Every year, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMU) acknowledges the accomplishments and efforts of faculty who excel as healthcare professionals, instructors, and mentors. The University recognizes these efforts through annual awards, including; the Rising Star Teaching Award and Adjunct Faculty Award.
2023 Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award
This award is presented to an adjunct faculty member who has been with the University for at least three years, and it recognizes and publicly acknowledges their outstanding teaching.
This year the award went to two deserving adjunct faculty members, Ellen Hudgins, OTD, OTR/L, and Kimberlee Shibinski, EdD.
Ellen Hudgins, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Ellen Hudgins joined RMU in 2014 and instructs courses for the post-profession Doctor of Occupational Therapy (pOTD) program in leadership, practice management & administration, healthcare advocacy, and health and wellness. She is the Concentration Track Director for the Leadership and Advanced Practice tracks.
In addition to teaching, Hudgins is president and owner of three Central Virginia clinics that provide occupational, physical, and speech therapy services. Dr. Hudgins has more than 30 years of experience as an occupational therapist and is an alumna of RMU’s pOTD degree in 2014.
One of her nominations stated, “Dr. Hudgins is student-centered, consistently responsive to students, and validates student ideas, thus creating space for varying perspectives while maintaining rigorous standards for learning that help students grow and remain open to new or different viewpoints.”
Hudgins has shown an admirable ability to balance student needs objectively with educational and professional standards.
Kimberlee Shibinski, EdD
Dr. Kimberlee Shibinski has been with RMU since 2013 and instructs courses for the Healthcare Professions Education (HPE) Certificate, Master of Science in Health Science (MSHS), and Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD) programs on learning theory and design, applications of education practice, and teaching and learning theory.
She has over 30 years of experience as a college-level educator, focusing on learning theories, classroom management, and effective coaching/teaching strategies.
A student nominator stated, “Dr. Shibinski’s love for students extends beyond the virtual classroom. I witnessed this when she attended my dissertation defense in person and honored my family and me with her presence at our dinner celebration. Dr. Shibinski made an intentional effort to connect with all of my children and my husband. My children still talk about that night and how much fun they had with ‘Dr. Kim.’ This connection and intentionality make Dr. Shibinski an excellent teacher and mentor. She truly goes above and beyond the role of adjunct teacher.”
2023 Rising Star Teaching Award
This award is presented to a faculty member who has been with the University full-time for less than five years at the rank of Assistant Professor and demonstrates outcomes related to excellence in teaching. This year the award was presented to Kelsey Campbell Hopkinson, PT, DPT.
Kelsey Campbell Hopkinson, PT, DPT
Dr. Kelsey Hopkinson has been with RMU since 2020 and is an assistant professor in the entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, where she instructs in courses relating to cardiovascular and pulmonary PT, ethics and physical therapy practice, and professionalism in patient management.
She graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Movement Science and is an alumna of RMU, where she earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2017.
Dr. Hopkinson has contributed to the growth and development of the Physical Therapy Department through her work on the Inter-Professional Education (IPE) committee and in the Parkinson’s Wellness Program. She is board certified in Geriatrics and completed the HPE Teaching Certificate to advance her knowledge about current and best practices in higher education. She consistently demonstrates her desire to continue growing and learning as an educator.
A faculty nominator stated, “Dr. Hopkins offers students the opportunity to spend the day with her as a clinician in a skilled nursing facility and an acute care hospital. This wonderful opportunity allows students to see the setting and receive mentorship on all aspects of being a PT, from chart review to patient management to documentation. This experience helps students feel more comfortable before they leave for their clinical rotations.”
These awards will be formally presented at the 2023 August Commencement Ceremony.
