UNMC for the record

Dr. Ozen speaks at American College of Rheumatology meeting

During the 2021 Annual American College of Rheumatology scientific meeting, Gulsen Ozen, MD, a third-year internal medicine resident, gave a plenary talk on her research on cardiovascular disease, mortality and diabetes outcomes with statin use in rheumatoid arthritis. Less than 1 percent of submitted abstracts are chosen for plenary.

Dr. Ozen also received the Resident Research Preceptorship award from the Rheumatology Research Foundation, which funded three months of research this year. The purpose of the preceptorship is to introduce residents to the specialty of rheumatology by supporting a full-time research experience, with the goal of attracting promising physician scientists to the field of rheumatology.

Paulin joins in proclamation on preventing pressure injuries

Renee Paulin, a nurse planner for continuing nursing education in the UNMC College of Nursing, was one of about 10 nurses on hand Wednesday when Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a proclamation for Nov. 18 as Worldwide Pressure Injury Prevention Day in Nebraska.

Paulin, an expert in pressure injuries, also known as bedsores, is president of the Nebraska affiliate of the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society.

The proclamation encourages Nebraskans to recognize that pressure injuries are preventable. Hospitals, nursing homes and other health care organizations will host special activities to recognize the contributions of the staff and their role for pressure injury prevention.

Some 2.5 million Americans get pressure injuries every year, and the injuries claim the lives of more than 60,000 people annually. Pressure injuries cost the U.S. health care system more than $11 billion annually.

UNMC College of Nursing faculty have been recognized as national leaders in wound care and prevention, including Joyce Black, PhD, professor, Janet Cuddigan, PhD, professor, and Nancy Bergstrom, PhD, professor emeritus.

Food trucks on campus 

Next week, the medical center community again can grab lunch from a food truck on campus. 

A different food truck will be on campus each day from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. north of the UNMC ice rink. The schedule for the week of Nov. 15 is: 

• Monday, Nov. 15 – Taste of New Orleans
• Tuesday, Nov. 16 – Burning Bridges (burgers, sandwiches, chicken)
• Wednesday, Nov. 17 – No truck today
• Thursday, Nov. 18 – ZEMOGS (Mexican food)
• Friday, Nov. 19 – Street Eats (burgers, wraps and salads)

UNMC also offers food truck service on the west side of campus. Food trucks will be parked in front of the Durham Research Towers from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The schedule for the week of Nov. 15 is:

• Monday, Nov. 15 – Game Time Eats (philly sandwiches, homemade bread)
• Tuesday, Nov. 16 – Taste of New Orleans
• Wednesday, Nov. 17 – Street Eats (burgers, wraps and salads)
• Thursday, Nov. 18 – Burning Bridges (burgers, sandwiches, chicken)
• Friday, Nov. 19 – ZEMOGS (Mexican food)

Retirements announced

Denise Wessling, from the UNMC Department of Facilities, Management and Planning, retired on Oct. 9 after a career of more than 35 years at UNMC.

Wessling was the longest-tenured employee whose retirement was announced by human resources this week. Other announced retirements included:

• Saralyn Fisher, UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, retired Oct. 15 (start date: Oct. 1, 1990)
• Mary Froeschle, DDS, UNMC College of Dentistry, retired Nov. 2 (start date Dec. 6, 1993)
• Robert Spicer, MD, UNMC Department of Pediatrics-Cardiology, retired Oct. 2 (start date March 1, 2012); and
• Cheryl Dunn, UNMC Department of Surgery, retired Nov. 2 (start date Jan. 24, 2013)