News briefs

Dr. Muelleman elected president of the American Board of Emergency Medicine
Robert Muelleman, M.D., professor at UNMC and past-chair of the UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine, recently was elected president of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). Dr. Muelleman has been a member of the board of directors since July 2011, and was elected to the executive committee in 2015.
Dr. Muelleman has served on the UNMC faculty for 25 years, including 18 years as head of emergency medicine (1998-2016). In 2007, he created the UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine, and in 2004, he oversaw the establishment of a three-year emergency medicine residency program at UNMC.
The residency program has attracted resident physicians from all over the country. Dr. Muelleman has served the ABEM in a number of capacities, including as an examiner for the Oral Certification Examination since 2005, an item writer for the ConCert Examination, and as representative to the Residency Review Committee for Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Ashraf elected fellow in Infectious Diseases Society of America
Muhammad S. Ashraf, M.B.B.S., associate professor, internal medicine-infectious diseases, has been elected a fellow in the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the nation's leading infectious diseases professional society. Fellowship in IDSA honors those who have achieved professional excellence and provided significant service to the profession.
 "There has never been a more critical nor more exciting time for the field of infectious diseases. From an emerging outbreak of Ebola in the Congo to domestic outbreaks of measles to working tirelessly to solve the mystery of the patients before them, infectious diseases doctors are on the front lines of research and clinical care, keeping us safe from dangerous illness," said IDSA President Paul Auwaerter, MD, MBA, FIDSA. "The individuals receiving the FIDSA designation have demonstrated that they are true leaders – in their institutions, their communities, and in the field of infectious diseases."
Applicants for IDSA fellowship must be nominated by their peers and meet specified criteria that may include continuing identification with the field of infectious diseases, national or regional recognition, and publication of their scholarly work. Nominees are reviewed and elected by the IDSA board of directors.
Dr. Rizzo presents at KANEKO Visionary Series
Matthew Rizzo, M.D., chair of the UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences and director of the Mind & Brain Health Initiative, was the presenter for the Aug. 27 KANEKO Visionary Series. The unique lecture series is part of KANEKO’s Reality season, which earlier this year featured UNMC's iEXCEL program. The series examines the interdisciplinary approach to blending science, technology and art and how it transforms human performance and effectiveness in health care.
Dr. Rizzo’s presentation was titled, "Simulation: A Window on Mind and Brain Health the Mind & Brain Health Lab at UNMC studies how humans behave when interacting with technology in the lab and in the field with a focus on mobility and cognition. He discussed how simulation and research haves developed intervention techniques to improve health, mobility and quality of life in individuals of all ages.
Harvard physician selected for first James O. Armitage Clinical Investigator Award
Matthew S. Davids, MD, MMSc, is the recipient of the first James O. Armitage Clinical Investigator Award, presented at the 2018 Pan Pacific Lymphoma Conference in July in Maui. Dr. Davids is director of the Lymphoma BioBank and assistant professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston. James O. Armitage, MD, is the Joe Shapiro Professor of Medicine at UNMC and is also the editor-in-chief of The ASCO Post.
Introducing Dr. Davids was Matthew A. Lunning, DO, assistant professor, internal medicine-oncology/hematology at UNMC. Dr. Lunning noted that his first interaction with Dr. Armitage while a medical student "changed his career trajectory forever."
The award presented at the conference recognized Dr. Armitage’s "decades of willingness to pick up the phone, his guidance of young and mature souls toward a path of success, and his steadfast advocacy of professional integrity."
Accepting the award, Dr. Davids commented that his own professional story "is one of being in the right place at the right time and, importantly, working with the right people…in developing new drugs for lymphoma patients."
He remarked upon Dr. Armitage’s "remarkable career – four decades plus – in clinical care, investigation, and mentorship. It’s truly an honor to receive this first James O. Armitage Clinical Investigator Award." 
Big turnout for campus barbecue marking new academic year
More than 900 members of the UNMC community turned out Aug. 22 to attend the #WeAreUNMC all-campus barbecue, which was held on the Ruth and Bill Scott Student Plaza.
Food vendors were on hand, music played and games and activities were offered at the event, designed to welcome students and mark the beginning of a new school year.
See a photo album from the barbecue
 "On behalf of the #WeAreUNMC BBQ Committee, we want to thank our students, faculty and staff for making us a family," said Channing Bunch, director of recruitment and student engagement. "Thank you Metro Credit Union and all of the other sponsors for making this day happen. We are looking forward to 2019."
Children's 'Pediatric Legends' include two with UNMC ties
Pediatric Children's Hospital & Medical Center recently paid tribute to four physicians who have dedicated their lives to delivering the very best health care to children. The four "Pediatric Legends" recognized on Aug. 16 included two former UNMC faculty members: Kevin Corley, M.D., and Warren Sanger, Ph.D.
Dr. Corley, who taught pediatrics-endocrinology at UNMC, recently retired from both UNMC and Children's. At Children's, he served as the division chief of pediatric endocrinology. For most of his 30 years of service in Omaha, he was the only pediatric endocrinologist in the region. He is highly regarded as an excellent teacher, receiving Excellence in Teaching Awards many times throughout his career. Watch Dr. Corley's story.
