Toni Ganzel, MD, dean of the University of Louisville School of Medicine and a 1978 graduate of UNMC, received the UNMC College of Medicine’s Distinguished Alumnus Award during the college’s alumni festivities this summer.
Dr. Ganzel, a Harvard Macy Scholar and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine, said the award “means the world, because this is where I began my medical career. I didn’t anticipate when I started that medical career where my ultimate career path would take me, but this was a wonderful launch pad.
“And I married one of my classmates, so there’s that.”
See a photo album from the event.
Dr. Ganzel’s award was presented by the College of Medicine Alumni Council during a “Dean’s Reception” held during UNMC Alumni Reunion Weekend for the UNMC Colleges of Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.
Other awardees included:
- Dedication to Student Excellence Award: Dennis Strauss, MD, class of 1968
- Early Career Achievement Award: Geoffrey Talmon, MD, class of 2003
- Honorary Alumnus Award: Anthony Yonkers, MD
See full biosketches of the award recipients.
About 65 alumni and guests attended the college of medicine’s event, which also featured Dean Bradley Britigan, MD, delivering the “State of the College” presentation to alumni.
Dr. Ganzel, who also holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, said she was excited to be part of a group that included Dr. Yonkers, who she called “one of the most influential teachers and mentors of my career.”
And she offered this advice to current UNMC medical students:
“I would love to tell the students to choose the field that they love, to do what they love and call it work, and to appreciate the impact they have,” she said. “Think about the things they do, because what they do really matters. But also, think about the future and how they can give back, and be intentional about what they want to do and where they want to go.
“Sometimes, if you think about growing into and finding the sweet spot of your leadership potential, it can be proactive – I want to be a department chair, I want to be a dean. But don’t discount the possibility that sometimes you’re just asked to step in, and if you’re asked to lean in and step up, say yes, if it’s the right time in your career, in your personal and professional life — and then bloom where you’re planted and love what you do.”