The 2026 Innovators in Education program highlighted the latest in digital learning last month at UNMC’s Truhlsen Campus Events Center. UNMC students, faculty and staff from all colleges and multiple campuses attended to see the e-modules in action and celebrate this year’s cohort.
New this year, a live webinar allowed developers to demonstrate their e-modules to viewers across the state. The virtual showcase also livestreamed the keynote address and awards ceremony.
Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, attended the e-module demonstrations and opened the recognition program with remarks. He has championed the e-learning awards program since its inception.
“It was wonderful to see the breadth of talent and creativity on display across this year’s e-learning modules. The wide range of topics, paired with the creative ways students used interactive elements to engage learners and bring complex concepts to life, reflects the high caliber of this program and the important role it plays in advancing health science education at UNMC,” Dr. Davies said. “I want to congratulate Peggy Moore, the entire Interactive E-Learning staff and all of this year’s participants for their outstanding work.”
Faruq Pradhan, MBBCh, Marissa Baker and Taylor Pitzl from the UNMC College of Medicine gave the keynote address, “Under (Portal) Pressure: E-Learning and Hepatology,” sharing how they developed an e-module to introduce third- and fourth-year medical students to career opportunities in hepatology. With UNMC serving as a top U.S. site for liver transplantation, the presenters emphasized the growing need for hepatology specialists.
Attendees, both in person and virtual, voted for their top e-modules. Two development teams received top honors:
- E-Learning Scorecard Best Practices winner: “Neuro-Ophthalmology Anatomy Part II: Ocular Movement & Coordination”
Developed by Shannon Lynch, MD, Tim Kaftan, MD, Marissa Baker, Luke Bergstrom and Mason Casper from the UNMC College of Medicine.
- Top vote recipient: “Let’s Talk About Sex…ual Health: How to Take a Comprehensive Sexual History”
Developed by Jennifer Davis, MD, Nicole Kusnik, MD, Jonathan Ryder, MD, and Duncan Works from the UNMC College of Medicine; Chelsea Huppert, PharmD, Shawnalynn Sunagawa, PharmD, Emily Jinings and Justin Martin, from the UNMC College of Pharmacy; Kevin McGuire, from the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions; Kelly Gonzales, PhD, from the UNMC College of Nursing; and Sarah Uhm, from the UNMC Graduate Studies and UNMC College of Medicine.
Jinings said she enjoyed working with faculty and student developers spanning four colleges.
“I learned a lot from working with everyone on this e-module,” she said. “Everyone has different ways to respond or receive feedback, answering clarifying questions and ways of contributing to the creation of the e-module.”
McKenzie Behrendt, assistant professor of occupational therapy at UNMC College of Allied Health Professions in Kearney, said the virtual format made it easy to participate remotely and support students.
“Attending the E-Learning Showcase remotely allowed me to fully participate from Kearney and virtually support our students — I genuinely beamed with pride watching them professionally present their high-quality, intensive work. The format was thoughtfully designed, with efficient previews and time for developers to convey their e-module’s purpose and highlight key elements.”
All e-modules are available in the UNMC E-Gallery for use in courses or self-guided learning. Applications for next funded awards program will open later this fall. For more information, visit the UNMC Office of Interactive E-Learning.