1990s
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| BS – Bachelor of Science | MITS – Medical Imaging & Therapeutic Science |
| CLS – Clinical Laboratory Science | MLS – Medical Laboratory Science |
| CP – Clinical Perfusion | MN – Medical Nutrition |
| Cyto – Cytotechnology | MT – Medical Technology |
| D – Dentistry | N – Nursing |
| DH – Dental Hygiene | P – Pharmacy |
| GC – Genetic Counseling | PA – Physician Assistant |
| GS – Graduate Studies | PH – Public Health |
| HPTT – Health Professions Teaching and Technology | PT – Physical Therapy |
| MS – Master of Science | RST – Radiation Science Technology |
| MHA – Master of Health Administration | RT – Radiologic Technology |
| M – Medicine |
Juli Habegger PA’90
Pawnee City, Neb., received the 2024 Physician Assistant of the Year Award from the Nebraska Academy of PAs.
Cheryl Klausen N’90, ‘03
Rockville, Neb., joined the Cardiology Clinic at Phelps Memorial Health Center in July 2024 and brings 21 years of experience as a cardiology nurse practitioner.
Rob Messbarger M’90, Family Medicine ’93
Kearney, Neb., was named the inaugural associate dean for the UNMC College of Medicine’s regional medical school campus in Kearney in the fall of 2024. He previously served as the college’s associate program director for the Kearney-based family medicine residency program.
Cindy Miller N’90
Lincoln, Neb., is now retired after 33 years of nursing.
Steven Bischof, Family and General Medicine ‘92
Jesup, Ga., retired in Savannah, Georgia, from the Saint Joseph Candler medical group in January 2020, after 11 years in Savannah and 14 years in Rome, Georgia.
Lisa Khalil M’92
Spring Hill, Fla., recently joined the board of managers for TGH North, a division of Tampa General Hospital. She specializes in internal medicine and has provided primary care in Hernando County since 1995.
Joseph Liewer M’92
Sioux City, Iowa, received the Briar Cliff University Medal during their May 2024 graduation ceremony. He has served as an emergency physician in Siouxland since 1995 and was the 2022 recipient of the Dr. George G. Spellman Annual Service Award by the MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center Foundation. He has served as the medical staff physician at MercyOne Siouxland and on the board of trustees of Briar Cliff University.
Daniel Maixner M'92
Ann Arbor, Mich., began his two-year term in May 2024, as the president of the International Society for ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) and Neurostimulation (ISEN). He is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Keri Philpot M’94, Obstetrics & Gynecology ‘98
Kearney, Neb., joined the Platte Valley Specialty Clinic in the fall of 2024.
Gretna, Neb., graduated in May 2024 from UNMC’s Graduate Studies Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area Program with her PhD. Her dissertation was entitled “Online & Blended Learning Environments: A Mixed Methods Study Evaluating the Feasibility, Acceptability, & Influence of an Online Professional Development Course for Health Professions Educators”.
North Platte, Neb., was appointed to the Nebraska Medical Association Political Action Committee Board in May 2024. Her experience includes serving as chair of the medical executive committee, emergency co-medical director, chief of medical staff, vice chair of the clinical integration network, and emergency medicine resident coordinator at Great Plains Health. She has been an active member of various committees, including peer review, bylaws, and credentials. She has educated hundreds of providers as an advanced trauma life support instructor throughout the region and received the UNMC Excellence in Educational Service Award in 2023. Additionally, she was a recipient of the Woman of Achievement Award for Medical Service in 2022.
Erin Haley-Hitz DH’95
Lincoln, Neb., was installed as the 98th American Dental Hygienists’ Association president in June 2024. She is the co-founder of Pearly White Prevention, LLC, providing coaching, consulting, and professional speaking, all while providing preventative oral health care to patients at Morning Glory Dental, LLC.
