Distinguished Alumni, Honorary Alumni & Early Career Achievement Award Recipients
2012 Recipients
Honorary Alumnus Award: Robert T. Binhammer, PhD
Distinguished Alumnus Award: John "Pat" O'Gara, MD '62
Biographies
Robert T. Binhammer, PhD - Honorary Alumnus Award Recipient 
Robert Binhammer’s journey to one of UNMC’s most legendary professors began when he was a senior at Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A Kalamazoo alumnus from Texas suggested he look into the University of Texas-Galveston and in two weeks Dr. Binhammer was on his way to Texas to pursue his PhD in Anatomy. He completed his PhD in 1955 and held various positions at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine before coming to UNMC in 1979 to the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy.
It was in the 1980s when Dr. Binhammer’s primary focus at UNMC became the anatomy department. For many years, he coordinated the rigorous M1 anatomy course where students dissect cadavers to get a hands-on look at human anatomy. He takes great pride in challenging his students to think deeply about the material they are learning. His reputation is tough, but caring. Dr. Binhammer has stated, “We get the students to recognize how to deal with a mammoth amount of information and let them know we’re interested in problem-solving, not memorizing data.”
His style has left a lasting impression on his students. Students have fondly nicknamed him “The Hammer” and joke that you “haven’t been hammered until you’ve been hammered by Binhammer.” He is known for his “question of the day” at the beginning of each class and for standing on a table in his badminton shorts while he lectures and demonstrates the difference between a normal and an abnormal gait. He has received the Golden Apple Teaching Award several times, which is a student-selected award.
This August, Dr. Binhammer marked the beginning of his 34th year of teaching at UNMC, and over 55 years of teaching overall. While officially retired, Dr. Binhammer will continue as a volunteer professor, as he works for free to ensure the next generation of health care professionals get the best possible instruction. He has held many important committee assignments at UNMC and in the College of Medicine, constantly working behind the scenes to benefit the future of the College and its students.
Undoubtedly, Dr. Binhammer has made a lasting and meaningful impact on thousands of UNMC College of Medicine alumni. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, reading, wood sculpting, playing the recorder, sailing, and more.
John "Pat" O'Gara, MD '62 - Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner
John Patrick “Pat” O’Gara graduated from the UNMC College of Medicine in 1962 and built his distinguished medical career as an anesthesiologist at Methodist Hospital in Omaha. Throughout his career, 
Dr. O’Gara has been recognized by his peers and mentees as an outstanding clinician, compassionate educator, and curious academician.
Upon graduation from UNMC, Dr. O’Gara went on to residency positions at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois; the University of Wisconsin; and at UNMC. After completing his residency, he began work at the VA Hospital and joined the faculty at UNMC. In 1971, he joined the anesthesiology group at Methodist Hospital where he stayed until his retirement in 2005. At Methodist, Dr. O’Gara was involved in countless pursuits to advance the anesthesiology profession, Methodist Hospital, and UNMC. A few of his appointments at Methodist Hospital included: the Education Committee, the Infection Control Committee, the CPR Committee, and many others.
Throughout his career, Dr. O’Gara remained committed to working with medical students as they embarked on their anesthesia rotation, hosting medical students for one-month rotations six months out of the year. One of Dr. O’Gara’s peers observed that he “dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge and teaching.” For four decades, Dr. O’Gara actively participated (and continues to participate) in the anesthesiology Journal Club, even hosting the event in his home. Another colleague says that Dr. O’Gara’s “extensive reading and knowledge of the medical literature surpasses most academic clinicians.” Dr. O’Gara presented countless academic lectures at UNMC and Methodist Hospital for others to benefit from his knowledge and experience. One colleague also shares this, “Dr. O’Gara’s compassion and caring personality has comforted countless patients and their families throughout the years.” He is described as “kind, meticulous, unfailingly polite, grateful for those around him, and leaves nothing to chance.”
In addition to his clinical and academic endeavors, Dr. O’Gara has been a member and served in leadership roles of several professional organizations, including the Nebraska Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Medical Association, and he was presented the high honor of induction into the AOA Medical Honor Society in 1987. Dr. O’Gara has been a longtime selfless advocate for UNMC, helping organize the Class of 1962 reunion activities and class gifts. He and his wife Marilyn have five children and five grandchildren and reside in Omaha. He continues his daily medical reading and is the epitome of a “gentleman and a scholar.”
Past Recipients
2011 William Thorell, M.D., '96, Early Career Achievement Award
2011 F. William (Bill) Karrer, M.D., '56, Distinguished Alumnus Award
2011 David A. Crouse, Ph.D., Honorary Alumnus Award
2010 John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., Honorary Alumnus Award
2010 Myrna Newland, '64 Distinguished Alumnus Award
2010 Robert Wigton, '69 Distinguished Alumnus Award
2010 J. Scott Neumeister, '95 Early Career Achievement
2009 Michael F. Sorrell, '59 Distinguished Alumnus
2009 Scott C. Hofmann, '90 Early Career Achievement
2008 Paul R. Young, ’58
2007 Robert G. Volz, ’57
2006 No awards given
2005 James Christensen, '57, Peyton Pratt, '44
2004 John Goldner, '63, Rowen Zetterman, '69, and John Niemann named an Honorary Alumnus
2003 James Dunlap, ’50, Fred Ware, ’56 and Carol Angle, Honorary Member
2002 L. Thomas Hood, ’46, John C. Filkins, ’46, Edward Malashock, ’46
2001 James O. Armitage, ’73, Warren L. Berggren, ’55 and Gretchen M. Berggren, ’58 Charles W. Durham Received Honorary Distinguished Alumnus Award, Harold M. Maurer Received Honorary Distinguished Alumnus Award
2000 Richard B. Wilson, ’45, Doyt L. Conn, ’63
1999 Leland J. Olson, ’44, Wayne O. Southwick, ’47
1998 C. John Tupper, ’48, Donald P. Skoog, ’58
1997 George W. Loomis, ’47, Denham Harman, Honorary
1996 M. Lois Murphy, ’44, Harold A. Oberman, ’56
1995 William L. Rumbolz, ’44, Guinter Kahn, ’58
1994 Mike F. Sorrell, ’59, Joel T. Johnson, ’61
1993 J. Leonard Goldner, ’43, Austin L. Vickery, Jr., ’43
1992 Frederick F. Paustian, `53, Gail Walling, `61
1991 Robert L. Grissom, Honorary, ’41, Robert C. Rosenlof, ’51 Robert H. Waldman (Dean) Named Honorary Distinguished Alumnus Award, Charles E. Andrews (Chancellor) Named Honorary Distinguished Alumnus Award
1990 Merle M. Musselman, ’39 Received Alumni Service Award
Edward A. Holyoke, ’34 Received Alumni Achievement Award
1989 Harry W. McFadden ’43 Received Alumni Service Award
Stanley M. Truhlsen, ’44 Received Alumni Achievement Award
