UNMC Physician Receives Certification as Medical Director in Long Term Care

A University of Nebraska Medical Center faculty member, Catherine M.

Eberle, M.D., has earned certification as a medical director in long term

care (CMD) from the American Medical Directors Certification Program.

Dr. Eberle is one of 92 physicians who completed the national requirements

and received the CMD designation this year. She is assistant professor

of internal medicine and medical director of the UNMC Geriatric Rehabilitation

Unit and Nebraska Health System Hospice. She will be recognized at an annual

symposium of the American Medical Directors Association, to be held March

4-7 in Orlando.

Dr. Eberle joined the UNMC faculty in 1989 after training in hospitals

in Chicago and Hartford, Conn. She earned her undergraduate degree from

Mundelein College in Chicago and her medical degree from St. Louis University

School of Medicine. Among her honors, Dr. Eberle was listed among the best

doctors in Omaha by Omaha Magazine in 1996 and 1998.

To become certified, individuals must fulfill several requirements including

fellowship programs, board certification in a medical specialty, comprehensive

courses in medical direction, continuing medical education programs and

administrative experience.

Since the CMD programs inception in 1991, more than 1,200 physicians

nationwide have received certification. The program recognizes the dual

clinical and administrative roles of the medical director and requires

competence in both areas. The  program was created to enhance the

skills of physicians throughout the long term care continuum and to reinforce

the leadership role of physicians in providing quality care. Long term

care involves care in nursing facilities, hospices and subacute facilities.

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 countrys leading centers for cancer research

and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than $34 million in

research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually.

In addition, UNMCs educational programs are responsible for training more

health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.