Dr. Lisco appointed to leadership roles beginning July 1

Steven Lisco, MD will assume two leadership roles currently held by Carl Smith, MD, starting July 1. Dr. Lisco, chair of the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology, has been appointed to the Nebraska Medicine chief academic officer position, and the UNMC College of Medicine senior associate dean for clinical affairs. Both roles have been held by Dr. Smith, who will continue in his role as chair of the UNMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Carl Smith, MD

"The roles reflect the weight Nebraska Medicine places on the tripartite mission of UNMC and the significance UNMC has in successfully meeting the strategic mission of the health system," Dr. Lisco said. "I am looking forward to continuing to strengthen the relationships and the trust that has been built over the past several years. It is truly a unique relationship and one that will become even more important."

The chief academic officer of Nebraska Medicine is jointly appointed by the dean of the College of Medicine, currently Bradley Britigan, MD, and the chief executive officer of Nebraska Medicine, currently Jim Linder, MD, and reports directly to both. This leadership position is responsible for overseeing UNMC's employed academic physician practice, as well as its research and education components at Nebraska Medicine, while serving as liaison to the UNMC College of Medicine. The senior associate dean for clinical affairs, appointed by the dean of the College of Medicine, is responsible for coordinating clinical activity of the college's faculty in conjunction across all clinical practice sites, including but not limited to Children's Hospital & Medical Center and the VA.

Dr. Britigan said that during Dr. Lisco's 10 years as chair of the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology and in leadership and support of numerous Nebraska Medicine clinical programs, he has demonstrated the energy, knowledge, vision and leadership skills that made him the ideal individual to succeed Dr. Smith.

"Under his leadership, the department of anesthesiology has grown dramatically and in directions that support all the college's academic and clinical objectives," Dr. Britigan said. "I look forward to working with Dr. Lisco as he adds these new leadership roles. I am confident his actions will allow our organizations to further excel in all our missions through the creation and implementation of an academic clinical practice environment that supports our faculty and provides exceptional patient care."

"Dr. Lisco is a wonderful choice to continue strengthening the relationship between academic programs and health system," Dr. Linder said. "I have enjoyed working with him in his role as chair of anesthesiology, and I am confident in the vision and experience he brings the chiefs’ team."

Dr. Lisco said he is grateful for the opportunity from Dr. Britigan and Dr. Linder to serve in these capacities. His soon-to-be predecessor has his own praise to share for Dr. Lisco.

"Dr. Britigan and Dr. Linder's decision to appoint Dr. Lisco as my successor has my full and complete support," Dr. Smith said. "He is a good corporate thinker and has high standards for himself and those he leads. He asks insightful questions and is a direct and articulate communicator. He will do a superb job."

Dr. Lisco arrived at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine in 2012. Prior, he served on the faculty at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He served as director of the division of critical care medicine in the department of anesthesiology and co-medical director of the cardiovascular intensive care unit at UC Health – University Hospital. He also served as the director of Out-of-OR Anesthesiology as well as the program director of the anesthesiology critical care fellowship.

Dr. Smith became the first chief academic officer for Nebraska Medicine when the role was established in 2018. Prior, there was a senior associate dean for clinical affairs in the College of Medicine and president of UNMC Physicians role in which Dr. Smith had served since 2010.

"Since the inception of Nebraska Medicine, we have been fortunate to have the steady hand of Dr. Smith guiding the integration, his experience has been essential in building trust between academic physicians and Nebraska Medicine," Dr. Linder said.

Dr. Smith noted that the opportunity to serve as chief academic officer and senior associate dean for clinical affairs allowed him to think more broadly about medical education, research and clinical care than in his position as chair of obstetrics and gynecology.

"I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about health care operations and finance, and the chance to work with the consummate professionals that lead the health system, and the college was invaluable," he said.

Through his numerous clinical leadership roles, Dr. Britigan said that Dr. Smith made innumerable contributions to the missions of each organization and the patients who entrust their care to us.

"Dr. Smith has been a strong voice for our faculty physicians and specialized in taking on difficult issues and challenges. His leadership in these roles has been critical to the successful partnership between UNMC and Nebraska Medicine," Dr. Britigan said. "His presence in his current roles will be missed, but I look forward to his continued leadership as chair of obstetrics and gynecology and other activities in the college of medicine and Nebraska Medicine."

Dr. Lisco shared his appreciation for the work Dr. Smith has done to build the foundational relationships and operational procedures that have allowed the academic practice to flourish.

"I am grateful for his leadership as well as the guidance and mentorship that he has imparted to me since my arrival on campus," Dr. Lisco said. "It is both a humbling and daunting task to follow him in the chief academic officer and senior associate dean role. I expect to be leaning heavily on his wisdom and experience during the transition and beyond."