Please join us in congratulating Dr. Tamara Strohm on being named a recipient of the prestigious Innovation in Teaching Award from the UNC Academy of Educators.
This award recognizes faculty members who have developed and implemented creative, effective teaching approaches that meaningfully enhance learning in medical and health sciences education. Dr. Strohm’s work exemplifies this mission through her leadership in transforming how neurology is taught at the UNC School of Medicine.
As part of a major redesign of the preclinical neurology curriculum, UNC has integrated innovative digital “Bricks” modules with active, hands-on clinical and neuroanatomy learning. These efforts have led to significantly improved NBME neurology exam performance and increased student engagement.
A cornerstone of this transformation is Dr. Strohm’s “Neurons to Networks” block, which is reshaping how students learn foundational neuroscience and clinical neurology—bridging theory with practical application in new and impactful ways.
In addition, Dr. Strohm, in collaboration with colleagues across the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, is leading a UNC School of Medicine Innovation Grant project titled: “Neurology Clinical Bricks for Continuity, Collaboration, and Scholarship.”
This initiative aims to develop openly licensed Clinical Neurology Bricks for the MS4 clerkship, enabling broader adoption across medical schools. The project aligns with the School of Medicine’s Accelerate Forward Together Education Pillar and reflects a commitment to advancing neurology education through cutting-edge digital learning tools and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Strohm’s work represents a meaningful step forward in preparing the next generation of clinicians and educators.
Congratulations to Dr. Strohm on this well-deserved recognition!