Dr. Cornish receives universitywide teaching award

Kurtis Cornish, Ph.D., professor in the UNMC Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, has received the University of Nebraska’s Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award (OTICA) for 2011.









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Kurtis Cornish, Ph.D.
The award — which was announced Thursday by NU President James B. Milliken — recognizes individual faculty members who have demonstrated meritorious and sustained records of excellence and creativity in teaching.

Called “the ultimate educator,” Dr. Cornish was lauded for his teaching practices.

For example, in teaching students how to place nasogastric tubes — an essential skill — Dr. Cornish allows them to place a tube in his own nose, despite the discomfort of the process.

He also is an innovator who created the “J-term” at UNMC, an intense, three-day June workshop where medical students learn key diagnostic and treatment skills they need to transition from medical school to the clinical years.

4 comments

  1. Sue Pope says:

    **Kudos** to Dr. Cornish. This is very well deserved. I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with Dr. Cornish on many things pertaining to the education of medical students and know, firsthand, his motivation and dedication to all students! Congratulations!!

  2. Cindy Clark says:

    I had the privlege of working with Dr. Cornish when he hired me as a new graduate to work in his lab 26 years ago. He is a terrific mentor, and his valuable teaching is of benefit to me yet today. Congratulations!

  3. Lorraine Cornish says:

    I have watched my husband Kurtis put in a lot of hours for decades as he has worked on lessons, tests, and extra preparation in order to be a better teacher. However, it has been especially gratifying to see the power of his genuine concern for the students as well as his efforts to know each one of them. It's pleasing to see that others appreciate him too, but I still hold the title of his biggest fan.

  4. Viswanathan Rajagopalan says:

    Congratulations Dr. Cornish!
    In addition to his support to research, I have been so fortunate to teach under the supervision of the extraordinary teacher and mentor. His interest, dedication and support to students and future generation of teachers are invaluable. Thank you Dr. Cornish.

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