Scott Ehresman, MD, of Holdrege, was honored by the UNMC Department of Family Medicine as the 2026 recipient of the Marion D. and Theodore H. Koefoot, Jr., MD, Outstanding Preceptor in Rural Family Medicine Award. The award was presented April 29 during a banquet at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center on the UNMC Omaha campus.
The Koefoot Award recognizes a rural Nebraska family physician who demonstrates exceptional dedication to teaching and mentoring medical students during their rural family medicine preceptorship, while also serving as an exemplary community physician. Dr. Ehresman was nominated by medical students who have completed rotations with him in Holdrege and credit his guidance as formative in their training.
One UNMC student who completed a family medicine rotation under Dr. Ehresman said, “Dr. Ehresman’s patience, approachability and genuine investment in my growth have really made an impact on me, and I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to learn from him.”
Established in 2005, the Koefoot Award honors the legacy of Theodore Koefoot, MD, a charter preceptor for UNMC’s rural family medicine preceptorship. The award was made possible through a gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation from Dr. Koefoot’s wife, Marion, and daughter, Gretchen Vondrak.
Dr. Ehresman was the inaugural recipient of the award when it was first presented in 2005 — and students have continued to nominate him every year since, a testament to his lasting influence as an educator and mentor.
Dr. Ehresman is a graduate of UNMC and completed his residency through the Lincoln Medical Education Foundation Family Medicine Residency Program.
Several medical students also were recognized by the department at the event.
- Bridget Baker received the James J. Leahy Award, given to an outstanding senior medical student who will enter the family medicine house officer program at UNMC.
- Shea Swanson received the Fay Smith Award given to a graduating UNMC medical student who has completed a family medicine clerkship and who will be entering a family medicine residency program.