Debra Clausing Sudan, Surgery ‘96
Durham, N.C., was the 2024 commencement speaker for Muskingum University. She is a transplant surgeon and division chief of abdominal transplant in the department of surgery, and professor of surgery and professor of pediatrics at Duke University. In 2020, she was the first woman to be honored with Duke’s Master Surgeon Award. In 2018, she completed North Carolina’s first-ever abdominal wall transplant. She previously served as professor of surgery and director of the living donor transplant program at UNMC. While in Nebraska, she developed pioneering techniques for successful living donor liver transplant and for intestinal transplantation. Additionally, in 1996, she was the first female surgeon in the world to perform an intestine transplant.
Amy Cannella M’97, Internal Medicine ‘00, MS’13 PHOTO
Omaha, Neb., a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, received the UNMC Innovative Practices in Education Award in January 2024.
Sydney Buckland N’93, GS’19
Omaha, Neb., began working as the research project coordinator for the UNMC Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska at the beginning of April 2024 and continues to practice as a family nurse practitioner four hours per week at the North Omaha Area Health Clinic. She is excited to be back working for UNMC, using her PhD and doing research work.
Jennifer Axt N’98, ‘04
Seward, Neb., has been a nurse practitioner for 20 years, practicing for the last eight years in nephrology at Lincoln Nephrology and Hypertension.
Patrick Farrell M’98, Otolaryngology ‘04
Omaha, Neb., started seeing patients at the Clarinda Regional Health Center Specialty Clinic in July 2024.
David Goldner M’98
Denver, Colo., and his wife, Whitney Goldner M’98, started at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in the Divisions of Endocrinology and Nephrology on July 1, 2024.
Omaha, Neb., was promoted to executive director of oncology at Nebraska Medicine in May of 2024. She has been with Nebraska Medicine for over 25 years, serving in various roles. Previously, she was director of the Heart and Vascular Program for 8 years. She currently serves as president of the Omaha Board of Directors of the American Heart Association and is a member of the Omaha Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society.
Reena Patel M’98
Wichita, Neb., is the operator of Wichita Vision Institute, which she founded in 2004. She is the first eye surgeon in Wichita to offer RxSight Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) to cataract patients and refractive lens exchange (RLE) patients. This state-of-the-art technology is the only intraocular lens implant that enables ophthalmologists to customize a patient’s vision after cataract surgery.
Betsy Becker PT’99, GS’18
Valley, Neb., received UNMC’s inaugural Distinguished Educator designation from the Interprofessional Academy of Educators. It is the academy’s highest honor, awarded to a faculty member who consistently demonstrates excellence in teaching and peer mentoring to promote the development of the next generation of effective and innovative teachers. This is an active designation, with requirements of engaging in at least three teaching or mentoring activities per year and completing a renewal process every five years.
Honolulu, Hawaii, marked two major milestones in the armed forces in May 2024, when he was promoted to brigadier general. He became the first active-duty physician assistant to become a general as well as the first Hispanic American non-physician general officer and commanding general in the Army Medical Department. In his role as the commanding general of Medical Readiness Command, Pacific (MRC, P), he oversees nearly 4,000 soldiers and 400 civilians and provides regionally ready, globally responsive medical forces, health service support, and force health protection across the region. MRC, P provides command and control to medical department activities, medical centers, dental health commands, public health commands, and soldier recovery units in Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Republic of Korea with seven Direct Reporting Units. He also serves as the inaugural director of Defense Health Network Indo-Pacific (DHN-IP), which was stood up October 1, 2023, when the Defense Health Agency realigned the former 23 medical markets into nine networks to improve healthcare delivery, combat support and enterprise support. DHN-IP oversees a joint, integrated health network with Army, Navy and Air Force personnel that provides quality care in medical facilities in Washington, California, Hawaii, Japan and the Republic of Korea. As director, he leads more than 15,000 service members, civilians, and contractors that support the United States Indo-Pacific, Northern, Special Operations, Transportation, Cyber, and Space Commands.