Editor's Update on March 16, 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the department is no longer fundraising on behalf of our Global Health Program Fund and Innovation Fund endowments. The Early Bird Run is also cancelled.
Several Department of Anesthesiology members are lacing up their running shoes to raise money for the department’s global health and innovation endowment funds.
Nearly 20 faculty, staff and their loved ones plan to complete Omaha’s Early Bird 10-mile Run on April 4 at Zorinsky Lake Park. The group, dubbed "Team UNMC Anesthesiology," hopes to raise $2,000 in the days leading up to the event by garnering support from family and friends.
The newly-announced department executive vice chair, Mo Shukry, M.D., Ph.D., not only pledged to run the race, but to donate $50 on behalf of every department member who signs up and shares the donation link with family and friends. Nick Heiser, M.D., associate residency program director, organized the team fundraising effort.
"This opportunity not only raises money for a cause we all believe in, but it provides opportunity for us all to have fun together while getting exercise and supporting our local community," said Dr. Heiser.
Nebraska Medicine is the presenting sponsor of the event, which is named after the popular brunch restaurant in the Blackstone District near campus, Early Bird. Participants will receive brunch from Early Bird & Bob’s Donuts, as well as Archetype Coffee, another Blackstone District business. Mimosa’s, a race t-shirt, a medal and race photos will also be provided.
Registration is currently 85 percent full, so participants are encouraged to sign up soon. Cost is $69, and the deadline is March 6. Department members who plan to participate include:
Katie Berky, M.D.
Greg Campbell, M.D.
Marci Franzen, M.D.
Nick Hall
Nick Heiser, M.D.
Zhaohui Hu, M.D.
Shelley Iverson, D.O.
Kyle Johnson, M.D.
Dannika Kaufman
Tom Nicholas, M.D.
Laura Oseka
Michaela Purcell
Erin Renze, D.O.
Blaine Schlawin, D.O.
Mohanad Shukry, M.D., Ph.D.
Walker Thomas
Nick Stalnaker
The Department of Anesthesiology’s Global Health Program Fund raises money to provide long-term financial stability to the annual surgical mission trip to Gitwe, Rwanda. The Innovation Fund is used for endeavors that advance the specialty of anesthesiology. The Early Bird Race, organized by Pink Gorilla Events out of Lincoln, Neb., does not directly benefit a specific cause. The company puts on several popular local running events a year, and has raised $517,000 for non-profit and community groups since it was founded in 2008.
Contact team organizer, Nick Heiser, M.D.: n.heiser@unmc.edu
Donation link: www.unmc.edu/anesthesia/donate