Awards and Descriptions
- Chancellor Robert D. Sparks, M.D., Award in Public Health and Preventive Medicine
- Chancellor Robert D. Sparks, M.D., Pre-professional Student Scholarship in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Chancellor Robert D. Sparks, M.D., Public Health Research Student Award
- Carruth J. Wagner, M.D., Scholarship in Public Health
- Carruth J. Wagner, MD, Faculty Prize in Public Health
- Excellence in Teaching Award
- Faculty Research Award
Click here for a list of past award recipients
Chancellor Robert D. Sparks, M.D., Award in Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Award Amount $1,000
This award recognizes outstanding innovation and impact on preventing disease and promoting health through public health education, research, and practice, with particular attention to the needs of Nebraska and its citizens.
Eligible candidates are public health professionals, University of Nebraska faculty members, or volunteers related to public health who demonstrate excellence, creativity, and/or distinguished collaboration in advancing effective approaches to improving public health. The selection criteria address the degree to which an individual demonstrates excellence, creativity, and/or distinguished collaboration in advancing effective approaches to preventing disease and promotion health through public health education, research, and/or practice.
Self-nominations are encouraged.
How to Nominate/Self-Nominate:
1. Nomination form (PDF HERE)
Self-Nomination form (PDF HERE)
2. Letter of support. See form for instructions.
Nominees will be notified of nomination and will be asked to submit documents.
Nominations, including self-nominations are due January 30, 2015
Chancellor Robert D. Sparks, M.D., Pre-professional Student Scholarship in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Award Amount $1,000
This award is to recognize an outstanding student majoring in a field related to health promotion and disease prevention on any campus of the University of Nebraska.
Scholarship award shall be applied toward tuition and fees in the subsequent academic year. Upon completion of the scholarship year, the recipient shall submit a brief report (less than five pages), to the COPH Dean describing her/his experience during the year and the impact of the scholarship on academic and career plans.
Eligible candidates are regularly-enrolled University of Nebraska undergraduate students in good academic standing who are majoring in a field related to health promotion and disease prevention. Majors may include, but are not limited to, undergraduate health professions, community health education, nutrition, psychology, biology, and exercise physiology. Candidates shall have expressed an interest in a career addressing health promotion and disease prevention, and insight into and understanding of careers related to health promotion and disease prevention. The career plan may focus on education, research, and/or practice, with particular attention to the needs of Nebraska and its citizens.
How to Apply:
1. Applicant Form (PDF HERE)
2. See form for instructions on additional documents to submit
3. Faculty Letter of Support
Complete applications are due February 27, 2015
Chancellor Robert D. Sparks, M.D., Public Health Research Student Award
Award Amount $1,000
Award is to be used for research support, research-related activities, and expenses necessary to execute the defined public health research project.
Eligible candidates are full time College of Public Health students in good academic standing who are enrolled in master’s or doctorate programs and have defined a public health research project. The selection criteria address the degree to which the student’s defined research project demonstrates disease prevention and health promotion through public health education, research, and/or practice, with particular attention to the needs of Nebraska and its citizens.
How to Apply:
1. Applicant Form (PDF HERE)
2. Faculty Letter of Support (see form for instructions)
Complete applications are due February 27, 2015
Carruth J. Wagner, M.D., Scholarship in Public Health
Award Amount $1,500
Scholarship award shall be applied toward tuition and fees in the subsequent academic year. It is anticipated that a minimum of four scholarships will be awarded with a minimum of two going to MPH students and two going to MS/PhD students.
Eligible candidates are full time UNMC College of Public Health students in good academic standing who are enrolled in masters or doctoral programs and have defined a public health research project. The selection criteria address the student’s academic qualifications, career goals, potential for contributions to the field of public health, and views of public health challenges and how leadership in public health may meet those challenges.
How to Apply:
1. Applicant Form (PDF HERE)
2. Two letters of recommendation (see form for instructions)
Complete applications are due February 27, 2015
Carruth J. Wagner, MD, Faculty Prize in Public Health
Award Amount $2,500; Note the award may constitute taxable income to recipient.
Eligible candidates are UNMC College of Public Health governing faculty members at the rank of assistant or associate professor who have shown promise in research and service. Preference shall be given to faculty who have developed partnerships or conducted research impacting tribal communities. The selection criteria address the degree to which the candidate’s work increases public health awareness and raises the level of interest in public health careers among students.
How to Nominate:
1. Nomination Form (PDF HERE)
2. Email nomination to amschumaker@unmc.edu
Nominees will be notified of nomination and will be asked to submit documents.
Nominations, including self-nominations, are due January 30, 2015
Award Amount $3,500; Note the award may constitute taxable income to recipient. In addition to the award, a plaque with the faculty’s name will be placed inside the COPH Dean’s Conference Room.
The award recognizes a UNMC College of Public Health governing faculty member for excellence in teaching, including classroom instruction, innovation in teaching methods, advising, and other activities that have promoted and expanded the students’ learning experience. Faculty members that have won a teaching award will only be eligible for another award after 5 years.
How to Nominate:
1. Nomination Form (PDF HERE)
2. Email nomination to rjaeckel@unmc.edu
Nominees will be notified of nomination and will be asked to submit documents.
Nominations are due January 30, 2015
Award Amount $2,000; Note the award may constitute taxable income to recipient.
Governing Faculty members at the rank of Assistant Professor of COPH who have an active research program are eligible for nomination. The research award is for an individual and not for a team of researchers. Faculty members that have received this award are not eligible to receive the award again. Faculty members who have received UNMC Distinguished Scientist Award are also excluded.
Selection Criteria
• Research program has been advanced while a member of the Governing Faculty in the COPH
• Research contributes to the advancement of public health science and practice
• Researcher has published research in refereed journals
• Researcher has received intramural or extramural funding
• Research has been presented at regional, national, and/or international conferences
Each COPH department chair will submit one assistant professor for nomination to the Associate Dean for Research. Nominees will be contacted by the Associate Dean for Research to submit documentation for review by the committee. Nominations are due January 30, 2015.
