Staying connected.
That’s the goal of the UNMC Retiree Association, a newly formed group that is being launched this year after nearly 18 months of planning and discussion.
First program set for April 27
The UNMC Retiree Association will present its first program on Thursday, April 27, from 2-3:30 p.m. in Private Dining Room C on the third floor of Nebraska Tower.
David Hendee, a longtime reporter at the Omaha World-Herald, will discuss Nebraska’s Sesquicentennial celebration. Hendee recently authored a book, “Nebraska: 150 Years Told through 93 Counties.”
Dr. Woelfl said two additional programs will be held in the fall.
The organization is open to all UNMC retirees, including faculty, administrative personnel, managerial-professional employees, office and service staff. Spouses, partners and guests also are welcome at retiree programs and activities.
The association is being chaired by Nancy Woelfl, Ph.D., who retired in 2013 after serving as director of the McGoogan Library of Medicine for 26 years. A 17-member Coordinating Committee has been formed.
Dr. Woelfl praised the Alumni Relations Office for playing a pivotal role in the development of the association. She cited Roxanna Jokela, retired director of alumni relations and now special assistant to the vice chancellor for external affairs, and Catherine Mello, interim director of alumni relations, for their efforts. She also recognized Rowen Zetterman, M.D., Howard Liu, M.D., and Linda Love, Ph.D., for being instrumental in making the association a reality.
The association really started to take shape last November, Dr. Woelfl said, when alumni relations hosted a meeting themed, “Our Retired Alumni, Staff, and Faculty – Our Treasures.” UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. and Jen Bartholomew, executive director of planning and construction, project management and operations for UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, spoke to the group.
“Everybody kept saying, ‘We want to stay in touch,'” Dr. Woelfl said. “Given the positive experiences everyone had as UNMC employees, there was almost universal interest in staying connected with UNMC in retirement.”
The mission of the UNMC Retiree Association is to offer a platform for continued and meaningful communication and engagement between UNMC and its retirees, Dr. Woelfl said.
It will allow retirees to:
- maintain their support of UNMC through their contributions of time, talent, and institutional knowledge; and
- provide opportunities for former colleagues and area alumni to maintain social and professional ties.
The UNMC Retiree Association will have no membership dues. Dr. Woelfl said a mailing is being sent to more than 170 known UNMC retirees in the area.
More information on the association is available on its website.
Congratulations on the organization of the Retiree Association, Dr. Woelfl. This is a great vehicle to stay engaged with UNMC. Most of us spend more time here than we do at home so it really does become a part of us. It is so important to continue to belong to your "family". Well done.
I am pleased this association has been formed. I hope I will hear more about future meetings.
Awesome idea brought to fruition! I wonder if there isn't eventually an opportunity to create mentoring relationships between retirees and active employees. There's a lot of institutional and professional expertise/knowledge to tap into potentially.
I think this is great. Since the budget cuts on the retirement banquets, this is a way we can still keep in touch.
Karen Dulany