Students, faculty recognized at Public Health Association of Nebraska conference
UNMC College of Public Health students and faculty were recognized for their outstanding work in public health at the 2017 Public Health Association of Nebraska (PHAN) annual conference, held Sept. 21-22 in Lincoln. This year’s theme was Public Health 150: Opportunities for Innovation, Advocacy, and Action.
Awards were presented to:
- Brandon Grimm, Ph.D., assistant professor and director of the Office of Public Health Practice, who was awarded the PHAN Service Award.
- Mariah Morgan, master’s student in health promotion, who was awarded the PHAN Outstanding Student Award.
- Moses New Aaron, master’s student in biostatistics, and Jessica Semin, master’s student in health services research and administration, who received two of the five poster awards that were presented.
More than 20 students, staff and faculty from the college attended the conference, where they — along with alumni — moderated and presented breakout sessions and posters.
Faculty member receives grant to research ways to involve families in ICU
Breanna Hetland, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UNMC College of Nursing, received a grant from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. She was one of three teams nationwide to receive a grant. The grants are designed to ensure a vital source of clinically relevant research for creating evidence-based resources that influence high-acuity and critical care nursing. Dr. Hetland’s project aims to provide evidence-based strategies to involve family caregivers as active partners in bedside care in the intensive care unit. The researchers will develop and test an online educational resource to encourage family caregivers of mechanically ventilated patients to assess patients’ thirst and anxiety and guide them through appropriate, specific techniques to alleviate these common symptoms.
Hurricane relief efforts
Last month, the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico was ravaged by two major hurricanes in the span of three weeks. As a result, the entire island has been devastated with few having access to basic needs such as water, food and electricity. The UNMC and UNO campuses encourage anyone who can to consider making a donation to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts. You also can help by donating to United for Puerto Rico.
Physician assistant program’s annual nut sale begins Oct. 13
The College of Allied Health Professions physician assistant class of 2019 is selling nuts (pecans, cashews, almonds, peanuts, etc.) in 1 pound bags from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 13, 18, 20, 30, 31 and Nov. 3, 15 17 and 20 in both the Sorrell Center, second floor student commons; and University Hospital, third floor, (inside the cafeteria by the exit). Cash, credit cards or checks (payable to PASS 2019) are accepted. The sale helps the students raise money for national conferences, community involvement, student representatives and other expenses. Download the flyer.
Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Resident Research Forum
Eighteen orthopaedic surgery residents recently presented at the annual Resident Research Forum in the Lauritzen Outpatient Center Auditorium.
The forum helps residents plan and improve their research project throughout residency. During the Sept. 29 forum, second- through fifth-year residents presented their research and received feedback from faculty members and guest speaker, Paul Anderson, M.D., professor of orthopaedic surgery and adjunct professor in neurological surgery and biomedical engineering at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Anderson is an internationally recognized expert in the field of orthopaedic spinal surgery with special interests in spine trauma, tumors, cervical spine and geriatric spinal diseases. He presented on the topic: “Linkage of Osteoporosis and Periprosthetic Fractures: Research Methodology.”
