COPH Awards

Awards and Descriptions

Award Opportunities


Chancellor Robert D. Sparks, MD, 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.

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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.

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Excellence in Teaching Award

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.

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Faculty Research Award

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

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Fred & Eve Simon Public Health “Impact” Prize

 Award Amount $1,000

 Eligible candidates are governing faculty members whose research and/or service has significantly impacted Nebraska.  A student or faculty member may nominate eligible faculty for this award.

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