The University of Nebraska Medical Center has honored Scott Ehresman, M.D., a Holdrege, Neb., family physician, for his commitment to patient care and to training future physicians.
Dr. Ehresman received the first Theodore H. Koefoot Jr., M.D., Outstanding Preceptor in Rural Family Medicine Award during a March 9 luncheon at UNMC. The annual award recognizes outstanding teaching and mentoring by a UNMC family medicine volunteer community preceptor.
“When I found out I was very surprised and honored,” said Dr. Ehresman of learning he was this year’s recipient. “It’s a privilege to receive such an award and to continue Dr. Koefoot’s ideals and philosophies.” Among the students Dr. Ehresman mentored who nominated him for the Koefoot award, one wrote, “Dr. Ehresman embodies everything that this award aims to honor. He takes great pride in mentoring and teaching medical students during their family medicine rotation.
“Through his remarkable commitment to patient care, Dr. Ehresman reminded me of why I chose medicine as my life’s work. He takes interest in every patient and will go above and beyond the call of duty to take care of their needs.”
Michael Sitorius, M.D., chairman of the UNMC department of family medicine, said the student’s comments about Dr. Ehresman’s compassion and commitment exemplify his practice. They also describe the dedication, he said, of Dr. Koefoot, a long-time family physician.
“Dr. Koefoot was a charter preceptor for the University of Nebraska’s rural family medicine preceptorship who trained over 100 medical students during his career,” Dr. Sitorius said. “He was a vigorous supporter of the department of family medicine and of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.”
The Theodore H. Koefoot, M.D., Outstanding Preceptor in Rural Family Medicine Award was established in 2005 through a gift made to the University of Nebraska Foundation by Marion Koefoot, his wife, and his family, Nick and Gretchen Vondrak, Sarah and Gary Gernhart, Nicholas and Stephanie Vondrak and Suzanne and Brett Balak. Memorial gifts given by friends and patients following Dr. Koefoot’s death also contributed to the establishment of the award.
Dr. Koefoot was a family practice physician in Broken Bow, Neb., for 30 years. A 1943 graduate of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, he served as an assistant professor of family practice and on the UNMC Admissions Committee.
Dr. Koefoot also was a charter member of the American College of Family Physicians and a member of the American Academy of Family Practice.
“Medicine was his life and his love,” said Dr. Koefoot’s daughter, Gretchen Vondrak of Hastings. “He devoted all of his time and energy to his practice in Broken Bow.”
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology, ophthalmology and arthritis. UNMC’s research funding from external sources is now more than $72 million annually and has resulted in the creation of nearly 2,400 highly skilled jobs in the state.