Dr. Sorrell, wife Shirley, to receive humanitarian honors

Michael Sorrell, M.D., and his wife, Shirley, will be honored at the Conference for Inclusive Communities 2009 Humanitarian Dinner on Thursday.

Michael Sorrell, M.D., professor in the College of Medicine, and his wife, Shirley, will be honored at the Conference for Inclusive Communities (CFIC) 2009 Humanitarian Dinner on Thursday.

At the dinner — which will be at the Holiday Inn Central, 3321 S. 72nd St., in Omaha — the group will honor the Sorrells because of their contributions to humanity and their commitment to the betterment of community.

“We examined the way they live their lives and we believe the Sorrells hold the same values and ideals as this organization,” said Barbara Angelillo, CFIC executive director.

According to its mission statement, CFIC “envisions a society that is strengthened by diversity, inclusion, respect and justice for all people.”

“We believe the Sorrells hold the same values and ideals as this organization.” Barbara Angelillo

Dr. Sorrell is a legendary UNMC physician who keyed the development of the medical center’s world-renowned liver transplant program and played a major role in UNMC’s transformation into a prominent academic health science center.

Based on his contributions to UNMC and Nebraska as a whole, the state-of-the-art new home of the College of Medicine was named the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education.

CFIC — formally known as the National Conference for Christians and Jews — has honored Nebraska humanitarians since 1955. Previous honorees include Tom Osborne, Dick and Mary Holland, Chuck and Marge Durham, Dr. Gail and Mike Yanney and Jean and Bob Bell.

Contact 402-391-4460 or info@cficonline.org to learn more about the event.