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Mike Leibowitz, Ph.D., deputy director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute, presents a plaque to Bruce Buehler, M.D., who is stepping down as MMI director after 25 years. Dr. Leibowitz will assume interim director duties at MMI next month. |
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Dr. Buehler, second from right, with members of the MMI board, from left, Linda Gardels, Steve McWhorter, Irv Yaffe, George Gilmore and Nancy Nielsen. |
That’s how Bruce Buehler, M.D., summed up his 25-year career as director of Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) as he accepted a plaque and plaudits at an Oct. 8 event held in his honor.
MMI hosted the event to recognize Dr. Buehler, 64, who is stepping down from his dual role as MMI director and chairman of the UNMC Department of Pediatrics.
UNMC leadership and colleagues, family, friends and board members gave him a standing ovation following the presentation.
Dr. Buehler will continue to serve on the full-time faculty.
Mike Leibowitz, Ph.D., MMI deputy director, presented a plaque recognizing Dr. Buehler for his leadership and dedication. During Dr. Buehler’s tenure, the institute became a leader in the areas of genetics, rehabilitation, developmental disabilities and, most recently, autism and pediatric feeding disorders.
Dr. Leibowitz recently was selected to serve as interim director of MMI while a search for a permanent director is conducted. His term as interim director begins Nov. 15.
“Under Bruce’s leadership, MMI grew from a staff of 70 in 1983 to 250 today and its budget increased from $3 million to more than $20 million in that same time,” Dr. Leibowitz said.
Dr. Buehler, who first arrived at UNMC in 1981 as associate professor of pediatrics and pathology and director of the Hattie B. Munroe Center for Human Genetics, was only the second full-time director at MMI.