UNMC students, faculty and staff recently were recognized for their contributions to campus, student and community life during the fifth annual iTEACH Awards.
“Our iTEACH ceremony rewards those who selflessly give time to improve the lives of others within the UNMC and surrounding communities,” said Heidi Keeler, PhD, assistant vice chancellor with the UNMC Office of Community Engagement. “We hope recognition of this exemplary work will light a spark that inspires others to do the same.”
During the April 16 ceremony, UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, and Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. each acknowledged the vast community engagement work done by UNMC faculty, staff and students, and noted the importance of collaborative partnerships.
“This is an inspiring group of people who lead by example,” Mayor Ewing told honorees in the Wigton Heritage Center. “Thank you for your contributions.”
The awards are rooted in UNMC’s iTEACH values — innovation, teamwork, excellence, accountability, courage and healing, Dr. Keeler said, and are sponsored by the UNMC Office of Community Engagement, Student Life and Development Office, Office of Global Engagement, UNMC Student Senate and the UNMC SHARING Clinics.
The following UNMC Student Senate Awards were presented:
- Student Impact Award: Farzana Afrin Bithi, UNMC College of Public Health
- Distinguished Mentor Award: Travis McCumber, PhD, associate professor, genetics, cell biology and anatomy, UNMC College of Medicine
- Distinguished Teacher Award: Joseph Vetro, PhD, associate professor, pharmaceutical sciences, UNMC College of Pharmacy
The following Office of Global Engagement Award was presented:
D.J. and Janet Thayer Family Global Engagement Award
- Steven Yeh, MD, Stanley Truhlsen Jr. Professor and executive vice chair, ophthalmology and visual sciences, UNMC College of Medicine
The following Office of Community Engagement Awards were presented:
Community Impact Awards
- Gold Award: Harm Reduction Advocates
- Silver Award: Street Medicine Interest Group
- Bronze Award: Campus Against Cancer
Community Health Education Awards
- Gold Award: Harm Reduction Advocates
- Silver Award: Graduate Student Association
- Bronze Award: Student National Medical Association
Faculty Advisor Excellence in Community Engagement Award
- Amber Golden, DNP, UNMC College of Nursing
Staff Excellence in Community Engagement Award
- Jackie Hankins-Berry, UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute
Community Partner Award
- American Cancer Society Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Hope Lodge – Omaha
The following Student Life, Involvement and Development (SLIDO) Awards were presented:
Registered Student Organization Advisor of the Year Awards
- Armando De Alba, MD, PhD, associate professor, family medicine, UNMC College of Medicine
- Sheritta Strong, MD, associate professor, psychiatry, UNMC College of Medicine, , and assistant vice chancellor, UNMC Campus Engagement
- Sara Pirtle, program manager, UNMC Office of Global Engagement
Collaboration Awards
- Gold Winner: UNMC American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
- Silver Winner: Harm Reduction Advocates
- Bronze Winner: Recruit, Encourage, & Advance Careers in Healthcare (REACH)
The following SHARING Clinic Awards were presented:
Ricki Otton Faculty Award
- Sheritta Strong, MD, MD, associate professor, psychiatry, UNMC College of Medicine, and assistant vice chancellor, UNMC Campus Engagement
SHARING Student Service Award
- Wenxian Zhou, UNMC College of Medicine
Outstanding Involvement Platinum Award
- Aurora DePalma, MD, UNMC College of Medicine, and Wenxian Zhou, UNMC College of Medicine
Outstanding Involvement Gold Award
- UNMC College of Medicine students/graduates Jessica Preece, Will Srinivasan, Peter Maxwell, Rebeckah Rapoza, Anita Zhou, Grace Kelly, MD, and Jay Bryd, MD
Learn more about the 2026 awards and the efforts of the recipients.
One of my favorite days of the year! The work that our faculty, staff, and students are doing on behalf of others is beyond inspiring!