Greg Karst, Ph.D., executive associate dean of the College of Allied Health Professions, retired at the end of April after 27 years at UNMC. Dr. Karst will be honored at a retirement tea May 13 from 3-5 p.m. (remarks at 3:30) in the Linder Reading Room. The campus is invited.
Dr. Karst has held a number of other vital positions, including president of the UNMC Faculty Senate, co-chair of the UNMC Education Council and associate director of physical therapy education. He is a Fellow in the University of Nebraska Rural Futures Institute.
His lasting legacy is bringing students from across Nebraska to the allied health professions, through admissions and pipeline programs, and most notably, through the role he played in the development and initial implementation of the Health Science Education Complex (HSEC) in Kearney.
“Dr. Karst served as the College of Allied Health Professions administrator at the HSEC during an approximately 18-month period when the facility opened, working tirelessly to connect our programs to the College of Nursing, the University of Nebraska-Kearney, and the Kearney community,” said Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., dean of the College of Allied Health Professions. “His commitment laid the foundation for the current success of the HSEC.”
Dr. Karst recently reflected on his UNMC career.
It was once a very different campus:
“I actually taught in a classroom located inside the power plant at 40th and Dewey Ave. Sadly, that was one of the better classrooms at the time. I feel lucky to have been here when Chancellor Hal Maurer and some very generous donors absolutely transformed both the look and functionality of this campus in an amazingly short time.”
Allied Health coming to Kearney:
“The opportunity to be involved with . . . the Health Science Education Complex on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus was the most gratifying experience of my career in education. There were serious obstacles to overcome, and it required many long days and literally hundreds of 372-mile round-trip drives, but educating health professionals to serve the citizens of rural Nebraska is the essence of our mission at UNMC, and to me that made it all worthwhile.”
What’s next:
“I don’t have any exotic plans for my retirement, but I do miss the beauty of the mountain west and hope to enjoy more time there hiking, skiing, sightseeing, and visiting friends in Arizona and the Pacific Northwest. But I plan on keeping Omaha as my home base and remaining involved with efforts at UNMC to promote equitable access to health professions education.”
Finally, “When you can come to work and mostly get to do things that you believe in with people who are your friends,” Dr. Karst said, “life is good.”
Greg, a hand-on biomechanist, a research physical therapy, a good mentor and a great leader, thanks for all you did for CAHP and UNMC. Enjoy your retirement, the next journey of life! Cheers, Joseph
Congrats on an outstanding career, Greg. You truly made a difference. Take care and enjoy your next chapter.
I remember those lectures in the power plant and you're right, aside from the low hum it was nicer than some of the other classrooms! Thanks for the memories, excellent instruction and invaluable contributions you made to shaping the culture of PT Ed during those years. Well done! Congratulations on your well deserved retirement. Enjoy this new journey.
It's been a pleasure getting to work with you. Enjoy what comes next!
Congratulations on your retirement, Greg. Enjoy it to its fullest, because it doesn't get any better than that. Take care, and all the best that the future holds! I know what you mean by the allure of the mountains b/c that where my wife and I moved.
I have loved working with you Greg! You will be missed.
Congratulations Greg!
Congratulations, Greg! I second, or third or fourth the accolades already expressed by your admirers. Your passion for equity, access, and student success was apparent in everything you did, and often was the engine pushing change up the hill. You were self-less in your leadership around all things HSEC and I can't think of anyone who could have served in that role better than you.
Enjoy your next chapter!
Fantastic career Dr. Karst! I wish you all the best in your retirement!
Congratulations, Dr. Karst! It has been a pleasure working with you. Your work has made this university better. I completely agree with you, "that when you can come to work and mostly get to do things that you believe in with people who are your friends, life is good." Safe travels, friend.
Congratulations Greg. It's been a pleasure getting to know you and working with you at UNMC. I have appreciated your insights and also your vision for the Academy.
-Ron Shope, PhD, Education Researcher, Interprofessional Academy of Educators, Associate Professor, College of Public Health
Congrats Greg! It was a real privilege getting to know you and work with you on some innovative AR/VR projects. All the best!
Congratulations, Greg. Enjoy your retirement. I know CAHP will miss you, as will the UNMC Campus. Ted
Greg, Big Congratulations! Please give us a jingle! Mark and Deb Karst