The School of Allied Health Professions’ inaugural all-school reunion, “Allies Assemble,” will take place this Friday and Saturday on the UNMC campus.
This week, UNMC Today will run short profiles on some of the alums who are returning to UNMC for this inaugural event, having been honored with departmental awards.
Here are the third and fourth of eight honorees who will be profiled this week in UNMC Today.
Judith Thompson Weeks
Clinical Laboratory Science alumni chapter
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Judith Thompson Weeks |
The first home pregnancy test? A UNMC Allied Health alumnus helped make it a reality.
Judith Thompson Weeks, clinical laboratory science (then medical technology), class of 1970, has always done work which takes lab research and turns it into tangible outcomes that benefit real people. Her extensive business and strategic planning helped bring about the first FDA-approved system for genetic profiling of breast cancer tumors and helped bring personalized breast cancer therapy to the marketplace.
Today, she’s a senior editor with Trimark Publications and a consultant for the Centers for Disease Control and American Society for Clinical Pathology. She continues to turn lab work into tangible benefits for real people. She’s had an impact on the global marketplace. And upon its 75th anniversary, Clinical Laboratory Science has named her as one of two Distinguished Alumnus Award winners.
Roger Wells
Physician Assistant alumni chapter
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Roger Wells |
“More PAs than I can count,” said Michael Huckabee, Ph.D., director of physician assistant education, “would say that they became a PA because of their connections with Roger.”
He’s been instrumental in the formative stages of the Nebraska Healthcare Workforce Center, which will help predict future shortages before they become crises.
Said Nebraska Rural Health Association Executive Director John Roberts: “He’s been an unwavering protector of the health of rural Nebraskans.”
The way he carries himself carries others. And thanks to his influence, there are more like him on the way.
Thursday: Carol Farha McGlade and Gilbert Willett, Ph.D.
Friday: Ben Greenfield and Connie Ryan