{"id":40685,"date":"2012-06-27T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-06-27T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2012\/06\/27\/getting-to-know-dr-huckabee\/"},"modified":"2022-09-02T20:29:04","modified_gmt":"2022-09-03T01:29:04","slug":"getting-to-know-dr-huckabee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2012\/06\/27\/getting-to-know-dr-huckabee\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting to know Dr. Huckabee"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michael Huckabee, Ph.D., became director of the physician assistant program in the UNMC School of Allied Health Professions on May 1 after the retirement of longtime director Jim Somers, Ph.D.<\/p>\n

Below we get to know more about Dr. Huckabee, who came to UNMC from Union College, where he directed the PA program for 15 years.<\/p>\n


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\nMichael Huckabee, Ph.D.<\/span>
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\n<\/TABLE>Describe your research in layman’s terms. <\/B><\/p>\n

First, I’m interested in teaching and measuring cultural competency skills in clinicians. My current research suggests this generation of PA students has a view of culture that focuses on commonalities such that they avoid making important distinctions. My second area of research considers effective leadership skills among clinicians. <\/p>\n

Why is this research important? <\/B><\/p>\n

It’s been a slow climb to gain ground on effectively teaching cultural competency that is both relevant and helpful to clinicians in training. It’s rewarding to guide students in understanding their own cultural views so that they are then better able to appreciate and work more effectively with those of different cultures. When it comes to providing health care across cultures, it truly means better care.<\/p>\n

I have a particular burden to help PAs appreciate the role we play in leading patients to better health care habits. Rather than assuming leadership “just happens,” the effectiveness of specific leadership skills makes a significant difference in how our patients respond. Carry these same leadership skills into professional relationships and broader leadership opportunities and we begin to change the course of health care delivery for the better. <\/p>\n

What are your goals and vision for the physician assistant program?<\/B><\/p>\n

UNMC’s PA Program has quietly and humbly become one of the premiere educational centers for PAs across the country. My goal is to maintain the integrity of this reputation while sharing the collected wealth of wisdom here to help shape the future of effective health care reform and high quality patient care. <\/p>\n

List three things people may not know about you: <\/B>
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