Seventeen students from 14 different communities in Nebraska attended the first 8th Grade Health/Science Alumni Meet at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, July 28 to 30. The alumni meet was open to high school and college students who had attended either the 1993, 1994 or 1995 UNMC 8th Grade Health/Science Meets and still have an interest in health and science today.
The original meet was designed to inspire Nebraska’s eighth graders, especially those from rural communities, to pursue careers in health care. Now, as these students are making plans for college and choosing careers, the alumni meet reinforces the need for health care professionals in rural areas and shows what UNMC has to offer.
The expense-paid meet gives students the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities in education, research and patient care. Each student spent a day shadowing a health care professional either at UNMC or at an off-campus site. Students also spent time visiting Omaha attractions.
UNMCs Rural Health Education Network office continues to make plans for future alumni meets. Each year, the office plans to invite back approximately three groups of students from previous years.
Students are listed below by hometown, name, year and high school or college they attend:
Arapahoe Jennifer Collins, sophomore, Hastings College
Blue Hill Jodie Karmazin, senior, Blue Hill High School
Broken Bow Mindy Penny, sophomore, Chadron State College; Kendra Shirkey, senior, Broken Bow High School
Cairo Tricia Echtenkamp, freshman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Curtis Greg Renard, sophomore, UNL
Elkhorn Nick Hummel, freshman, University of Nebraska-Omaha
Emmet Malissa Schrunk, sophomore, Northeast Community College
Lincoln Sabrina Kotschwar, senior, Northeast High School
McCook Tracy Donze, freshman, University of Nebraska at Kearney
North Platte Sara Hraban, senior, North Platte High School; Mike Zalewski, sophomore, UNL
Omaha Lindsay Purcell, sophomore, UNL
Ponca Renee Kneifl, senior, Newcastle Public High School
Seward Julie Wihelm, senior, Seward High School
Valentine Nicole Olson, senior, Platte Valley Academy; Thomas Ward, sophomore, Chadron State College
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state. Through its commitment to research, education and patient care, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than $27 million in research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.