Myrna Newland, M.D., to retire in June

Myrna Newland, M.D.

Myrna Newland, M.D., professor of anesthesiology, is one of those people who work passionately, consistently and diligently behind the scenes to make the world a better place for future generations, and she’s been doing it for 45 years.

Dr. Newland will retire this month, leaving behind duties that include director of UNMC’s Equity Office, chairwoman of the Ombuds Team, member of the chancellor’s commission and co-chair of the university-wide commission on gender, and the women’s liaison for the College of Medicine to the Association of American Medical Colleges. She has served 19 years in the Faculty Senate, 10 of those years on the executive committee and one year as president.

She is responsible for compliance and safety issues in anesthesiology and is a member of the UNMC Physicians Compliance Committee and the Reporting Committee for the Nebraska Coalition for Patient Safety.

Her research interests are in quality assurance and patient safety in anesthesia. Her teaching activities include facilitating problem-based learning cases for M1 students and coordinating the weekly mortality and morbidity conferences in the department of anesthesiology.

Dr. Newland first came to UNMC in 1962 to finish her medical degree, and, except for one year of residency in Oregon, she’s been here ever since. She’s risen through the ranks from instructor in 1968 to full professor in 2001, twice serving as interim chairwoman of the department of anesthesiology in the mid-1990s.

Linda Cunningham, division director of employee relations, organizational development and diversity, said she has worked with Dr. Newland for more than 13 years. “She has always been a strong faculty supporter and advocate. She taught me a lot about leadership, politics and how to persevere keeping my values and passion intact.”