MMI’s Heidi Reelfs is Gold U winner

Heidi Reelfs is always proud to represent the Munroe-Meyer Institute.

Now, she’s representing it as a Gold U winner.

Reelfs, of the MMI Department of Physical Therapy, has been awarded the March 2019 Gold U Award.

The award is given only six times a year to employees who consistently deliver outstanding performance and service to UNMC.

Nominator Sandy Willett, director of the MMI Department of Physical Therapy, called Reelfs “a classic example of one individual driving transformational change within our department. Primarily a clinician, Heidi embraces new challenges and is instrumental in our clinical program, our research activities, and training pediatric physical therapists at all levels.”

Reelfs, who has been at MMI from 1997 to 2004 and again from 2011 to present, called the Gold U completely unexpected.

“It’s a huge honor,” she said, “especially to be recognized by my peers, who are outstanding themselves. The culture of MMI is very supportive of one another, and I think this award is a reflection of the support and mentorship I have received.”

Reelfs works primarily at Bellevue Public Schools, providing early intervention and school-related therapy. She also provides clinical support for research in the lab of Max Kurz, Ph.D., and is collaborating on another research project with Sara Kupzyk, Ph.D.

“That’s a new project I’m excited about,” Reelfs said. “In the cybercycle study, we are working with students with a diagnosis of autism to see if incorporating aerobic exercise within their school day impacts their classroom behavior and health outcomes. We are using stationary bikes with gaming monitors to help the students stay engaged with the exercise while they pedal and steer the bike to play the video game.”

She is on the residency faculty group within the physical therapy department, as well.

“I really enjoy mentoring PT residents during their one-year program at MMI and being involved in clinical teaching with physical therapy students,” Reelfs said.

Sound busy enough? Reelfs also represents MMI and the MMI Department of Physical Therapy on the Nebraska Special Education Advisory Council (NSEAC) and is a Department of Health and Human Services Routines-Based Interview trainer for early intervention providers in the state.

Her work outside the building allows her to represent MMI to the community-at-large.

“I want people to know about Munroe-Meyer Institute and all of the extraordinary things that are happening here,” she said. “I am always proud to represent MMI whether in Bellevue Public Schools or at a state level.”

“She is an advocate for the children we serve and for our profession on a daily basis,” Willett said. “We are proud that she calls MMI home!”