Fred Paustian, M.D., a semi-retired faculty member at the University
of Nebraska Medical Center, recently was awarded a statewide honor for
his medical service.
Dr. Paustian received the Nebraska Medical Associations Distinguished
Service to Medicine Award April 28 at the NMAs annual session.
Dr. Paustians career at UNMC has spanned more than 40 years. A 1953
graduate of UNMC, Dr. Paustian returned to Nebraska in 1958 and began a
professional career that has included the instruction of more than 3,000
medical, nursing and graduate students. Along the way, Dr. Paustian developed
the UNMC section of gastroenterology, and served as program director for
alternative delivery systems, associate dean for graduate medical education
and associate dean for continuing medical education.
His wise counsel has been sought by many over the years, including
me, said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., when Dr. Paustian retired
from full-time work in 1997. He committed his whole career to UNMC and
helped make it the nationally and internationally recognized center that
it is today.
Still, Dr. Paustian teaches three half-day gastroenterology clinics
weekly at UNMC.
Kelly Madcharo, associate executive director of the state medical association,
said the group gives the service to medicine award only when it is deemed
appropriate by the selection committee. The associations three past-presidents
comprise that committee.
The state medical association has more than 2,000 members. Paustian
has served as president of that association. He also has served as president
of the Metro Omaha Medical Society, which nominated him for the award.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment, solid organ transplantation and arthritis.
During the past year, nearly $31 million in research grants and contracts
were awarded to UNMC scientists, and UNMCs funding from the National Institutes
of Health increased by 28 percent, going from $16.2 million to $20.7 million.
UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals
practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.