Dr. Black receives 2005 Alvin Earle Award

Joyce Black, Ph.D., center, receives the 2005 Alvin Earle Award for outstanding teaching.

Students say Joyce Black, Ph.D., is an outstanding nurse with a gift for public speaking.

They also say the she has a knack for teaching.

As a result, UNMC students honored Dr. Black last week with the 2005 Alvin M. Earle Outstanding Health Sciences Educator Award.

“I’m honored and very humbled,” said Dr. Black, associate professor in the UNMC College of Nursing. “Each of you (fellow nominees) is as deserving as I am. I’m overwhelmed.”

The Alvin Earle award — the only award initiated and given by UNMC students — is presented to an instructor who has demonstrated sincere interest in his or her discipline, involvement with students and excellence in the quality of instruction.

UNMC Student Senate President Dan Connealy made the announcement April 18 during a noon luncheon. Award recipients receive a $500 honorarium and have their name added to the Alvin M. Earle plaque in the Wittson Hall lobby.

“Dr. Black has shared her expertise in the field with hundreds of nursing students, making an impression they won’t soon forget,” said one nominee. “She has the gift of public speaking that captures her audience’s attention and helps students learn through her stories. She gives real life examples of how to care for patients in the classroom and, in turn how to incorporate that information into our clinical experiences. She is an extraordinary nurse.”

The 2005 Alvin Earle award nominees, along with Adah Earle, front left.

Said another nominee: “I still remember so much of what Dr. Black taught us two years ago. I can always remember to perform my skin assessment because of her lecture on pressure ulcers. My patients are better off because of her lectures.”

Dr. Black, a medical-surgical nurse and expert on pressure ulcers, joined the UNMC faculty in 1982.

Also nominated for the 2005 Alvin M. Earle award, along with excerpts from student nomination letters, were:

Surinder Batra, Ph.D., biochemistry and molecular biology — “It has been clear to me from my first encounters with Dr. Batra that he has a great love for the material he teaches. He instructed me in metabolism, nucleic acids, proteins and immunology. In each of these situations, I have enjoyed learning from him because he makes the material interesting and accessible.”

Barbara Murphy, Ph.D., genetics, cell biology & anatomy department — “Dr. Murphy exhibits all of the qualities of an effective and caring teacher. She serves students academically, professionally, personally and is a valuable asset to the anatomy department and research laboratory.her example as an effective and caring teacher has inspired me to continue in my field of study and to strive to be as good as she is at what she does.”

Alvin Earle award recipients 2004 – Eric Scholar, M.D. 2003 — Carol Lomneth, Ph.D. 2002 — not awarded 2001 — Robert Binhammer, Ph.D. 2000 — not awarded 1999 — Kurtis Cornish, Ph.D. 1998 — Richard MacDonald, Ph.D. 1997 — Al Stammers 1996 — Robert Norgren, Ph.D. 1995 — Gilbert Willett 1994 — Shail Saxena, M.D.

Devin Nickol, M.D., internal medicine-general medicine — “Dr. Nickol provides students with direct assistance, managing real patient scenarios at the student-run SHARING clinic. In so doing, his teaching reaches well beyond the confines of the lecture hall. In my own personal experience, I have found myself in a patient’s exam room recalling mnemonics Dr. Nickol trained us with in order to ascertain a patient’s depression or the nature of pain they are experiencing.”

Dean Collier, Pharm D., pharmacy practice — “As an instructor in the classroom, Dr. Collier expects a lot from his students, but he also tries to incorporate active learning techniques into his teaching responsibilities. Some see Dr. Collier as initially intimidating, but really, he only demands the student’s best. He has also incorporated a new technology into the pharmacotherapy course that allows students to answer questions during lecture electronically.”

Jeffrey Baldwin, Pharm. D., pharmacy practice — “Dr. Baldwin is the only professor I know who will grade our exams and have our grades posted on Blackboard by the end of the day.He makes lecture interesting and interactive by sharing personal stories and using case scenarios. Through the use of activities, thought-provoking questions, group assignments outside of class, and laboratory exercises, Dr. Baldwin is able to teach us the required material in such a way which captures our attention and enables us to remember the key concepts that will be useful in our future careers.”

Ulrike “Ricke” Otten, clinical laboratory science — “She has portrayed remarkable professionalism in her teaching methodology, such as visual aids, computer activities, student presentations, lecture and case studies, and lab activities which has helped us as students enjoy our career as well as understand how to apply it to our daily work activities.Besides being professional and hardworking, Ricke is very good at listening to students, and will try to understand their way of reasoning.”

Tammy Roehrs, physical therapy education –“Tammy’s top priority is helping her students to be the best clinicians they can be. This is modeled by her devotion to helping students learn key concepts and develop proper decision-making and problem-solving skills in clinical situations.In giving examples of her own personal clinical experiences as a physical therapist, she exemplifies such a great deal of expertise in her field as well as her extraordinary passion for treating her patients. This motivates students to find that same kind of passion both for learning and treating patients.”