Lookin’ at U – Nicole Giron

Each Thursday, we randomly feature a medical center employee. This week, we learn more about:

• Name: Nicole Giron
• Hometown: Boulder and Omaha
• No. of years at UNMC: 13 years

Tell us a bit about what you do here at UNMC.
I am an adaptive therapist in the Munroe-Meyer Institute's recreation therapy department. I have the privilege of working with all sorts of amazing people and their families and caregivers. Right now, we are in the middle of our summer camp, where we serve about 90 kids a day, with an additional 120 staff and volunteer "buddies" who work together to ensure each camper who attends our program has an amazing and fun experience. Our variety of year-round programs serve people from 2½ to their 60s or 70s. My specific role, aside from the camps, is teaching our Cooking & Gardening Clubs and coordinating our volunteers. We have many high school and college student volunteers who come to assist in our programs. It is a real pleasure being able to work with all of them. "Teamwork" is one of UNMC's brand values. Tell us of a time you witnessed an example of teamwork at UNMC.
I work with the most amazing and dynamic team of people, and each core staff is dedicated to providing exceptional services for our participants that enhance and enrich their quality of life. We have over 15 different programs that we offer in our department so collaboration and teamwork is very important. We program at MMI as well as off campus in the community and it requires extensive teamwork to get everything scheduled and ensure the administrative pieces are done so that we can provide high quality services. What is your favorite summer activity?
Gardening. I just finished my M.P.H. a couple years ago and am very passionate about nutrition. Our Garden Club program at MMI is one of my favorite programs — I love showing people how easy it is to garden and getting them excited about cooking and preparing the produce. List three things people may not know about you.

• I have a very real fear of becoming the "cat lady" — cats that need a home always seem to come across our doorstep.
• I am one of only two registered horticulture therapists in Nebraska.
• I spent my freshmen year of high school in Hilo, Hawaii.