UNMC for the record

College of Public Health’s Mary Morris is wellness champion
Mary Morris, administrative associate in biostatistics, College of Public Health, was recognized for inspiring healthy living at the annual William M. Kizer Light of Wellness Award dinner last night.

Morris was one of 18 people in Omaha who were recognized for embracing wellness and serving as role models for others. The awards are sponsored by WELLCOM.

Her award, health inspiration, celebrates employees who have been steadfast supporters and active participants in their company’s wellness program. They inspire and serve as role models for others. Morris is a member of the UNMC Wellness Council.

Awards also were given for health transformation — for those who have made significant changes in their lifestyles — and leadership — for those who lead others to make positive changes in their health and wellness.

The UNMC Wellness Council, under the leadership of Jayme Nekuda, Ph.D., works to transform the health of UNMC by encouraging healthy choices that maximize quality of life.

The council includes representatives from various units and colleges at UNMC, who meet monthly to plan, implement and promote wellness on campus.

Recent events and activities, sponsored by the council, include campus participation in the WELLCOM eHealth Challenge last fall and the 5th Annual Wellness Fair in January. The council also created a goal to educate the campus community on the benefits of fruit, vegetable and fiber intake through a series of videos developed with assistance from Nebraska Medicine dietician interns.

The UNMC Wellness Council is currently organizing and promoting the Annual Heart Walk and NE 150 Challenge.

Dr. Hussain to serve on ACP committee on medical practice and quality
UNMC’s leadership in the conversation around health care transformation continues with the appointment of Tanvir Hussain, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine, to a three-year term on the American College of Physicians (ACP) national committee on medical practice and quality. The committee drives ACP’s recommendations to Congress on health care policy. ACP is the second largest physician organization in the U.S. Dr. Hussain said: “At UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, we are helping direct the national transformation toward patient-centered, clinician-driven changes by leading national organizations on medical practice and quality in the U.S.”

Dr. Pullen receives research award
UNMC College of Nursing Professor Carol Pullen, Ph.D., received the 2017 Senior Investigator Award from the Health Promoting Behaviors Across the Lifespan Research Interest Group at the Midwest Research Society’s recent meeting in Minneapolis. The award recognizes her scholarship achievements.