The University of Nebraska Medical Center recently hosted 21 students from eight Nebraska colleges for a behavioral health and substance abuse workshop designed to give students an appreciation for the challenges and difficulties experienced by families who live with these conditions.
The one-hour credit course dealt with behavioral illnesses and treatment, the current system of care for people with mental illnesses, the wide variety of professionals who work in the field, and the shortages of mental health professionals in rural areas.
The students, who worked in small groups, visited community agencies in Omaha and Lincoln, toured the Lincoln Regional Center and researched a mental health topic. On the final day of the workshop, students presented their findings during a student forum.
The workshop was developed by the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) and offered through the Rural Health Education Network Office at UNMC. The students came from Chadron State College, Creighton University, Hastings College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and Wayne State College.
The mission of BHECN is to support the recruitment, retention and competency of the Nebraska behavioral health workforce.
“There are inadequate numbers of behavioral health providers in all areas of the state,” said Susan Boust, M.D., interim medical director of BHECN. “We know that most training occurs within academic and professional silos, while patient care requires the effort of a team across a continuum of services.
“Our effort requires collaboration across professions while working in a publicly funded system that interfaces with other systems such as education, criminal justice, housing, department of defense, law enforcement and government agencies. We do not train together, speak the same language, or work in the same agencies. We do, however, have to work together to provide quality care. This is especially important in rural areas.”
Below is a list of students who participated in the workshop by hometown, parents and college: :
Aurora and Grand Island — Jenn Harney, daughter of Julie and Philip Shively of Aurora and Daryl Harney of Grand Island, Wayne State College;
Bellevue — Sarah Norris, daughter of Barbara and Joseph Norris, UNO;
Big Springs — Becca Rose, daughter of Peggy and Douglas Rose, Chadron State College;
David City — Emily Maguire, daughter of Steve and Julie Maguire, Wayne State College;
Daykin — Brianne Hofstetter, daughter of Lorrie and Mike Hofstetter, Wayne State College;
Denton — Morgan Mowery, daughter of Denice and Chuck Baum of Denton and Ronald and Shelly Mowery of Overland Park, Kan., UNL;
Grand Island — Jessica Kehm, daughter of Tracey and Tom Kehm, Nebraska Wesleyan University;
Hastings — Melanie and Aleisha Menning, twin daughters of Barbara and Gerald Menning, both Nebraska Wesleyan University;
Henderson — Katie Thiesen, daughter of Sherry and Rick Thiesen, Nebraska Wesleyan University;
Lincoln — Dylan Stoll, son of Vicki and Fred Stoll, Hastings College;
Ogallala — Travis Kirchner , son of Teresa and Todd Kirchner, UNK;
Omaha — Alessandro Godfrey, Matilde and Maurice Godfrey, UNL; Koua Moua, son of Vangmeng Moua and Pee Vang, UNO; Mehgan Nolan, daughter of Stacy and the late Wayne Nolan of Harrisburg, Pa., Creighton University;
Tryon – WhitneyTrumbull, daughter of Rosanne and Rick Trumbull, Chadron State College;
Weeping Water — Jake Wardyn, son of Brenda and Jeff Wardyn, Hastings College;
Geneva, Ill. — Matt Fennessy, son of Jeanne and Gary Fennessy, Creighton University;
Sheridan, Wyo. — Wyatt Gardner, son of LouAnn Gardner, Chadron State College;
Sioux City, Iowa — Joe Smetter, son of Suzie and Dave Smetter, Creighton University;
Treynor, Iowa — Nicole Schmidt, daughter of Christina and Roger Schmidt, Creighton University.
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. UNMC’s extramural research support now exceeds $100 million, 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. primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
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