College of Medicine

- Admissions Overview
- - MD Program
    UNMC's rigorous academics, diverse clinical experiences and supportive environment put you on the path to becoming a skilled, compassionate physician.
  - How to Apply
    UNMC prepares medical degree students to meet the needs of patients through clinical practice, biomedical science and research, problem-solving and compassion.
  - Contact Us
    Review contact information for the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs in the College of Medicine at UNMC.
  - Verification and State Licensure
    Review opportunities for state licensure following completion of the MD program in the College of Medicine at UNMC.
- - MD-MBA Program
    A combined MD-MBA degree equips you with the tools you need to become highly skilled in both management and medicine.
  - MD-MPH Program
    Pursue your passion for public health and medicine with a combined MD-MPH and help solve complex health problems.
  - MD-PhD Program
    Do you have a passion for caring for patients and for research? Consider the dual MD-PhD degree.
- Education Overview
- - Curriculum
    Our curriculum produces physicians whose foundation in basic, clinical, and health systems sciences prepare them to promote health and reduce patient suffering.
  - Graduation Requirements
    Review requirements for students pursuing an MD at the UNMC College of Medicine to graduate and receive their degree.
  - Objectives
    The objectives of UNMC's medical degree program are to prepare you for success in primary care or specialty fields.
  - Service Learning
    Active participation in community service provides critical opportunities to apply skills and knowledge gained in medical school and develop a sense of empathy.
- - Enhanced Medical Education
    Enhanced Medical Education Tracks offer medical students an opportunity to perform an in-depth study of an interdisciplinary field of medicine.
  - Enhanced Medical Education Tracks
    EMET applicants are selected for Tracks based on their interest in the topic and motivation to complete work above and beyond the primary MD curriculum.
  - MD Honor’s Thesis Program
    The MD honors thesis encourages students to engage in scientific research during medical education and become eligible to graduate with honors.
- Research Overview
- Internal Grants
  The College of Medicine has a variety of research-related grant and award opportunities available to UNMC faculty.
- Comparative Effectiveness Research
  The Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) program identifies knowledge gaps in the effectiveness of clinical care and improves CER in these areas.
- Great Plains IDeA-CTR
  The Great Plains IDeA-CTR is a collaborative effort between nine regional institutions that provides training, resources. and funding to regional researchers.
- Research and Development Committee
  The Research and Development Committee handles funding opportunities for faculty, including the Bridge Funding program, and student research opportunities.
- Student Opportunities
  The College of Medicine provides a variety of research opportunities for both current and prospective UNMC students.
- Residencies & Fellowships Overview
- Graduate Medical Education Programs
  UNMC's dozens of programs--including nearly 20 in internal medicine--allow residents and fellows a variety of specialties.
- House Officer Resources
  Find information for residents and fellows, including salaries, benefits and nearby housing.
- House Officer Wellness
  Wellness resources for residents and fellows include an assistance program and a private wellness lounge.
- Research
  We aim to facilitate house officers’ involvement in research in the areas of patient safety, quality improvement, healthcare disparities and education research.
- Salary and Benefits
  Paid vacation and professional leave, health insurance and meal allowances are just a few of the benefits residents receive in addition to their yearly salary.
- Contact Us
  Reach out to the Graduate Medical Education office for information about benefits, contracts, orientation or graduation.
Departments

— College of Medicine — Department of Internal Medicine — Education Programs — Internal Medicine Residencies — Internal Medicine Residency — Residency Program Leadership — Debra Wekesa, MD

Debra Wekesa, MD

Scholarship and Patient Safety Chief Resident

Dr. Debra Wekesa is a UNMC Internal Medicine chief resident.

Dr. Debra Wekesa is the Scholarship and Patient Safety Chief Resident of the UNMC Internal Medicine Residency Program.

Dr. Debra Wekesa is a UNMC Internal Medicine chief resident.

Dr. Wekesa was born and raised in Springfield, MO. She is a first generation American, born to Kenyan parents, so she might not know all the American pop culture before the 1990s. She is also an only child, but thankfully does know how to share. She moved up north to Kansas City, MO to complete the 6 year BA/MD program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. And she continued to move up north to come to Omaha for residency!

Dr. Debra Wekesa is a UNMC Internal Medicine chief resident.

When looking for a residency Dr. Wekesa knew she wanted to go somewhere that had a medical education track, provided a breadth of education, and had a focus on diversity and inclusion early on within their program. "UNMC just checked all the boxed of what I was looking for in a residency. With the Health Educator and Academic Leadership (HEAL) track and the programs commitment to diversity and inclusion, UNMC felt like a surprising home away from home even being the first class to do virtual interviews. When I first arrived in Omaha for the first time (that was after I matched), I was surprised with the diversity and variety of restaurants that existed! Once I stepped on campus, I was able to confirm that I made the right choice. Everyone is genuinely kind and want to see you succeed, even if happen to switch your career goals part of the way through residency and choose a fellowship different from your mentors."

Dr. Debra Wekesa is a UNMC Internal Medicine chief resident.

Following this year, Dr. Wekesa is planning to pursue fellowship in nephrology and is currently applying. Despite applying for fellowship, Dr. Wekesa plans to do "Med-Neph", practicing both internal medicine (inpatient and outpatient) and nephrology. Outside of work, she enjoys visiting the variety of restaurants in Omaha as a local foodie, spending time with her co-chiefs/co-residents now fellows, watching anime, attending bachelor/bachelorette nights with Dr. Yeutter and other reality show lovers, and just she started up taking fencing classes.