Basic scientist honored with teaching award

College of Medicine Dean John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., left, presents Terry Hexum, Ph.D., with the 2007 UNMC College of Medicine and Class of 1962 Basic Science Outstanding Teacher Award.

Each year, student evaluators praise Terry Hexum, Ph.D., for his teaching skills in medical pharmacology.

On Thursday, the College of Medicine formally recognized his classroom abilities by honoring him with the 2007 UNMC College of Medicine and Class of 1962 Basic Science Outstanding Teacher Award.

Dr. Hexum, professor of pharmacology and experimental neuroscience, received the award during the AOA/Faculty Honors Convocation.

“Our students are fortunate to have outstanding educators, such as Terry, on our campus,” said College of Medicine Dean John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D. “He has distinguished himself with his style and depth of coverage and always looks for ways to improve the curriculum and student experience.”

Dr. Hexum, who joined UNMC more than 35 years ago, teaches graduate, medical, pharmacy and allied health students. He has garnered a number of teaching awards over the years from the Golden Apple Award to the Faculty Senate’s award for distinguished teaching.

“Teaching is an obvious passion for Dr. Hexum,” one student nominator said. “His enthusiasm about the subject matter and his ability to correlate it to clinically relevant cases makes class enjoyable.”

“We are absolutely privileged to have him teach here,” said another nominator. “He is intelligent, resourceful, engaging, articulate and sensitive to students and their education needs. I still listen to his lectures and learn so much from them.”

“Our students are fortunate to have outstanding educators, such as Terry, on our campus.” John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D.

In addition to his teaching, Dr. Hexum’s research interests are directed toward understanding the action mechanism of neuropeptides in cardiovascular function with particular emphasis on receptor cross-talk. He has chaired important teaching related committees and played a key role in the development of the current integrated curriculum. He now serves as the course director for the medical pharmacology course.

The UNMC College of Medicine and Class of 1962 Basic Science Outstanding Teacher Award was created to inspire and foster continued excellence in classroom teaching and honor those who have contributed greatly to the education of aspiring medical students.