Awards Program

The following awards are presented by the respective UNMC alumni associations and are the highest honors the alumni associations bestow upon graduates and friends of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the respective colleges. A completed nomination form must be submitted, along with two letters of recommendation, to nominate a candidate for any of the alumni awards.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2013 Alumni Reunion Weekend for Medicine, Nursing & Pharmacy.  These nominations are due by March 1, 2013.  Nominations for the SAHP reunion are now closed and these awards will be presented in July 2013.  The College of Public Health Alumni Chapter is now accepting nominations for the Spirit of Service Award.  These nominations are due by February 28, 2013.

For more information about the awards, call the UNMC Alumni Office at (402) 559-4385 or toll-free at (888) 725-8664.

College of Medicine Alumni Association

The Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award is presented to a living graduate of the UNMC College of Medicine to recognize noteworthy contributions and service to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Alumni Association, the medical profession and to the health of all people through patient care, research, teaching and/or health services administration. The recipient will demonstrate the highest principles of the medical profession and serve as a role model for current and future physicians and health care professionals.

The Early Career Achievement in Medicine Award is presented to an alumnus who has graduated within the last 20 years from the UNMC College of Medicine. The award recognizes an individual who has made distinguished achievements and contributions early in her or his career to the medical profession, the UNMC College of Medicine or the Alumni Association.

The Honorary Medical Alumnus Award is presented to a living non-graduate of the UNMC College of Medicine who has had a significant impact through professional or personal contributions to the UNMC College of Medicine, the Alumni Association, and the delivery of health care or medical education.

College of Nursing Alumni Association

The Distinguished Nursing Alumnus Award is presented to honor and promote outstanding achievement in nursing by a living graduate of the UNMC College of Nursing. The recipient will demonstrate marked achievement and contributions in one or more of the following areas: nursing practice, nursing research and publications, community service, professional development, education and nursing leadership.

The Nursing Excellence Award is presented to honor and promote outstanding achievement in nursing by an individual who graduated from the UNMC College of Nursing within the last five years. The recipient will demonstrate early achievements in one or more of the following areas: nursing practice, nursing research and publications, community service, professional development, education and nursing leadership.

The Honorary Nursing Alumnus Award is presented to recognize a non-graduate of the UNMC College of Nursing who has demonstrated loyal and distinguished service and contributions to the College of Nursing or the Alumni Association.

The Dorothy Patach Spirit of Service Award is presented to a UNMC College of Nursing Alumnus who has contriubuted not only to the nursing profession, but to his/her community and improving the lives of others.

College of Pharmacy Alumni Association

The Distinguished Pharmacy Alumnus Award is presented to a living graduate of the UNMC College of Pharmacy to recognize an individual's noteworthy contributions to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the pharmacy profession and to the health of all people through patient care, research, teaching and/or health services administration. The recipient will demonstrate the highest principles of the pharmacy profession and serve as a role model for current and future pharmacists.

The Early Career Achievement in Pharmacy Award is presented to an alumnus who has graduated within the last 20 years from the UNMC College of Pharmacy. The award recognizes an individual who has made distinguished achievements and contributions early in her or his career to the pharmacy profession, the UNMC College of Pharmacy or the Alumni Association.

The Honorary Alumnus Award is presented to a living non-graduate of the UNMC College of Pharmacy who has had a significant impact through their professional or personal contributions to the mission of the UNMC College of Pharmacy, the UNMC Pharmacy Alumni Chapter and/or the provision of pharmacy education. 

School of Allied Health Professions Alumni Chapters 

The next SAHP Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented at the all SAHP Reunion, July 19-20, 2013. This includes: physical therapy, physician assistant, clinical laboratory science/medical technology, radiation science technology education, medical nutrition, cytotechnology, and clinical perfusion.

The UNMC School of Allied Health Professions Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented to a living graduate of a respective UNMC School of Allied Health Professions (SAHP) to recognize an individual’s noteworthy contributions to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the respective Allied Health profession and to the health of all people through patient care, research, teaching and/or health services administration. The recipient will demonstrate the highest principles of his/her SAHP profession and serve as a role model for current and future health care professional. 

College of Public Health 

Spirit of Service Award

Each year, this award is given to the COPH Alumni Chapter member or supporter who most greatly embodies a spirit of service to the chapter membership. This spirit may be shown through their actions, the resources they provide in time, talent, or contributions they provide, or their outward dedication to the chapter and its continued success.  Download the Spirit of Service Award nomination form.