Barb Bayer, a nurse practitioner in psychiatry, spoke to the Fremont Area Alzheimer's Support Group on May 29. She talked about the potential causes of Alzheimer's disease and the progression of cognitive changes. She also discussed the behavioral symptoms of the Alzheimer's patient and how this all affects the relationship between the patient and their caregiver. With most caregivers being either a spouse or child of the patient, the dynamic of those relationships can become strained.
Carol Toris, Ph.D., professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at UNMC and one of the first basic science research faculty members recruited to the department, has been named vice president-elect for the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). ARVO is the largest organization in the world for clinicians and scientists who are involved in research in ophthalmology and visual sciences. Dr. Toris, who is professor and director of glaucoma research, combines clinical studies and animal models to study the effects of the glaucomatous disease process on fluid flow within the eye and how it can be treated with different glaucoma medications and drainage devices to lower the eye pressure. Dr. Toris has served as the chair and member of the ARVO Animals in Research Committee, on the Diversity Issues Committee and as a Physiology/Pharmacology member of the ARVO Annual Program Committee. She has been named an ARVO Gold Fellow in recognition of her service to the organization.
The School of Allied Health Professions recently distributed its 2013 awards:
- Corrine Hanson, Ph.D., assistant professor of medical nutrition education, was honored with the SAHP Excellence in Research Award.
- Patty Scholting, instructor in the physician assistant education program, earned this year's SAHP Excellence in Teaching Award.
- Linda Fell, who retired in February as director of the clinical laboratory sciences program after 20 years in clinical laboratory sciences, was honored with the SAHP Outstanding Service Award.
The Department of Cellular & Integrative Physiology enjoyed huge success at the American Physiological Society (APS) meeting at Experimental Biology 2013 held in Boston in late April. Multiple cellular and integrative physiology students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty made oral presentations and/or poster presentations at the meeting. The following students and postdoctoral fellows received awards recognizing their outstanding work:
- Debra Lima Irsik received an APS/NIDDK Minority Travel Fellowship Award;
- Alicia Schiller and Urmi Basu were recipients of the 2013 Caroline Tum Suden/Frances Hellebrandt Professional Opportunity Award;
- Rodrigo Del Rio, Ph.D., received the Postdoctoral and Early Career Research Recognition Award from the APS Neural Control and Autonomic Regulation section; and
- Adam Case, Ph.D., received the "Research Recognition Award" from the APS Cell and Molecular Physiology Section. This award is presented to one postdoctoral fellow who demonstrates excellence in research, writing and presentation skills.
The UNMC Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation and david day|associates (dda) earned a Pinnacle Award from the Omaha Chapter of the American Marketing Association's (AMA) for the department's 2010/2011 Biennial Report titled "Lives in Motion." The report received the AMA's highest honor in the Communications: Small Business category.
The Nebraska Chapter of the National Safety Council has ranked UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center, Bellevue Medical Center and the Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital among the safest companies in Nebraska in 2013. UNMC, which has ranked among the safest companies for five years, qualified in the Honor with Distinction category as did the Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital. Bellevue Medical Center qualified in the Honor – Bronze category, while The Nebraska Medical Center qualified in the Merit category.