Dr. Rachel Novak Named Healthcare Hero

On October 29, Dr. Rachel Novak, Associate Dean for Enrollment and Student Success, was recognized as one of Utah Business’ 2024 Healthcare Heroes for her substantial contributions as a healthcare educator. “I was honored to be chosen as one of the recipients,” said Dr. Novak. “It was especially meaningful to have several of my mentors and my family in attendance.”

When asked about her decision to become an educator. Dr. Novak replied, “I have always known that I wanted to be a teacher.”

Initially, Dr. Novak planned to teach first grade, like her father. So, in her first semester of college, she declared her major and filled her schedule with elementary education prerequisites.

In addition to her major coursework, Dr. Novak took a human anatomy course that included hands-on experience with human cadavers. “About three weeks into the anatomy course, it was finally time for us to move on from studying bones to studying cadavers,” she recalled. “As the instructor opened the body bag, I saw the limp body inside and was overcome with emotion.”

This experience led to a particularly intense panic attack that made Dr. Novak question whether she should continue in the class. “After much contemplation, I withdrew from the class. I was devastated, thinking that I had destroyed my academic record.”

With some time and distance Dr. Novak felt ready to attempt the course again. But this time, when they reached the cadaver unit, something happened that changed her life.

“When that body bag was opened,” she shared, “I still felt the same sadness, shock, and fear that I felt the semester before, but this time I also felt an overwhelming connection between myself and the person that once inhabited that dead body.”

“Over the next weeks and months of the course,” she continued, “I had many intense moments of deep human connection with each cadaver, heart, and brain that I held in my hands. The experiences are still indescribable.”

These and several other transformative experiences caused Dr. Novak to reexamine her career plans, ultimately deciding to teach human anatomy. “Since I began teaching human anatomy in 1998, I have had the opportunity to share my love of the human body with over 15,000 students at several colleges and universities in Washington and Utah.”

In 2012, Dr. Novak joined the College of Dental Medicine as a member of the faculty. In this role, she tries to instill in her students a love and appreciation of their bodies. “My focus as a teacher,” she said, “is to help my students see the beauty of the body they inhabit and to encourage them to share their knowledge and respect of the human body with their loved ones and patients.”

“Before every lecture,” she added, “I take a few moments before walking into the classroom to prepare my mind and heart, with the hope that I will be able to create a psychologically safe place for my students, where they will feel loved and motivated to learn.”

We are grateful for Dr. Novak and the enriching, inspiring experiences she provides for our students. Please join us in congratulating her on this significant accomplishment.

Utah Business selects Healthcare Heroes who have made substantial contributions to improve Utah’s overall health. Previous awardees from Roseman University include:

• The Dental Clinic at Roseman University (Innovation, 2018)
• Dr. Andria Peterson (Administration, 2024)
• Dr. Dustin Christensen-Grant (Healthcare Educator, 2022)
• Dr. Frank W. Licari (Innovation, 2022)
• Dr. Larry D. Fannin (Healthcare Educator, 2015)
• Dr. Ryan Moffat (Community Outreach, 2023)
• Dr. Susan D. Watson (Lifetime Achievement, 2019)
• Dr. Tyler M. Rose (Healthcare Educator, 2016)
• Dr. William Harman (Healthcare Educator, 2017)