Climate change will be Grand Rounds topic on April 27
Lewis Ziska, Ph.D., research plant physiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will present a Grand Rounds, titled “Climate Change, Rising CO2, Plant Biology and the Implications for Public Health,” at noon, April 27, in the Maurer College of Public Health, room 1001.
Earlier that week, he will participate in a public health panel at the 2016 Water for Food Global Conference — Catalytic Collaborations: Building Public-Private Partnerships for Water and Food Security — in Lincoln.
Dr. Ziska believes that the intersection between climate change and plant biology remains an underappreciated aspect of public health with direct consequences that range from pollinosis to contact dermatitis as well as indirect aspects that include nutrition, food-borne pathogens, toxicology and pharmacology. Dr. Ziska will share USDA research efforts on these topics in the hope that he can find academic interest and resources to continue this work.
High School Alliance student receives national science honor
UNMC High School Alliance student Terese Navarra, from Bellevue West High School, is one of 100 students who have won the inaugural Bristol-Myers Squibb Emperor Science Award.
The Emperor Science Award program is an initiative designed to encourage high school students to explore careers in science, specifically cancer research and care, through a unique mentoring opportunity. Recipients will receive: an opportunity to work alongside an esteemed scientist on a rewarding multi-week cancer research project; a Google Chrome Notebook to enhance their studies and to extend the reach of mentors to students living in rural and suburban communities; a $1,500 stipend for expenses; and the opportunity to continue the mentoring program, through high school, to further their academic pursuits.
Dr. Sebastian speaks at her alma mater
Juliann Sebastian, Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, last week delivered the inaugural Sexton-Weaver Leadership Lecture at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Dr. Sebastian’s alma mater. The late Karen Sexton, Ph.D., and Diana Weaver, Ph.D., for whom the lecture is named, were her colleagues, both serving as chief nursing officers at the University of Kentucky Hospital and at other large medical center hospitals.
Dr. Wehbi appointed to ACHE Council of Regents
Nizar Wehbi, M.D., assistant professor, health services research & administration, and acting deputy director of the Center for Health Policy, College of Public Health, has been appointed to the Council of Regents as interim regent for Nebraska and Western Iowa. The Council of Regents approves governance and membership regulations and promotes programs, services and activities of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). ACHE is an international professional society of 40,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. ACHE offers the prestigious FACHE® credential, signifying board certification in healthcare management.
Dr. Abdouch elected as alternate delegate to AAFP Congress of Delegates
 |
Ivan Abdouch, M.D. |
Ira Combs honored at conference
Ira Combs, director of North Omaha Area Health and community liaison nurse coordinator at UNMC, has returned from a conference in Baltimore where he delivered a speech on cancer screening and prevention in North Omaha. He was presented with the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Laurel for Dedication to Community Service for his work. Combs, who has been in nursing for 25 years and in community work in North Omaha for 45 years, has promoted successful cancer screening and education programs for colon and prostate cancer.
He will also be honored in May at the 2016 Institute of Healthcare Advancement (IHA) Literacy Conference to be awarded an IHA Health Literacy Award for his work on the “North Omaha Area Health: Health Literacy for Young People and Families” program, which was honored in the Innovative Program Category.
Dr. Billings honored by Kearney Hub at banquet
Judy Billings, Ph.D., emeritus faculty member and former assistant dean of the UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division, will be one of 100 Kearney area residents honored April 19 when the Kearney Hub conducts its 26th-annual Freedom Awards banquet. She was nominated in the category of Medical/Health. The award recognizes outstanding volunteers. Recipients are nominated by Kearney Hub newspaper readers.
Dr. Donnelly elected to CAAHEP board
Amber Donnelly, Ph.D., director and associate professor of cytotechnology Education in the College of Allied Health Professions was recently elected to serve on the board for the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CAAHEP currently accredits more than 2,100 entry level educational programs in 28 health science professions. The programs at UNMC which CAAHEP accredits are: cytotechnology, diagnostic medical sonography, and perfusion.
Retirements announced
The UNMC Department of Human Resources has released a list of retirements spanning the month of April. Leading the way with the most seniority is Edward Vandenberg, M.D., a faculty member in the UNMC College of Medicine who is retiring after 17 years. Here’s the complete list of retirees:
- Janell Stewart, College of Medicine, surgery – neurosurgery, retired April 2 (start date Oct. 5, 2005)
- Romeo Guerra, College of Public Health, office of the dean, retired April 9 (start date June 27, 2007)
- Marlene Schneider, Faculty-Employee Assistance Program, will retire April 15 (start date Dec. 2, 1985)
- Edward Vandenberg, M.D., College of Medicine, internal medicine – geriatrics, will retire April 29 (start date Nov. 1, 1998)