UNMC for the record

Richard Hranac, M.D.

Sheila Sternberg Ellis, M.D.

Cynthia Dougherty, Ph.D.

Elizabeth Hermsen, Pharm.D.

UNMC Alumni Associations will present awards to four individuals for contributions to their respective professions during the UNMC Alumni Reunion in Omaha today and Saturday. The awards will be presented Saturday at a banquet at the Embassy Suites downtown.

The honorees and their awards are:

• College of Medicine Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award: Richard Hranac, M.D., private practice physician in Kearney and Cozad native.
• College of Medicine Alumni Association Early Career Achievement Award: Sheila Sternberg Ellis, M.D., vice chair of clinical affairs at the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology in Omaha.
• College of Nursing Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award: Cynthia Dougherty, Ph.D., vice chair for research at the University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle.
• College of Pharmacy Alumni Association Early Career Achievement Award: Elizabeth Hermsen, Pharm.D., a clinical outcomes research director at Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in Omaha.

Northern Division nursing student Zoe Rickman, pictured at right, was among the first semester nursing students who participated in the Planned Approach to Community Health health fair in Norfolk in September. The purpose of PATCH is to provide free or low-cost health screenings to community members. Students at the Northern Division provided free blood glucose screenings, diabetes foot checks and blood pressure checks.

The Nebraska Medical Center’s Brain and Spine Cancer Center invites all patients with brain tumors — or those caring for a loved one with a brain tumor — to “Grey Matters: Together with Courage,” a day-long conference for brain tumor patients and their caregivers. Conference organizers are Michele Aizenberg, M.D., Philip Bierman, M.D., and Nicole Shonka, M.D. The conference is Saturday, Oct. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sorrell Center for Health Science Education. To make a reservation, call 800-922-0000 by Monday, Oct. 14. Valet parking will be available.

James Gigantelli, M.D.

James Gigantelli, M.D., professor of ophthalmology and assistant dean of government relations for UNMC, has been elected a new member of the Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). An ACS Fellow since 1999, Dr. Gigantelli served on the ACS Board of Governors from 2005 to 2011 and on the Governors’ Committee on Socioeconomic Issues from 2008 to 2011. Founded in 1913, the ACS is a scientific and educational association of surgeons committed to improving the quality of care for patients undergoing surgery by setting high standards for surgical education and practice. The ACS currently has approximately 78,000 members, making it the largest organization of surgeons in the world.

The “Rake in Wellness” Auction Fundraiser, supporting UNMC’s EngAge Wellness Program, will be held on Oct. 24. Dick Holland will be the honorary chairman of the event, held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the EngAge Wellness Center, in the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging, 730 S. 38th Ave. Admission is $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and the event will include appetizers, desserts, live and silent auctions and a short program. RSVPs will be accepted until Oct. 21 at 402-552-7210 or by emailing Sara Dietrich.