Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D., surgery, has been selected as the 2014 recipient of the Excellence in Medical Leadership Award by the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). The award recognizes a distinguished SAGES member for exemplary leadership potential and helps optimize the honoree’s future impact in the medical industry. Dr. Oleynikov will be honored on April 2 at the 8th Annual SAGES Foundation Awards Luncheon in Salt Lake City.
Paul J. (P.J.) Schenarts, M.D., trauma medical director at The Nebraska Medical Center and professor of surgery at UNMC, has been named chair of the Surgeons as Educators Course for the American College of Surgeons. The Surgeons as Educators Course is a six-day intensive course designed to provide surgeons with the knowledge and skills to enhance their abilities as teachers and administrators of surgical education programs. The course emphasizes the techniques necessary to develop an effective learning environment for medical students, surgical residents, colleagues, and others in the health profession. Founded in 1913, the American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational association of surgeons. With nearly 78,000 members, it is the largest organization of surgeons in the world.
Dr. Schenarts also has accepted the volunteer position of medical director for the Omaha Fire Department. Dr. Schenarts is an experienced hospital trauma surgeon, national expert in the field of medical education, flight physician and retired Army surgeon. He served as chief of surgery in Iraq and Afghanistan combat zones and received the Combat Medic Award.
David Carver, Ph.D., director of counseling & student development, was recently elected as co-chair of the American Psychological Association Advisory Committee on Colleague Assistance (ACCA). This committee assists state psychological associations in developing and implementing various prevention-oriented professional wellness programs in addition to specialized services for impaired psychologists. The ACCA team is made up of psychologists from across the country and it offers consultation services, conference presentations, and a website with numerous articles and other resource links. Dr. Carver also serves currently as the chair of the Nebraska psychology licensing board and as academic affairs director of the Nebraska Psychological Association. In addition to his student counseling duties, he is the UNMC student ombudsperson and student senate advisor.
Heartland Family Service honored the family of Jim Armitage, M.D. and his wife, Nancy, as one of its four outstanding families in Nebraska this year. The Armitages were recognized for the leadership they have provided to the Omaha community as well as for the contributions to research and education that Dr. Armitage has made to the local, national and international medical profession. A world expert in lymphoma, Dr. Armitage helped start UNMC’s bone marrow transplant program in 1983.