Schenken Award
The Jerald R. Schenken, MD, Outstanding Achievement in Pathology and Microbiology Award was established in 2000 as a tribute to his numerous contributions to pathology and laboratory medicine. Dr. Schenken was active in teaching medical students, residents and laboratory scientists in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology and the College of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In addition, it acknowledges Dr. Schenken’s leadership as a trustee of the American Board of Pathology.
This annual award recognizes up to three medical students who have excelled in the second-year pathology curriculum and are academically outstanding. Dr. Schenken’s wife, Charlotte, hosts a dinner in their honor that is attended by Dr. Schenken’s children, John, Elizabeth and Parker, and senior leadership of the department.
"This award is not just about the memory of Jerry, it's to help perpetuate the ideas and goals he had for the practice of medicine. Jerry always said there was "no free lunch" and while we are pleased to provide you financial recognition of your success as a medical student, we also believe you will be a future leader. Therefore, you will need to give back to the world for the investments that were made in you." - Mrs. Charlotte Schenken, wife of the late Jerald R. Schenken, MD
"Jerry wasn't just an outstanding pathologist and laboratory scientist, he was an exceptional teacher and educator. If he saw a research article or paper that he thought you would be interested in, he would send a copy along with a personal note. And he expected an answer back about what you thought of the article. He also had the ability to remember people's names many years after only a brief interaction. He combined his desire to support quality medicine and his special skill into a successful career as a politician, often working behind the scenes to promote the community but, when needed, he was also willing to stand for public office including as a representative for Congress. We hope you continue the willingness to serve in whatever capacity works best for you. You will always be remembered by us as a Schenken scholar." - By Dr. Samuel M. Cohen, pathologist and close friend of the late Dr. Jerald R. Schenken
Previous Schenken Awardees
- 2024: Anna Mardesen, Jacqueline Peck, and Pauline Xu
- 2019: Frankie Smith, Bianca Christiansen
- 2018: Joseph Rohr, Luke Cypher
- 2017: Caitlyn Fee
- 2016: Alexander Braun and Daniel Pelletier
More About Dr. Schenken
Dr. Schenken devoted more than 35 years to teaching medical students, physician trainees, practicing physicians and medical technologists, in addition to pursuing a successful career in pathology. He was a strong advocate for the health care profession and played an important role in assuring that skilled physicians and health care professionals are available in Nebraska.
He was active in teaching medical students and medical technology students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and was involved in many aspects of the College of Medicine's activities. He served on the faculty council for governance several times (1980-1983, 1985-1987, 1995-2001 ).
Dr. Schenken (Oct. 11, 1933 - Dec. 14, 2001) received his MD from Tulane University (1958), followed by a general internship at Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago and a residency in pathology at Charity Hospital in New Orleans (1959-1963). He obtained his board certification in anatomic and clinical pathology in 1963, and continued as a lifelong student of medicine and pathology. He later received subspecialty certification in clinical chemistry (1965) and in pediatric pathology (1990).
After serving as an instructor of pathology at Tulane Medical School from 1962-1965, as well as director of the laboratories for the Tulane Cancer Research Center and as forensic pathologist and coroner's physician for the Orleans parish, he moved to Omaha, joining his father in practice in pathology at Methodist and Children's Hospitals in 1965, where he continued until his death from cancer in 2001. He was Director of Pathology at Nebraska Methodist Hospital from 1974-1990 and at Children's Hospital from 1973-1990.
In addition to a successful and active career in pathology clinical service and in education, publishing extensively in scientific journals, he was also extraordinarily active in numerous pathology and medical organizations, pouring into these activities and causes his enormous intellect and incredible energies. Among these organizations was the College of American Pathologists, where he served on several committees and was recognized as their Pathologist of the Year in 1983, received the first CAP Frank C. Coleman Award for public service in 1989 and also their first Russell J. Eilers Distinguished Service Award in 1989.
Dr. Schenken was also active in numerous community organizations and served on the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce board of directors. He ran for Congress in 1988 and was the Nebraska State Republican Party Chairman from 1991 to 1995.