Credit Sharon Welna for developing the robust information security program that exists today across the UNMC and Nebraska Medicine campus.
She started it from scratch 15 years ago.
“It was a brand new position,” said Welna, who retires this month as chief information security officer for UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. “It shows how the times have changed. Cybersecurity was not as big a risk as it is now and the health care industry wasn’t targeted the way it is now.”
Today, a team of six manage and mitigate information technology security risks — a far cry from the single staff position in 2002 that was focused largely on HIPAA compliance. Welna and her team also help ensure that UNMC and Nebraska Medicine are compliant with various federal regulations.
The UNMC/Nebraska Medicine community is invited to attend a retirement reception in Welna’s honor on Dec. 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Sorrell Center’s Linder Reading Room. Her last day at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine is Jan 2.
Upon Welna’s retirement, Lisa Bazis will serve as the medical center’s new chief information security officer. Bazis joined UNMC ITS more than 18 years ago, starting on the network team and then joining the Information Security Office in September 2015.
Welna joined UNMC/Nebraska Medicine on March 1, 2002, after 23 years at St. Joseph Hospital, where she had served as vice president information management and chief information officer. She began her tenure as information security officer and associate director for information systems compliance and project planning.
Today, automated tools help Welna and her team proactively manage the growing cybersecurity risks. “It’s analogous to people buying cameras for their homes because the tools are affordable and manageable. The same has happened at the enterprise level,” she said. “We have better tools and people to manage those tools so we can be proactive instead of reactive.”
Welna recalls one phishing email that got through the system, and once clicked on, generated more than 10,000 messages within a minute. “That’s why we continue to emphasize the front line of security is individual security. Similar to home, you can take every precaution, but if you don’t lock the front door . . .”
In retirement, Welna and her husband plan to travel and spend time with their four grandkids, age 6 and under. Meanwhile, she’ll keep an eye on cybersecurity. “The cybersecurity war will get more intense,” she said. “What that looks like in the future will be interesting to watch.”
Congratulations Sharon on your retirement !
Congratulations Sharon! Thank you for all you've done to help us at EngAge Wellness over the past seven years! Jeannie Hannan
Sharon is a consummate professional. She has been an integral member of the security and compliance team from the beginning, and without her, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine would not have been able to maneuver successfully through the challenges confronting us. It has been my pleasure and privilege to have worked with her. Onward. Rick Spellman
Congrats, Sharon! Enjoy every minute of your retirement!
Congratulations to you Sharon. You will be truly missed. You are a very special person.
I have enjoyed working with you on many projects… with one phishing attack that we all will remember. Your professionalism and knowledge are equal to none in the cyber security world. This campus is indebted to you for keeping us safe. Enjoy your travels and family.
Keith
Congratulations, Sharon. Wishing you the very best! E
Sharon, I wish you all the best in your well deserved retirement!
Sharon it has been great working with you. First at St. Joseph Hospital many years again and later at UNMC. Enjoy and be safe.
Congrats on your well deserved retirement! I have learned a ton from you in the 3 years I have been here. Thanks for all you have done for both UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. We are indebted to you for all your contributions to IT and the enterprise as a whole.
Congratulations Sharon! It's been great working with you during all these years. Enjoy your retirement!
Sharon, it was a pleasure working with you and I wish you the best!
From one retiree to another you are going to love it. Thanks for everything you did over the years to help not only Eppley but everybody at UNMC. You will be missed.