Lindback for Libonati
The University of Pennsylvania is honoring Penn Nursing’s Joseph R. Libonati, PhD, FAHA, Associate Professor of Nursing in the Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences (BHS), and former Director of Penn Nursing’s Laboratory of Innovative and Translational Nursing Research, with the 2020 Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.
April 07, 2020Libonati teaches pulmonary and cardiovascular physiology and advanced physiology and pathophysiology. He focuses on helping students apply fundamental physiology concepts to clinical challenges. Libonati counts seeing students continue to graduate school or successful clinical careers among his proudest achievements. He believes the opportunity Penn Nursing students have to participate in laboratory science through his and other laboratories is rare in nursing. Basic biological science opens opportunities for nursing students beyond what many schools offer.
During his eleven-year tenure at Penn Nursing, Libonati has helped thousands of nursing graduate students excel in the clinical setting. Since 2009, he has taught four courses at the graduate level to nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist students: Nurs637 Research Methods, Nurs607 Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, Nurs681 and 682 Applied Physiology I and II. His course evaluations for these offerings have been stellar, an amazing accomplishment given the high enrollment in each. One group of students noted “Dr. Libonati’s teaching was challenging and pushed us to the edge of our potential, stretching and growing us as lifelong learners.” He has been able to combine his teaching methods and a collegial learning environment to inspire the best in his students.
Libonati often shares his highly innovative teaching style with his colleagues. Many have seen his approach to teaching through invited presentations at BHS department meetings. In these demonstrations, he showcased new techniques that he incorporates into his teaching, including digital imaging and clear board teaching – some of the newest teaching methodologies available.
During the School’s annual faculty award cycle, it is a rare occasion when Libonati is not nominated for a teaching award and over the years he has twice been awarded the BHS Department’s Anne Keane Teaching Award, the Dean’s Exemplary Teaching Award, and the Graduate Student Organization’s Teaching Award. Due to factors this spring, the 2020 ceremony will not be possible. A ceremony recognizing this year’s awardees is planned for the future.