Dr. Cannella recognized for teaching excellence

Amy Cannella, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine-rheumatology, received the Excellence in Basic Science Teaching Award honoring the Pioneering Women in Medicine during a May 15 event.

The Excellence in Basic Science Teaching Award was created in 2012 by Carol Swarts, M.D., a member of the College of Medicine Class of 1959. Dr. Swarts seeks to recognize the importance of dedicated teaching faculty who enrich the lives of students and shape outstanding health care providers. The award is given to a basic science teaching faculty in the College of Medicine and may be used as a cash award or to support the recipient’s teaching technology, teaching-related research, or faculty development.

“Basic science teachers are a crucial link in our medical education,” Dr. Swarts said. “They teach us the foundations of medicine. It was true when I was at UNMC in the 50s and it is true today. We are better physicians because of the outstanding basic science educators at UNMC, and I am pleased to recognize their excellence through this award.”

The award also recognizes the contributions and lifelong friendships of Margaret Hancock Peterson, M.D., COM 1959; Marilyn Myers, M.D., COM 1959; Carol Swarts, M.D., COM 1959; and Gretchen Glode Berggren, M.D., COM 1958.

Gerald Moore, M.D., professor and senior associate dean-academic affairs, said Dr. Cannella was truly an outstanding teacher.

“She has worked hard to improve the education of students,” Dr. Moore said. “Her dedication to the student is obvious in student written comments. In addition to her clinical activities she has been heavily involved in development of the musculoskeletal block in the new curriculum to be implemented this fall. She has combined basic and clinical science education in unique and positive ways.”

Dr. Cannella called herself “humbled and honored” to receive the award.

“As the first clinician/M.D. to receive this teaching award for the basic sciences, it is my hope to encourage other clinician educators to recognize and embrace the basic science foundation that is critical to the practice of clinical medicine.

“I am also inspired and truly thankful for the trail blazed by these four pioneering women in medicine,” Dr. Cannella said. “I never had to work harder than any of my peers to be accepted in my profession, and all women in medicine owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before us.”