Amy Cannella, MD, will be the recipient of the Outstanding Teacher Award during the UNMC Faculty Senate annual meeting on April 15. The award recognizes faculty who exemplify excellence as a director of learning, advisor of students, facilitator of human relations and/or promoter of the improvement of educational quality at UNMC.
- Name: Amy Cannella, MD
- Titles: Gerald F. Moore Professor in Rheumatology; program director, rheumatology fellowship program, and section chief of rheumatology, Omaha VA Hospital
- Joined UNMC: 2005
- Hometown: Grand Island
What are the greatest rewards of teaching?
I truly enjoy watching the trajectory of learning from the M1 year through the end of residency or fellowship training. I am incredibly lucky to have a footprint in all levels of training at UNMC. Seeing medical students transitioning to competent, autonomous and compassionate physicians is the greatest reward of all.
Describe a moment in your career when you realized you had picked the right occupation.
I am reminded that this was the right choice when I am in a lecture hall, small group or one-on-one teaching, and I see the “aha” moment of comprehension. Nothing in my role as a clinician educator is about me; it is all about the learners and, ultimately, the patients they will serve.
What are the biggest challenges you face as a teacher?
As an older clinician educator, I find that one of my greatest challenges has been to acknowledge, adapt to and embrace the changing landscape of post-graduate education. I see change as opportunity and always try to meet learners where they need me most.
How do you know when you’ve been successful as a teacher?
I feel successful as a teacher whenever any learner tells me that I made a difference in their educational journey.
Congratulations Dr. Cannella!
Dr Cannella was hand-picked out of 1000 IM residents to become the first and only PD of Rheumatology where she has built one of the best fellowships in the US, this coupled with he M1 and M2 live patient encounters, 4 Golden Apples among many other things make her supremely deserving of this award.
Congratulations, Dr. Cannella. This is a well-deserved honor!
Congrats Dr. Cannella! This is so well deserved!
No surprise at all with this, congratulations!
Also love that there is a Gerald Moore professorship and that you have it, both very fitting honors.
Congratulations! Undoubtedly, one of my favorite physicians to have ever had the opportunity from which to learn. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Cannella.