency to faculty at UNMC, to the winner of this year’s University of Nebraska Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award (OTICA).
Dr. Talmon said his UNMC roots make getting the award, which recognizes individual faculty members who have demonstrated meritorious and sustained records of excellence and creativity in teaching, especially humbling.
“Having seen the caliber of educators that I had the opportunity to learn from throughout this entire journey and to be recognized among that group … it’s a wonderful, wonderful group to be a part of,” he said.
Dr. Talmon, vice chair for medical education in the UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology and associate dean for medical education in the UNMC College of Medicine, came to medical school aiming to be a family practice doctor. During his residency, he was asked to help teach a small group of second-year medical students.
It changed the course of his career.
“What I really liked was the ability to not just teach what other people taught, but build new things, try out new things and interact with lots of different groups of students,” he said. “That’s been one of the best parts of this journey — there’s always something fun and new to try.”
Another influence? Revered UNMC pathology faculty member James Newland, MD.
“I watched how he interacted with students, and thought, ‘I want to be that person.’”
Of course, there were other mentors, as well.
“I’ve had mentorship from so many people along the way, who have given me the opportunity to innovate,” Dr. Talmon said. “But that could be an Oscar speech.”
Instead, he points to the educational efforts he is most proud of his career.
He helped found UNMC’s Interprofessional Academy of Educators, with its mission to train and support innovative educators at the university.
“There was a lot of wonderful groundwork that was laid by Dr. (Dele) Davies and Dr. (Howard) Liu and their team to get the academy up and running, and I took the ball and ran with it. And they gave me room and support. We have a wonderful team at the IAE.”
One of his proudest moments at IAE was the creation of the Catalyst for Education Award, which recognizes the outstanding work of non-faculty members in UNMC’s educational mission.
Dr. Talmon also is proud of his work with the High School Alliance.
“Teaching high school students was definitely not in my wheelhouse,” he said. “But building a course that teaches graduate level material to high school students, I learned so much through that. It’s probably one of the most rewarding things that I do. I still teach that course after a decade.
“One thing that has helped me on my educational journey is there’s truly a collaborative spirit here. I’m involved in initiatives and committees with people from every college, every campus. It’s truly collaborative. And that’s the secret sauce to success for any educator: an environment like that, where everybody’s interested in trying new things and working together.”
Congratulations! Best wishes.
Congrats on this well deserved recognition Geoff and thanks for all you do for our students.
Congratulations, Geoff, on this much-deserved and special award to a very special teacher and contributor to the missions of UNMC and the College of Medicine. Thanks for all you do for our students.
Geoff, so very deserved!!! So happy to see your talents recognized yet again.
Dr. Talmon, this award is so well-deserved. You are a brilliant human with a remarkable way of approaching life, and it is a joy to work with you. You see challenges as opportunities and are humble enough to ‘revise the play’ if needed. And as always, include an appropriate movie reference the make things memorable.
Congratulations Dr. Talmon!
Congratulations on your award, Dr. Talmon! So well-deserved.
Congratulations Geoff! Very well deserved!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Dr. Talmon. It is an honor to work with you. Well deserved!
Geoff, congratulations. A well deserved honor!
Congrats. You are a truly great educator. It was a privilege to be able to work together.
Congratulations & so well deserved Dr. Talmon!
Awesome. Very well deserved. Congrats Geoff.
Congratulations, Dr. Talmon! Recognition well deserved.
Congratulations, Dr. Talmon! Such well deserved recognition!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Dr. Talmon on your accomplishment! It is a pleasure to work with you!
Congratulations and thank you for all that you do for the UNMC High School Alliance program!
Kudos, Dr. Talmon! Another feather in your cap! Thank you for all you do for our students and organizations!
Congratulations, Dr. Talmon! Well deserved!
Congratulations!
congratulations!
Congrats Geoff!!