Dr. Sanger, former head of the Munroe-Meyer Institute's genetics program and laboratory, was recognized for his impressive 40-year career. Dr. Sanger was a pediatric geneticist with a love for research; he was particularly prolific in his investigation of cancer, birth defects and prenatal care. His tireless dedication to cutting-edge research earned him an international reputation for excellence, yet he is remembered for his humility. Watch Dr. Sanger's story.
Children's also recognized Fred Kader, M.D., and Albert "Biff" Olson, M.D.
Dr. Suh to speak at Metro Omaha Medical Society event
Donny Suh, M.D., associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at UNMC and chief of pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Children's Hospital and Medical Center, will speak on "How to Identify Serious Ocular Warning Signs" from 7-8 a.m. Sept. 6 at the Metro Omaha Medical Society, 7906 Davenport St. There is no cost for MOMS members and a $15 fee for non-members. Register here.
Dr. Carver appointed treasurer of Nebraska Psychological Association
David Carver, Ph.D., has been appointed to a one-year term as treasurer of the Nebraska Psychological Association. Dr. Carver is the executive director of UNMC's Counseling & Student Development Center and is currently serving on the NPA Board of Directors as the immediate past president, as well as NPA's council representative to the American Psychological Association (APA) and the advocacy coordinator for Division 31 of the State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Associations (SPTA) for the APA. 
Dr. Shiffermiller's paper makes Hospitalist's top five list
Jason Shiffermiller, M.D., assistant professor of general internal medicine, recently was published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine on a new approach to perioperative management of ACE Inhibitor medications. The paper also made the Hospitalist Top Five list the week of July 23. The article is about angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). ACEIs are a commonly used medication for high blood pressure.
"We found that the risk of suffering very low blood pressure during surgery was higher if ACEIs were continued right up until the operation. In the process of planning for a surgery, patients taking ACEIs should discuss how and when to take them with their physicians," Dr. SChiffermiller said. "Physicians may instruct patients to stop taking ACEIs for a short time before surgery."
Three UNMC administrators make presentation at AAHC meeting
Three UNMC administrators — Bill Lawlor, assistant vice chancellor, finance and business services; Pat O'Neil, assistant dean, finance and administration, College of Allied Health Professionals; and Galen Kathol, business director, College of Medicine Dean's Office – made a presentation to senior administrators/fiscal officers in July at the Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC) meeting in Charleston, S.C. The presentation was titled, "Financial Stewardship and Compliance Buy-in: Engaging the Workforce in the Big Picture."
The overall theme of the AAHC meeting was "Managing Complex Institutions." The meeting focused on multidisciplinary connections, innovative initiatives, and unique approaches in managing large institutions. Topics addressed included innovative governance models, community health initiatives, internal data management, effective new academic health center financial/business models, and change management.
Lawlor was the lead presenter for UNMC. He submitted the idea for the presentation in January, and the AAHC accepted it.
Dr. Suh to receive AAO Senior Achievement Award
Donny Suh, M.D., an associate professor in the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences at UNMC and chief of pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Children's Hospital & Medical Center, will receive the Senior Achievement Award for 2018 at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting being held in October in Chicago.
The Achievement Award program recognizes individuals who participate in the scientific programs at the annual meeting and encompasses more than 25 categories of contribution to the academy.
Dr. Challagundla receives Leukemia Research Foundation grant
The Leukemia Research Foundation awarded Kishore Challagundla, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, a grant of $100,000 in blood cancer research funding for his research titled "Exosomic miRNAs and PD-L1 in AML Therapy Resistance." The LRF provides one-year grants of up to $100,000 to new investigators — scientists who are establishing their own laboratories and are no longer under the tutelage of a senior scientist mentor, to facilitate pursuit of groundbreaking research ideas that could lead to significant breakthroughs.
"Providing grants to new investigators is critically important because federal funding for blood cancer research has dropped by 25 percent in the last several years," said LRF Executive Director Kevin Radelet. "We're in the midst of losing an entire generation of cancer researchers because new investigators with fresh, groundbreaking ideas can't get the funding they need to develop the data required for greater funding from the National Institutes of Health. Grants from the Leukemia Research Foundation not only advance blood cancer science but also jump-start careers for these scientists."
The Leukemia Research Foundation, headquartered in Northfield, Ill., is committed to funding research and providing support to people affected by blood cancers.
Student in Dr. Byrareddy's lab earns major national scholarship
Matthew Muellner, a summer student in the lab of Sid Byrareddy, Ph.D., associate professor in the UNMC Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, has been awarded one of the four scholarships for 2018 by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation.
"I am very grateful for the award and the opportunity that comes with it," said Muellner, a junior at Creighton Preparatory High School in Omaha. "I couldn't have done it without the incredible support I have received from Dr. Byrareddy and his lab members. Through the individuals in the lab I've learned so much about virology/immunology and life as a scientist in general."
Muellner has worked the past two summers in Dr. Byrareddy's lab, which focuses on the development of simian-human immunodeficiency viruses that can be used as challenge viruses to test drug/vaccine efficacy in animal models to develop treatment strategies against HIV/AIDS.
The scholarship will cover four years of undergraduate study at any college or university.