New trauma medical director named

Changes have occurred at Nebraska Medicine-Nebraska Medical Center in acute care surgery, as part of a restructuring process in leadership.

The most recent appointment is the naming of Lisa Schlitzkus, M.D., as the director of trauma surgery.

Keely Buesing, M.D.	Brett Waibel, M.D.

Dr. Schlitzkus, an assistant professor of surgery at UNMC, joins fellow directors, Brett Waibel, M.D., director of surgical critical care, and Keely Buesing, M.D., director of emergency general surgery. Dr. Buesing is an assistant professor of surgery and Dr. Waibel is an associate professor of surgery at UNMC.

“It is an honor to be named to this position, and I am proud of what our team and hospital have accomplished being designated as an American College of Surgeons Verified Level 1 Trauma Center,” Dr. Schlitzkus said. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation and leading our program to national recognition in research and quality care.

“Trauma care is truly a multidisciplinary team effort, so collaboration with our partners in emergency medicine, nursing, pharmacy, our new department of physical medicine and rehabilitation, therapy services, EMS, and referring hospitals provides patients with the highest level of care following a traumatic event,” she said.

Dr. Schlitzkus has been a part of Nebraska Medicine and UNMC since 2014, and was previously the associate trauma medical director.

“While being relatively new here, she is not new to the field of trauma surgery and has vast residency, research and fellowship experience in trauma surgery,” said P.J. Schenarts, M.D., section chief, acute care surgery and previous trauma medical director. Dr. Schenarts is a professor of surgery at UNMC.

“We are excited to have Dr. Schlitzkus in this leadership role,” said Julie Lazure, vice president of acute care at Nebraska Medicine. “She will continue to push the trauma program forward by encouraging research, injury prevention and evidence-based clinical care.”

Dr. Waibel has 15 years of experience as a trauma and ICU surgeon.

“He is well studied in this field and has strong leadership and clinical decision making skills,” Dr. Schenarts said.

Dr. Buesing did her medical training here and has a decade of experience performing operations here.

“This wealth of experience she has is a true benefit as many surrounding hospitals transfer their most challenging patients to Nebraska Medicine,” Dr. Schenarts said.

“By empowering each of these directors in their specific areas it will allow for more specific focus on each important element rather than a single person.”