ACHIEVEMENTS
Shannon Pecka, PhD, received the Outstanding Faculty Award.
Kristy Plander, PhD, received the Educational Technology Award.
Ash Wimes received this year’s President’s Award.
Irakli Loladze, PhD, research led to international recognition.
Bryan College of Health Sciences salutes Pecka, Plander and Wimes
Award winner cites Loladze
Bryan College of Health Sciences recognized Shannon Pecka, PhD, Kristy Plander, PhD, and Ash Wimes during the annual faculty and staff awards presentations. Associate Professor and School of Nurse Anesthesia Assistant Program Director Shannon Pecka, PhD, CRNA, received the 2018 Outstanding Faculty Award. Her peers noted this Faculty Senate chair has served on several shared governance and college committees. Dr. Pecka’s nominators say, “She works closely with faculty and students to provide an education that emphasizes clinical and academic excellence. She is honest, trustworthy, accountable and
Environmental research by Irakli Loladze, PhD, was the basis of an article that won a 2018 James Beard Foundation Journalism Award this spring. Dr. Loladze is an associate professor of General Education at Bryan College of Health Sciences. His study of how atmospheric changes are damaging the quality of food supplies worldwide was a key part in investigative reporter Helena Bottemiller Evich’s “The Great Nutrient Collapse,” which was published in 2017 in Politico magazine. A new paper regarding the declining quality of rice was highlighted in the New York Times, Washington Post, the Guardian, NPR and other news outlets. n
ethical. She is passionate about teaching and collaborating, and her work in teaching, serving and scholarship is insightful. “You can’t talk about her without speaking about her service to the college — this is who she is and part of what defines her.” Dean of General Studies and Academic Advancement Kristy Plander, PhD, received the Educational Technology Award for Bryan College of Health Sciences. According to her nomination, “Dr. Plander integrates current technology into course design and classroom instruction. “She provides multiple ways for students to engage in course content, and her use of technology increases
student commitment, depth of learning, collaboration skills and creativity. “She is a role model for not only enhancing technologyrelated knowledge, skills and attitudes, but also is a mentor to others.” Recruitment and Diversity Coordinator Ash Wimes received this year’s President’s Award. His nominator points out, “Ash exemplifies the college’s essential mission by educating prospective students on the quality of our programs, our distinctive impact, our academic and clinical excellence, and he always highlights the benefits of our Bryan Medical Center affiliation.” n
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