James O’Dell, M.D., named Educator Laureate

For James O’Dell, M.D., teaching is a family tradition — a proud tradition he has continued and one that he will be honored for Thursday.

Dr. O’Dell, the Stokes Shackleford Professor and vice chair in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, and chief of the UNMC Division of Rheumatology, will be named one of the Varner Educators Laureate for 2018-19.

The award for his excellence in teaching will be presented at the Academic Affairs Impact in Education Awards Ceremony at 2 p.m. in the Durham Research Center Auditorium. Paul Paulman, M.D., professor in the UNMC Department of Family Medicine, also will receive a Varner Educators Laureate award.

Dr. O’Dell’s mother was a teacher, his grandfather a scoutmaster for 50 years, and, two years ago, his younger brother, David O’Dell, M.D., professor, internal medicine, was named the inaugural Educator Laureate.

“When I got into medicine it became clear to me that I had the wonderful opportunity to pursue both my passion for patient care and teaching. To do this I made the decision during my residency to go into academic medicine.”

Dr. O’Dell readily recognizes all the mentors whose shoulders he stands upon. His list includes some of UNMC’s most legendary educators — the late internal medicine professor LeeRoy Meyer, M.D.; rheumatologist Gerald Moore, M.D., senior associate dean for academic affairs, College of Medicine; Bob Wigton, M.D., assistant dean of special projects, College of Medicine; James Armitage, M.D., Joe Shapiro Professor of Medicine; Lynell Klassen, M.D., professor, rheumatology; and the late Bob Waldman, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine from 1985-1991.

But, the most profound impact was made by Michael Sorrell, M.D., world-renowned liver physician who built UNMC’s transplant programs and was chair of the internal medicine department during the 1980s. He chose Dr. O’Dell as his first-ever chief resident.

And, it was Dr. Sorrell who lured him back to UNMC from the University of Colorado, Denver, where Dr. O’Dell had just fallen in love with research. The promise of directing the internal medicine resident training program sealed the deal.

Just like that, Dr. O’Dell became what’s known as a ‘triple threat’ – a clinician, educator and researcher. Since 1984, he has trained the majority of internists and many of the subspecialists who are currently practicing throughout Nebraska, developed medical breakthrough therapies for rheumatoid arthritis and provided compassionate care for thousands of patients and their families.

Advice: “Teaching is its own reward. Have fun with your students and don’t miss the opportunity to learn from them. Sometimes it takes a while to see the fruits of your efforts — sit back and enjoy the tremendous ripple effect of your teaching.”