Vicky Hamm watches out for UNMC’s residents

If you were a medical resident at UNMC in the past 35 years or so, then you know Vicki Hamm.

She helped you fill out your licensing papers, line up your health insurance and log your travel to outstate clinics. She told you what to wear to orientation. She pointed you in the right direction when you needed academic support.

Vicky Hamm

And while you took your first solo steps in your profession, she worked behind the scenes to make sure your residency program remained accredited.

“We’re kind of like the HR office for house officers,” said Hamm, who just started her 37th year as the College of Medicine’s Graduate Medical Education Program (GME) Administrator.

A quick but lasting change

Hamm started at UNMC in 1975 as a residency coordinator in the department of internal medicine. But shortly after she started, Bob Wigton, M.D., was named assistant dean for graduate medical education. He asked
Hamm to join him in that office.

She did and never left.

“Residency is a pivotal point in the careers of physicians, and it’s a joy to be able to help our residents make it through this process,” she said.

Lots to juggle

At any given point, Hamm works with program coordinators to take care of about 500 residents in UNMC’s 40 accredited residency programs.

Spring is particularly crazy in the GME office as outgoing residents look to check out and incoming residents prepare to land.

The other 50 percent

And that’s just half of her job. She and the GME team — which includes Dr. Wigton, now the associate dean for GME; Jim Stageman, M.D., assistant dean for GME; and Hamm’s assistant, Rachel Nelsen — work constantly to maintain accreditation for the programs.

They monitor accreditation requirements and when changes are called for, they make sure they occur. The work adds up quickly with 40 programs to monitor.

“I answer emails constantly and my blackberry is never out of sight,” Hamm said.

Perfectly busy

It is hectic, but Hamm wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s seen thousands of residents come and go. She beams with pride when she sees them become outstanding clinicians and prominent figures in medicine. Many residents have become her good friends.

And the best part is when a former resident calls out of the blue to express gratitude for Hamm’s help.

“It’s a fun job,” Hamm said. “It really is.”