New officers have been elected to the Student Association for Rural Health (SARH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The officers are made up of medical, pharmacy, physical therapy and physician assistant students who are interested in learning more about rural health issues and promoting rural practice to others.
The officers attend monthly seminars, which include presentations from health care professionals and hospital administrators from rural communities, as well as a presentation from the state office of rural health.
The 2010-2011 SARH officers are listed below by hometown:
Petersburg — President, Rachel Faust, second-year medical student
Faust is a graduate of both Boone Central High School and Wayne State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program. Upon graduation from UNMC, Faust plans to return to her roots in a rural Nebraska community to practice medicine. Her parents, Alan and Patty Faust, reside in Petersburg.
Schuyler — Vice President, Rita Lindberg, second-year medical student
Lindberg graduated from Schuyler Central High School and Wayne State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program. Lindberg became involved with SARH because she plans to practice medicine in rural Nebraska after graduating. She is the daughter of June Cogdill of Schuyler and Terry Cogdill of Oseceola. She is married to Jason Lindberg. They have a son, Alexander.
Howells — Secretary, Danielle Ruskamp, second-year physical therapy student
Ruskamp graduated from Howells Public School and completed her prerequisites at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Because she is from a rural area, Ruskamp appreciates the importance of health care professionals, loves “small town life,” and looks forward to going back and serving the people of rural Nebraska. She is the daughter of Tom and Bonnie Ruskamp of Howells.
Lincoln — Treasurer, Lonna Hughes, third-year pharmacy student
A resident of Lincoln, Hughes graduated from Lincoln East High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Hughes was secretary for the SARH student group last year. She is involved with SARH because she believes that rural health care is a major concern for Nebraska as a whole. Hughes’ parents, Keith and Patricia Hughes, live in Lincoln
Bridgeport — Physician Assistant Representative, Joshua Dean, first-year physician assistant
Dean is an alumni of Bridgeport High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He wants to identify and learn more about the issues and health care needs in rural communities. He is the son of Monte and Tammy Dean of Broadwater.
Burwell — Pharmacy Representative, James Bird, second-year pharmacy student
Bird graduated from Burwell Junior/Senior High School and attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney for his prerequisite courses. He is interested in rural health care, especially rural pharmacy practice. Bird is the son of Dan and Maureen Bird of Burwell.
Herman — Maggie Kuhlmann, second-year medical student
Kuhlmann is a graduate of Tekamah-Herman High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. With the SARH program, she hopes to help advance rural health care, both in practice and in reputation. She believes that practicing in rural communities is a unique opportunity and she hopes to promote the nature of that to other UNMC students. She is the daughter of Lon and Victoria Kuhlmann of Herman.
Indianola — Jeanie Bayliss – Pharmacy Representative, third-year pharmacy student
Bayliss graduated from Southwest High School in Indianola and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is considering rural practice after graduation because she always liked the small-town atmosphere and wants to go “where everybody knows your name.” She is the daughter of Judy Dissmeyer of Scottsbluff and Marvin Bayliss of Indianola.
Minden — Secretary, Samanth Raffety, second-year pharmacy student
Raffety is an alumni of Minden High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Growing up in rural Nebraska has exposed her to the great need for health care professionals and contributed to her desire to serve rural Nebraska. She is the daughter of David and Rebecca Raffety of Minden.
Odell — Physical Therapy Representative, Kasey Theye, second-year physical therapy student
Theye graduated from Diller-Odell Public School and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for her prerequisite courses. Growing up in southwestern Nebraska gave her an appreciation of “small-town” life. She understands the need for health professionals and plans to return to a rural community to practice. She is the daughter of Daylon and Kay Theye of Odell.
Sargent/Omaha – Alisha Mauler, second-year medical student
Alisha Mauler graduated from Burke High in Omaha and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is married to Jared Mauler from Sargent. As a future health professional in rural Nebraska, Mauler wants to understand rural issues and learn the best way to help her patients. She also wants to encourage other students to consider rural practice. She is the daughter of Joseph and Christine O’Malley of Omaha.
Cutline: Front row, seated left to right: Rita Lindberg (Vice President), Rachel Faust (President), Danielle Ruskamp (Secretary), and Lonna Hughes (Treasurer)
Back row, left to right: Alisha Mauler, Jeanie Bayliss, Joshua Dean, Sam Raffety, Kasey Theye, Maggie Kuhlmann and James Bird
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.
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