Drs. Mikuls, Cannella honored by American College of Rheumatology 

Ted Mikuls, MD, and Amy Cannella, MD, of the UNMC Division of Rheumatology and Immunology were recognized by the American College of Rheumatology during ACR Convergence 2024, held in November in Washington, D.C. The awards reflect their outstanding contributions to the advancement of rheumatology. 

“We are thrilled that the American College of Rheumatology honored two of our outstanding faculty at this year’s national meeting,” said James O’Dell, MD, chief of the division. “Dr. Mikuls continues to be responsible for much of our research success though his spectacular mentoring of students, residents, fellows and faculty. Dr. Cannella designed our fellowship (2005), which is regarded as one of the best in the country and has set the bar high as its only program director. Both have been pivotal for our success as an academic division of rheumatology.”

Dr. Mikuls, the Stokes-Shackleford Professor of Rheumatology, was awarded the Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award, which recognizes the importance of the mentor/mentee relationship and the influence it has on career development. 

He credits his mentors – Dr. O’Dell, Lynell Klassen, MD, and Gerald Moore, MD – for helping him achieve his goals, and he continues the positive mentoring experiences the division is known for by nurturing the next generation of providers. Bryant England, MD, PhD, associate professor in the division, is one of Dr. Mikuls’ mentees.

“To be recognized by the college and my rheumatology colleagues in this way is both humbling and gratifying,” Dr. Mikuls said. “It is especially gratifying to know that the nomination came from both mentees and mentors whose opinions I greatly value. I’ve been fortunate to have spent my entire career in a division that places a premium on education and to have amazingly talented trainees. Simply put, research mentoring has been my way to support our shared educational mission.”

Dr. Cannella, the Gerald F. Moore Professor of Rheumatology, was recognized with the Distinguished Fellowship Program Director Award, signifying that her efforts as the UNMC rheumatology fellowship program director have made outstanding contributions in the mentoring and training of future rheumatologists. 

UNMC’s nationally renowned rheumatology fellowship program matriculates three fellows each year into the two-year clinical program. She also is involved in medical school and resident education, co-directing the pre-clinical M1 and M2 Musculoskeletal Integument and Multi-Organ System Blocks and the clinical rheumatology curriculum for medical and physician assistant students and residents. She has led the development of several novel educational tools for rheumatology, including a video game on gout and an inter-professional pharmacology e-learning module.  

Dr. Cannella credits her mentors – Drs. O’Dell and Moore – for their unwavering support. She was given the opportunity, encouragement and resources to build curricula that best fit the vision. She is proud of her fellows and feels immense gratitude for the rheumatology faculty and support staff that play a pivotal role in the success of the rheumatology division’s educational footprint. 

“I am honored beyond measure to receive the Distinguished Fellowship Program Director Award,” Dr. Cannella said. “This career achievement award validates the effort, dedication and enthusiasm that drive my passion for education. I am humbled to be included among the former recipients of this award, who have inspired many program directors, including myself. I accept this award on behalf of the UNMC Division of Rheumatology faculty, who share a commitment and vision for educating the next generation of physicians.”