UNMC oncologists Philip Bierman, MD, and Elizabeth Reed, MD, are continuing their research on the remarkable women who became pillars of UNMC.
Their latest subject is Mary Jo Henn, MD, a professor of internal medicine — the first woman in that role — and associate dean of student affairs.
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| Elizabeth Reed, MD |
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| Philip Bierman, MD |
Out of a hallway conversation, Drs. Bierman and Reed decided to document the lives and careers of some of the UNMC’s groundbreaking female leaders.
Their first article was on Helen Starke, MD, a trailblazing woman in the medical profession and cardiology field of the 1940s who came to UNMC in 1969.
Dr. Reed, whose medical education in the late 1970s crossed Dr. Henn’s career, said Dr. Henn also immediately came to mind as one of the remarkable women who helped lay the foundation for the success of UNMC.
Read about the life and career of Dr. Mary Jo Henn.
Dr. Reed describes Dr. Henn’s career like this:
"Dr. Henn was educated in Nebraska, and it seems that she had a UNMC mentor as a medical technologist that really helped cement her desire to become a physician. I think that we all need to remember that what we do as faculty and colleagues at UNMC can have far-reaching positive effects directly on the person you interact with and then can trickle down to the next generation that the mentee reaches out and touches.
"I was impressed with Dr. Henn’s fortitude in pursuing her career goals at a time that was not welcoming to women in positions of power. She also continued her work in ill health. She had a fun sense of humor that really suited her position as dean of students. Moreover, I was proud that even in early days UNMC recognized the talents of women physicians and offered them opportunities that were not being offered at other institutions."
Dr. Henn staffed our group of medical students and resident (Jerry Reed) in Internal Medicine at University Hospital when we were juniors about 1964. She was a wonderful teacher, and we loved her dearly. Mary Jo was half Norwegian and half Irish, quite a combination. She became a good friend over the years.
Thank you for documenting the lives of these trailblazers!
Dr Mary Jo was our supporter and advocate for female medical students class of 1958 and 1959. She helped us succeed and persevere!
I was a med student in the 1970’s, knew and loved Dr. Henn. For about two years or more, I drove to her home every Wednesday to give her a B12 injection. She had retired with her M.S. She was a good friend. I am wondering in which cemetery she is buried. I live back in Omaha now and would once again like to visit her. Can anyone help me with that information?