Rahman Strum, a recent graduate in the College of Public Health’s Masters of Public Health Program and executive director of the Omaha Area Health Education Center (AHEC), died Tuesday after a motorcycle accident. He was 30.
Mike Sitorius, M.D., director of the Nebraska AHEC Program Office and chairman of the UNMC Department of Family Medicine, said that Strum was dedicated to helping others.
“Rahman was an enthusiastic collaborator who was committed to getting things done. He didn’t dwell on the negative. He was devoted to improving the health of others and was always positive. His leadership, dedication and enthusiasm for helping others will be missed. He touched many people through his efforts to make health care accessible to all,” Dr. Sitorius said.
Strum also was a Ph.D. student in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s health care informatics program and active in the North Omaha Community Care Council. He also was on the board of directors of the Public Health Association of Nebraska, and was active in many other community and volunteer groups.
Ira Combs, community nurse coordinator in the UNMC College of Public Health’s Center for Reducing Health Disparities, said he would tease Rahman. “I’d say, ‘look at you, half my age and twice as smart,’ and he would very humbly smile and say, ‘but I’m working on the wisdom part.’
“A young leader, educator and motivator, Rahman will be remembered with tears and big smiles,” Combs said. AHEC staff members regarded Strum as a “passionate, dedicated and determined man with a contagious laugh.”
Aside from advocating for health at the local level, Strum also worked to improve health globally. In 2010, he was part of a group of University of Nebraska faculty and students who went to Madagascar to develop a clean water supply.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday at Bellevue Memorial Chapel, 2202 Hancock St. in Bellevue. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Saint Cecilia Cathedral, 701 N. 40th St. in Omaha.
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