Jax State Professor Jennifer Burgett Earns National Outstanding Teacher Award
08/18/2026
Athletic training professor recognized for using innovative technology to create engaging, clinically relevant learning experiences
By Brett Buckner
Dr. Jennifer Savage Burgett’s “ability to transform complex scientific concepts into engaging, clinically relevant, and interactive learning experiences” has earned her national recognition.
Dr. Burgett, Coordinator of Clinical Education and Associater Professor in Jacksonville State University’s Master’s in Athletic Training program, has been named the Outstanding Teacher in the Graduate/Postgraduate category of the Anatomage Teacher Awards, sponsored by Anatomage Inc.
“I was honestly surprised and so incredibly honored, Dr. Burgett said. “There are so many outstanding educators who use Anatomage technology in innovative ways, so to be selected for this award was very humbling.”
The Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes educators who have made a significant impact on their students, schools and communities through exemplary classroom teaching and demonstrated excellence in anatomy, science and medical education. Award recipients are also recognized for innovative uses of Anatomage technology.
As an award recipient, Burgett will receive $1,000, complimentary registration to the Anatomage Conference, and a commemorative certificate and trophy in recognition of her achievements.
According to its website, Anatomage Inc. is a “leader in advanced 3D medical visualization technology, specializing in digitizing real human bodies into interactive, fully functional 3D cadavers known as Anatomage Bodies.”
For Burgett, incorporating that technology into the classroom supports something that was already central to her approach to teaching: finding new ways to help students understand and apply what they are learning.
“This recognition is a reflection of something I truly love, finding new and engaging ways to help my students learn,” she said. “I’m very grateful to Anatomage and the selection committee for recognizing the work we are doing in our Master’s in Athletic Training Program at Jacksonville State University.”
Dr. Burgett also expressed appreciation to Anatomage “for creating technology that gives educators opportunities to make learning more engaging and meaningful for students.”
The recognition also provided Burgett with a meaningful reminder of why she and her colleagues continue looking for new approaches in the classroom.
“As educators, we spend a lot of time thinking about how to best prepare our students for their future careers,” she said. “Receiving this award affirmed for me that continuing to think outside the box, embrace technology, and look for ways to make learning more interactive is worth it. It also motivates me to keep growing as an educator and continue finding new ways to challenge and inspire my students.”
According to Anatomage, this year's award recipients were selected for their “dedication to advancing anatomy and science education through innovation, engagement, and student success.” Nominees were evaluated on how they integrate Anatomage technology into their curriculum, the creative ways they enhance learning experiences, and the measurable impact their teaching has on students inside and outside the classroom.
“The Anatomage Table allows students to explore anatomy in a way that goes far beyond looking at a traditional textbook image or two-dimensional diagram,” Dr. Burgett explained. “Students can work through clinical cases, identify structures, trace muscles and nerves, and visualize how different anatomical structures relate to one another.”
Teachers can also use the technology to connect what students are learning in the classroom to the types of injuries and clinical conditions they will encounter as athletic trainers.
“The biggest benefit is that students are able to actively engage with the material rather than simply memorize it,” Dr. Burgett said. “They can visualize the human body from different perspectives and make connections between anatomy, injury, and clinical decision-making.”
For graduate students preparing to become healthcare professionals, being able to take that knowledge and apply it in a more realistic, interactive setting helps “make the learning more meaningful and prepares them to think critically in their future clinical practice,” she added.
Though she hasn’t made any official plans for the $1,000 that was included in the award, Dr. Burgett has some ideas after she and her family recently moved into a new home.
“So, there are always plenty of things that could be done around the house,” she said. “That said, I think a little time away with my family would be a wonderful way to celebrate. After a busy year, a mini-vacation where I can unplug, spend time with my family, and enjoy some quality time together sounds pretty perfect to me.”
The Anatomage recognition is Burgett’s second major professional honor this year. Earlier in the summer, she was named the 2026 College/University Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association (ALATA).
“I am incredibly grateful for this recognition and for the people who have supported me throughout my career,” she said. “I’m especially thankful to Jacksonville State University, the College of Health Professions and Wellness, our administration, my colleagues, and my students, who inspire me every day to continue growing as an educator.”