Fellows from the Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) program came to the University of Nebraska Medical Center Feb. 19 and 20 to learn more about UNMC’s programs, outreach and educational efforts.
The Nebraska LEAD Program is a statewide agricultural leadership development program designed to increase knowledge and understanding of economics and social changes affecting agriculture and rural areas.
Each year, 30 people from across the state are selected to participate. They are farmers and ranchers or in some way involved in agribusiness. Eventually, many of these individuals go on to become key leaders in agriculture, business, academia and state government.
One requirement of the program is for participants to visit major colleges and universities around the state. While at UNMC, the LEAD participants toured the mobile nursing unit, the Lied Transplant Center and the Munroe-Meyer Institute where they learned about autism spectrum and pediatric feeding disorders.
The LEAD program, which is based at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is now in its 27th year. Below is a list of participants and their hometowns.
Alliance: Jamie Graham
Alma: Tony Anderson
Arthur: Gigi Gardner
Aurora: Ron Rose and Ernie Newquist
Bertrand: Linda Schwarz
Central City: Beau Bearnes, Jess Brandes, Brian Brown
Crete: Sheryl Kastanek
Dixon: Martey Stewart
Dodge: Joan Ruskamp
Falls City: Sarah Heidzig-Kraeger
Ft. Calhoun: Jeff Shaner
Gering: Bryan Barrett
Gothenburg: Shannon Peterson and Greg Feather
Gretna: Steve Tippery
Lincoln: Kevin Griess and Taia Huls
Ohiowa: Megan Williams
Omaha: Ward Reesman and Stacey Korte
Papillion: Lindsey Hackel
Sargent: Terry Horky
Shelton: Paul Gangwish
Shickley: Leslie Simonsen
St. Edward: Darren Nelson
Wahoo: Al Vybiral
As the state’s only academic health science center, UNMC is on the leading edge of health care. Breakthroughs are possible because hard-working researchers, educators and clinicians are resolved to work together to fuel discovery. In 2009, UNMC’s extramural research support topped $100 million for the first time, resulting in the creation of 3,600 jobs in Nebraska. UNMC’s academic excellence is shown through its award-winning programs, and its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading health care centers. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 550 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
-30-