Nephrology, the treatment and study of diseases of the kidney, is a relatively new subspecialty at UNMC and with that comes some growing pains.
But, a gift by 1973 College of Medicine graduate, Dennis Ross, M.D., may help ease those pains by providing resources that allow the division to pursue important opportunities for growth.
The gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation establishes the first endowed chair in the Division of Nephrology – the Dr. Dennis Ross Chair of Nephrology. The funding supports growth in the division’s research and clinical programs, physician recruitment and scholarly activities. It also continues a longstanding support to UNMC by Dr. Ross and his wife Ann, a 1971 graduate of the UNMC College of Nursing.
Dr. Ross and the chair’s first recipient, Troy Plumb, M.D., director of the UNMC Division of Nephrology, were honored at the College of Medicine’s second Circle of Distinction event in May, when the college recognized faculty members who currently hold endowed chairs and professorships and the donors who made these honors possible.
Dr. Plumb said he’s honored to be the first recipient of the endowed chair and is thankful for the family’s support and the increased recognition it brings to the division.
“Their support shows that we are doing the right things. When people put their own resources into the program, it gives us a lot of credibility, and I thank Dr. Ross and Ann for their generosity and for making more opportunities possible.”
Dr. Plumb, a 1997 graduate of the college, returned to UNMC in 2004 to help grow the nephrology program, which, at the time had only two nephrologists. He has since added four more.
Dr. Ross’ own interest in the field of nephrology fueled his desire to support UNMC’s program.
“As a nephrologist I would like to see the medical center excel in nephrology,” Dr. Ross said. “Since this is a relatively new subspecialty at UNMC, I am hopeful my gift will help the program.”
Dr. Ross practices in Wichita, Kan., where he started a physician-owned dialysis company in the city in the mid-1980s. In 1996 his group merged their dialysis facilities with four other dialysis companies nationwide to form Renal Care Group, a publicly traded company.
By the time the company was sold in 2006, it was caring for more than 32,000 patients.
His support of UNMC’s nephrology division extends beyond his philanthropic commitment. His extensive experience in forming dialysis units and clinical trials already has benefited the division, Dr. Plumb said.
“We will be doing a trial later this fall with a new home dialysis machine because Dr. Ross recommended us to the sponsor,” he said.
Establishment of endowed chairs and professorships represent significant investments in the college, said Bradley Britigan, M.D., dean of the UNMC College of Medicine. But the return on these investments is what really makes them special.
Endowed chairs and professorships allow colleges to:
- Attract the best and brightest faculty.
- Recognize faculty members for the excellent work they are doing.
- Support the salary of outstanding faculty.
- Hire additional people or provide resources to support excellent programs.
- Attract outstanding students who wish to learn from the best faculty.
Said Dr. Britigan: “Collectively, all the endowed chairs and professors ultimately impact our mission to educate the next generation of health care professionals, provide outstanding patient care, fuel lifesaving and life-enhancing research and serve our local, state, national and global communities.”
Faculty support remains a top priority for UNMC through Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities which ends Dec. 31. For more information contact Amy Volk at (402) 502-0300 or avolk@nufoundation.org.