American Geriatrics Society honors Dr. Potter
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has honored Jane Potter, M.D., with the 2018 Dennis W. Jahnigen Award celebrating her work to train more health professionals in care for the aging.
Dr. Potter, chief in the UNMC Division of Geriatrics, has not only led geriatric education at UNMC but also has expanded the scope of her work to lead national efforts aimed at increasing the prestige and prominence of the geriatrics workforce.
Dr. Potter is a co-principal investigator for the AGS's Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) Coordinating Center — a strategic resource supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation for 44 organizations in 29 states working through the only federal program focused on increasing the number of doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals trained to care for America's older adult population.
The late Dr. Jahnigen was a compassionate geriatrician and acclaimed educator who was committed to working with students and advancing geriatrics education in schools of health and medicine.
Dr. Chambers honored by his alma mater
Ward Chambers, M.D., executive director emeritus, international health, will receive the University of Missouri's James E. "Bud" Moulder Distinguished Alumni Award for the College of Engineering.
Award criteria includes:
–Exceptional efforts by an individual or an organization to assist the College of Engineering in fulfilling its mission of educating engineers, creating leaders and developing entrepreneurs in a research and interdisciplinary environment.
–Exceptional ability in the planning and direction of significant and important projects consistent with the mission of the College of Engineering.
–Exceptional contributions by an individual or an organization through its resources, i.e., time commitments, professional expertise, financial support, etc.
Dr. Chambers, who has been at UNMC since 1992, graduated from the University of Missouri in 1967 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He received his master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1970 and his M.D. from UNMC in 1973.
He has been chairman of the board of the University of Missouri Engineering Foundation since its inception five years ago and has been active on the school's Engineering Advisory Committee for 15 years before that.
Dr. Mercer named president-elect for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha
David F. Mercer, M.D., Ph.D., professor, surgery-transplant, for UNMC and director of the Intestinal Rehabilitation Program for Nebraska Medicine, has been named president-elect for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha. As announced last September, the Ronald McDonald House, which is located at 620 S. 38th Ave., is currently expanding its present facility by adding approximately 20,000 square feet of space, including 20 more guest rooms. This will bring the total number of guest rooms to 40, allowing twice as many families to have a home away from home while their children undergo medical treatment. The project is expected to be completed by early 2019.
Internal Medicine faculty achieve American College of Physicians Fellow status
The following internal medicine faculty members have achieved fellow status in the American College of Physicians (ACP):
–Renee Young, M.D., professor, division of gastroenterology and hepatology;
–Alan Erickson, M.D., associate professor, division of rheumatology;
–Matthew Lunning, D.O., assistant professor, division of oncology and hematology; and
–Krishna Gundabolu, M.B.B.S., M.D., assistant professor, division of oncology and hematology.
Dr. Goldner named vice chair of Neuroendocrine Tumors Panel
Whitney Goldner, M.D., associate professor, internal medicine-division of diabetes, endocrine and metabolism, has been named the new vice chair of the Neuroendocrine Tumors Panel for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).
Internal Medicine faculty recognized for service on National Board of Medical Examiners
Rachel Bonnema, M.D., associate professor, division of general medicine, Gerald (Jay) Moore, M.D., professor, division of rheumatology, and Tammy Wichman, M.D., associate professor, division of pulmonary medicine, were recognized for their service to the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Dr. Bonnema was selected to be on the United States Medical Licensing Examination Women's Health Committee. Dr. Moore served as the medical school liaison representative and executive chief proctor. Dr. Wichman was on the Step 3 Interdisciplinary Review Committee.
Dr. Markin recognized as 2018 Distinguished Mentor
Kara Markin, M.D., assistant professor, internal medicine-division of general medicine, was recognized by the Student Senate as 2018 Distinguished Mentor at a luncheon on March 6.
Dr. Firestone receives subspecialty certificate in surgery of the hand
Daniel Firestone, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, recently received a Subspecialty Certificate in Surgery of the Hand by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS). The elective certification demonstrates qualifications in hand surgery beyond those expected of other orthopaedic surgeons, including a diverse and high-volume hand surgery practice and passing a standardized exam. Dr. Firestone specializes in complex wrist fractures, local/wide awake hand surgery, and hand and wrist surgery implant design.
Dr. Shillcutt speaks at YP Summit
Sasha Shillcutt, M.D., associate professor, anesthesiology, spoke March 1 at the YP Summit in Omaha. Dr. Shillcutt spoke on the topic "Resilience: Falling Down and Launching Forward." The session's aim was to explore the importance of a growth mindset to overcome professional setbacks and learn the process by which failure can lead to dynamic success and workplace confidence.
Dr. Carver elected to national council
David Carver, Ph.D., executive director of UNMC Counseling & Student Development, was recently elected to the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives (APA-COR). The council is the governing body for the 117,500-member APA which has 54 active divisions representing every psychological speciality. Dr. Carver is the past president of the Nebraska Psychological Association and former chair of the Nebraska Psychology Licensing Board. He also serves on the board of directors for the International Ombudsman Association. He recently completed his 30th year at UNMC, where he has provided professional counseling and ombudsperson services for thousands of students, house officers and fellows.
Third-year medical student selected for ACP Council of Student Members
A third-year UNMC medical student, Alexandria Valdrighi, has been selected to serve a two-year term beginning in April, on the American College of Physicians Council of Student Members. She is one of 12 students from across its international student membership to serve.
The council advises the ACP Board of Regents and Board of Governors on promoting internal medicine as a career, increasing the value of ACP membership to medical students, strengthening chapter and medical school level activities and aligning council activities with the college’s strategic plan.
Mayo Clinic researcher gives 2018 Gurney Lecture
Bradley Erickson, M.D., Ph.D., professor of radiology and associate chair for research for the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., visited Omaha on March 22 for the 2018 Jud W. Gurney, M.D., Lectureship.
Dr. Erickson spoke on the topic of "How Will Artificial Intelligence Impact Our Society?"
The Jud W. Gurney, M.D., Lectureship was established to honor the memory of Dr. Gurney and his contributions to radiology education, research and patient care.
Earlier this month, Neil Hansen, M.D., was named the Jud W. Gurney, M.D., Professor of Radiology. The newly created endowed professorship was established by the University of Nebraska Foundation after $500,000 was raised to honor Dr. Gurney's life and recognize his accomplishments
Dr. Gurney, a world-renowned chest radiologist, served as president of the Society of Thoracic Radiology and the American College of Radiology Nebraska Chapter, receiving the Silver Medal Award from the Nebraska Radiological Society — the highest honor given by the NRS.
Blood donors at April 6 blood drive can participate in blood test
A pediatric resident researcher is looking for healthy blood donors to give a little extra blood for heavy metal testing at the upcoming blood drive on Friday, April 6, in Lower Storz Pavilion from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The study is targeting adult blood donors who live in Omaha's Superfund Site (ZIP codes: 68102, 68104, 68105, 68106, 68107, 68108, 68110, 68111, 68112, 68131, and 68132). This project hopes to help develop a screening tool to decrease heavy metals in donated blood products, protecting vulnerable populations like premature infants. This study is sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Pediatric Research Fund of the department of pediatrics at UNMC/Children's Hospital & Medical Center.