Paul Paulman, M.D., named Educator Laureate

Paul Paulman, M.D., professor of family medicine at UNMC, has been a medical educator since 1982, when he joined UNMC.

Today, he will be recognized for his career-long dedication to teaching when he receives the Varner Educator Laureate Award through the Impact in Education program in the UNMC Office of Academic Affairs. The award, which he will receive along with James O’Dell, M.D., recognizes an individual with sustained achievement in education who has significantly improved the UNMC learning environment through the provision of outstanding educational experiences.

Dr. Paulman said he was humbled and honored by the award, especially to be included with Dr. O’Dell. He said education is a team sport, and he sees it becoming even more interprofessional as time goes on.

“I view (this award) as recognition of what our teams have done over the years. Because it wasn’t just me, I had a whole lot of help, especially the staff that do the heavy lifting and make the programs run. My family, of course, has been really supportive, and my wife (Audrey Paulman, M.D., professor of family medicine) has kept me on a straight and narrow track.”

Dr. Paulman said teaching allows him to give something back to the profession and to the patients.

“It’s enjoyable and rewarding,” he said. “Seeing students have that ‘A-Ha!’ moment is pretty cool.”

During his career, he has seen many educational innovations.

“One of my guiding principles is that experiential learning lasts longer and makes a bigger impact on the learner,” he said. “So the rise and increasing sophistication of simulation technology for medical education is pretty exciting. At UNMC, we are going to be one of the leaders in this, with the new Dr. Edwin Davis and Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center coming online.
“We can’t get real-life experiences for every student with the unusual illnesses and situations, but we can simulate a lot of them.

“If you can get a student to an experience, that’s great. If you can’t have an experience, have a simulation. And lately, we can take the simulation to the learner through our Simulation in Motion-Nebraska trucks. It’s an exciting time to be teaching – the potential is incredible. The students are more technically adept, they’re comfortable with technology.”

What hasn’t changed is the students’ commitment to helping others, he said, pointing to efforts such as UNMC’s student-led SHARING Clinics and frequent mission trips the students undertake.

“The institution has been committed to the entire state,” he said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with practicing doctors all throughout the state with family medicine student programs.”