Dr. Mikuls leading task force on COVID-19 guidance for patients with rheumatic diseases
Ted Mikuls, M.D., is leading a task force on COVID-19 clinical guidance for patients with rheumatic diseases for the American College of Rheumatology. The task force developed clinical guidance for the care of patients with rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Populations considered include patients with a documented COVID-19 infection, those who are stable following exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (but without known infection), and patients who are stable with no infection or exposure. The recommendations address various treatment options and provide general guidance, as well as direction for when to start, stop or reduce medications. Dr. Mikuls said recommendations are based on current knowledge and will be revised as circumstances and evidence evolve. See the recommendations.
Human Resources Department offers projects for those working at home
UNMC Human Resources has outlined “Suggested Projects When Working Remotely.” The 15-point checklist includes a variety of tasks from completing compliance courses to updating job descriptions to finishing performance evaluations. Check out the list and add your own to-dos.
Dr. Marcelin, Sanderson honored by UNMC Student Senate
 |  |
Jasmine Marcelin, M.D. | Scott Sanderson |
Jasmine Marcelin, M.D., and Scott Sanderson were honored by the UNMC Student Senate at its annual Distinguished Mentor, Teacher and Student Impact Awards Luncheon March 4.
Dr. Marcelin, assistant professor of internal medicine, was honored with the senate’s Distinguished Mentor Award. Sanderson, adjunct assistant professor and clinical education coordinator for clinical perfusion education in the College of Allied Health Professions, was named Distinguished Teacher. Honorees are nominated by students, who submit a letter of support.
Christine Eisenhauer, Ph.D., associate professor and clinical nurse specialist, public health, at the UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division, was runner-up for the Distinguished Teacher award. Laura Bilek, Ph.D., associate dean for research in the College of Allied Health Professions, was runner-up for Distinguished Mentor.
In addition, the Student Senate presented 2020 Student of Impact Awards to:
- Isaiah Crum, College of Medicine;
- Matt Kling, Graduate Studies;
- Natalie Kurtenbach, College of Allied Health Professions;
- Naznaz Majid, College of Pharmacy; and
- Gwenn Porter, College of Public Health.
Meaghann Weaver, M.D., receives award for commitment to end-of-life care
Meaghann Weaver, M.D., is one of five leaders nationwide specializing in end-of-life care to receive the 2020 Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physician Award. Dr. Weaver, who is division chief of pediatric palliative care at UNMC and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, received the Early-Career Physician Award.
Awards in the amount of $25,000 each are made to one senior and one mid-career physician, and three additional awards in the amount of $15,000 are given to early-career physicians.
The mission of the Cunniff-Dixon Foundation is to enrich the relationship of doctors and patients who are near the end of life. The Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute that has done groundbreaking work on end-of-life decision-making, cosponsors the awards.
Nominators wrote: “Dr. Weaver is deeply committed to interdisciplinary team care, acknowledging the ways in which her colleagues in palliative care, social work, chaplaincy, nursing and massage therapy inspire her work in the field.”
Dr. Weaver’s pediatric palliative care team received the Circle of Life Citation of Honor in 2019 from the American Hospital Association for their caring work with children with life-limiting diagnoses and their families.
Retirements announced
Tom O’Connor, a member of the UNMC Public Relations Department, retired on March 3 following a more than 30-year career at UNMC. O’Connor was the longest-tenured of four retirements reported to human resources in February. Other announced retirements included, in order of longevity:
- Glenda Woscyna, medical nutrition education, retired April 2 (start date March 1, 1999)
- Shelley Smith, Ph.D., neurological sciences, retired April 1 (start date May 1, 1999)
- Nancy Ambrose, Child Health Research Institute, retired April 10 (start date Nov. 1, 2001)