Lisa Fuchs, EdD, has been appointed inaugural director of UNMC’s respiratory therapy education program, the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions announced.
The new program is allied health’s 15th profession and will be housed in the college’s department of medical sciences as an "entry-level" master’s degree program. UNMC plans to welcome its first cohort of 20 students in fall 2024, with a plan to gradually increase total enrollment in the program to 52 students and offer the program on both the Omaha and Kearney campuses.
Dr. Fuchs, who previously served as director of clinical education and program director of respiratory care at Nebraska Methodist College, began her duties at UNMC Aug. 1.
At Nebraska Methodist, she led the redesign of student clinical experiences, which among other outcomes increased clinical sites and boosted student enrollment. She also led development of an online degree completion program.
Dr. Fuchs is former president of the Nebraska State Respiratory Care Society and is a board member of the American Lung Association. She is a Mayo Clinic-certified tobacco treatment specialist and has conducted research and presented internationally on tobacco cessation.
She earned a degree in respiratory therapy from Midland University and a bachelor’s in health care management and master of health care administration from Bellevue University. She earned her doctorate in education and leadership in health care from Nebraska Methodist College.
UNMC’s master’s degree program will consist of approximately 80 credit hours delivered over five semesters (21 months) and award a master’s of respiratory care degree. The program will be open to students who complete prerequisite coursework at an undergraduate accredited university but will not require prior competence in respiratory therapy.
Welcome Lisa! It is great to have you at UNMC.
Welcome! It has been great getting to know you and seeing you on campus.
Lisa welcome to UNMC !