New officers have been elected for 2005-06 by the Student Association for Rural Health (SARH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. SARH promotes interest in health careers in rural areas of Nebraska by hosting monthly seminars on rural health issues. All UNMC students are eligible to join the SARH group.
The 2005-2006 officers and their hometowns are:
Swan Valley, Idaho — President, Morgan Merrill, second-year medical student
Merrill graduated from Idaho Falls High School (Idaho Falls, Idaho) and Idaho State University in Pocatello. He joined SARH because he plans to be a rural health care provider and SARH is a resource for students who are interested in rural medicine. He is the son of Lynn and Linda Merrill of Swan Valley.
Lincoln, Neb. — Vice President, Erin May, second-year medical student
May graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School and Nebraska Wesleyan University. She joined SARH because she is interested in practicing rural family medicine and using her Spanish language skills to serve the rural Hispanic and Latino populations. She is the daughter of Jenny and Joe Dukich of Lincoln.
Wilber, Neb. — Secretary, Jamie Drake, second-year medical student
Drake graduated from Wilber-Clatonia High School and Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. She is interested in practicing medicine in rural Nebraska and ensuring that people in rural communities have access to quality medical care. Drake is the daughter of Margie and Rob Lehr of rural Pleasant Dale, Neb.
Lincoln, Neb. — Treasurer, Andrew Berlowitz, second-year medical student
Berlowitz graduated from Lincoln High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is interested in promoting rural community health issues. He is the son of Bill Berlowitz of Lincoln and Susan Berlowitz of New York City.
Holdrege, Neb. – Physical Therapy Representative, Amber Herrington
Herrington graduated from Holdrege High School and Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan. She joined SARH because she thinks people need to receive good health care at home without having to travel and sees an opportunity to promote the unique qualities and benefits of small town living to those who are unfamiliar with it. She is the daughter of Betty and Bruce Bricker of Holdrege.
Columbus, Neb. – Physician Assistant Representative, Kayla Kapels
Kapels graduated from Columbus Lakeview High School and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She joined SARH because she grew up on a farm and her extended family members still live in rural Nebraska. Health care, particularly in rural Nebraska, is very important to her.
She is the daughter of Colleen and Keith Kapels of Creston, Neb.