Faculty receive UNMC educational awards

James O'Dell, M.D., the Stokes Shackleford Professor andvice chair of the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of InternalMedicine, and Paul Paulman, M.D., professor in the UNMC Department of FamilyMedicine, were honored as the Varner Educator Laureates for 2018-19.

The Varner Educator Laureate Awards were presented at theImpact in Education Awards Celebration through UNMC’s Academic Affairs Office.The awards recognize individuals with sustained achievement in education whohave significantly improved the UNMC learning environment through the provisionof outstanding educational experiences.

The Varner Educator Laureate Award - UNMC’s top award foreducators - is named after Jerald Varner, Ph.D., associate professor in theUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering. In addition to hissupport of the Impact in Education Awards, Dr. Varner also currently funds theVarner Professorship in Pancreatic Cancer and Global Health in the UNMC Collegeof Medicine, which is held by Chandra Are, M.B.B.S.

Dr. O’Dell has served as chief of the division ofrheumatology since 1990 and as vice chair of internal medicine since 1997. Heearned his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering (with highestdistinction) from UNL and his medical degree from UNMC. He did his residency ininternal medicine at UNMC and his rheumatology fellowship at the University ofColorado Health Sciences Center.

Dr. O’Dell joined UNMC in 1984 as assistant professor andwas elevated to associate professor in 1990 and to professor in 1996. He hasserved as director of the residency program for internal medicine since 1990.

Dr. O'Dell has established himself as a clinician, educatorand researcher. He has trained the majority of internists and many of thesubspecialists currently practicing throughout Nebraska. He also has developedmedical breakthrough therapies for rheumatoid arthritis and providedcompassionate care for thousands of patients and their families.

Dr. Paulman earned his undergraduate degree from KearneyState College (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney) and his medicaldegree from UNMC. He did his residency in family medicine at Broadlawns MedicalCenter in Des Moines, Iowa. After working in Spalding, Nebraska, as a familyphysician for two years, he joined the UNMC Department of Family Medicine in1982 as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor in 1991and to professor in 1997.

During his 37 years on the faculty, Dr. Paulman has been adriving force on several educational initiatives at UNMC. He helped spearheadthe creation of the SHARING Clinics, a student-run clinical program designed toprovide students with more opportunities to interact with patients. Morerecently, he helped launch the Simulation in Motion-Nebraska (SIM-NE) trucks,which travel around the state to provide emergency medical personnel valuabletraining in emergency care through simulation exercises.

Other recipients of 2018-19 Impact in Education Awardsinclude:

Innovative Practices in Education Award:
Danish Bhatti, M.D., assistant professor, UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences. This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates ingenuity, courage and creativity in teaching, including innovations in use of educational technology, experiential learning, adoption of simulation and creative use of the classroom, as well as an engaging presentation style.

Inspirational Mentor of Educators Award:
Shannon Boerner, M.D., assistant professor, UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. This award recognizes an individual who has mentored and sponsored junior faculty or trainees at the local, regional or national level, including a consistent track record of fostering future educators.

Interprofessional Education Scholar Award:
Elizabeth Beam, Ph.D., assistant professor, UNMC College of Nursing Omaha Division. This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to interprofessional education locally, regionally or nationally.

Research in Education Scholar Award:
Kendra Schmid, Ph.D., professor and interim chair, UNMC Department of Biostatistics. This award recognizes an individual who has advanced the educational literature through peer-reviewed publications, educational grants and original research.

Valor in Educational Service Award:
James Newland, M.D., emeritus professor, UNMC Department of Pathology & Microbiology. This award recognizes volunteer, emeritus, or adjunct faculty whose daily service to learners exemplifies the spirit of outstanding teaching or clinical supervision.

Visionary Leadership in Education Award:
Karen Gould, Ph.D., vice chair of education and associate professor, UNMC Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated the ability to skillfully establish or administer an educational initiative or role at UNMC or a national organization.