Gary Conell, M.D., a family practice physician at Midlands Family Medicine in North Platte and a rural residency director for UNMC, recently received the 2010 Marion D. and Theodore H. Koefoot, Jr. M.D., Outstanding Preceptor in Rural Family Medicine Award.
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Gary Conell, M.D. |
Since the early 1970s, Dr. Conell has hosted between 10 and 12 medical students each year in his clinic.
Below, the 1971 College of Medicine graduate reflects on being a preceptor.
Why is it important to you to be a preceptor?
I think the most important thing is the experience that I get nurturing new physicians. It keeps me on my toes.
Describe a significant moment/experience with a student that demonstrates to you that you’ve done your job.
The most significant moment came in a letter that I got several years ago from a physician I precepted with 10 years before that. She is an obstetrician/gynecologist in Dallas and she wanted to thank me because she said I was the first person to make her think like a doctor. I think that is an important phenomenon as far as medical education is concerned.
What do you get out of being a preceptor?
The satisfaction of being comfortable with the job that you do and the ability to pass that information on so that someone else can benefit from it.