UNMC for the record, March 10, 2023

MMI’s Turner aims to help transform health care

Lequisha Turner, a predoctoral psychology intern at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, has been selected to sit on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Committee on Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Youth through Health Care System Transformation.

The committee will conduct a consensus study to examine promising mechanisms and levers for innovations that can be implemented in the health care system to improve the health and wellbeing of children and youth.

Turner was selected to the committee following a competitive process, as the National Academies sought experts in the various categories of scientific endeavor, balanced viewpoints and a diversity of demographics, backgrounds and perspectives.

Turner is a predoctoral intern at the UMMC Munroe Meyer Institute Department of Psychology and a faculty member in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work. She works with children, adolescents and families from historically underserved communities. She has provided behavioral health care in a federally qualified health center, a school-based health clinic and in multiple integrated primary care locations.

“I am honored and excited to serve on the committee,” Turner said. “My goal is to confront health care inequities and promote holistic wellbeing for future generations.”

UNMC retirements announced

Marlene Lindeman, an assistant professor in the UNMC College of Nursing Omaha Division, retired March 1 after more than 50 years at the university. Lindeman, who taught psychiatric/mental health nursing to undergraduate nursing students in multiple classroom and clinical arenas, also had a one-day-a-week faculty practice role as a certified adult psychiatric/mental health clinical nurse specialist at the University Community Health Center. She first joined UNMC on Aug. 28, 1972.

Another longtime employee who retired in March was Fran Neff, of the UNMC College of Public Health. Neff, who worked as a human resources associate in the office of the dean, retired on March 4. She joined UNMC in Oct. 4, 1976, a more than 47-year tenure at the university.

Other February and March retirements announced this month by the UNMC Department of Human Resources include:

• Oksana Lockridge, PhD, Eppley Institute, retired March 1 (start date July 1, 1990)
• Beverly Davey, UNMC College of Nursing Omaha Division, retired March 1 (start date Aug. 15, 2011)
• Carol Wahl, DNP, UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division, retired March 1 (start date Aug. 14, 2017)
• Angela Jackson, MD, UNMC Department of Radiation Oncology, retired Feb. 11 (start date Oct. 3, 2019

Durham Research Center area sidewalks closing

Starting Monday, March 13, the sidewalk running along Saddle Creek Road to the northwest of Durham Research Center 1, as well as the sidewalk running along Emile Street to the south of Durham Research Center 2, will be closed for construction.

With questions, contact Chris Ehlers by email or at 402-559-4502.

Collection drive supports Women’s Center for Advancement

The RISE Employee Resource Group, in partnership with Nebraska Medicine’s social work department, UNMC Office of Inclusion and Nebraska Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion, is operating a Women’s Essential Needs Drive from Monday, March 13, through April 14.

All items will be donated to the Women’s Center for Advancement to help women during a crisis.

Items needed include:

• Hygiene/toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, body soap, tampons/pads, deodorant, lotion, hair/skin care).
• Undergarments (underwear, bras and socks). Must be new.
• Women’s shoes (small sizes).

Drop off items at these locations:

• Lot 50 skywalk entrance
• Emergency Department (main breakroom)
• Clarkson Tower (front access)
• Social work office (University Tower, second floor)
• Bellevue Medical Center office building (ground level room 0040)
• Sorrell (second floor commons area)
• Lauritzen Outpatient Center (third floor conference room)
• Kiewit ground floor

Departments and units also can organize their own collections. The team will pick items up at the end of the drive. Contact Michelle Schulte at 402-515-4824 or Marquita Govan at 402-740-1737 for information or if a bin is full.

Fostering the Future’s donation drive is extended

UNMC’s Fostering the Future student organization has extended its FTF Health and Hygiene Drive through March 17.

The student organization is collecting toiletries, snacks and baby items that will be made into baskets to be given to Omaha’s foster youth community via organizations including Project Everlast, Project Harmony and Partnership 4 Kids.

Donation bins will be located in the Sorrell Center 2017B, Center for Nursing Science third floor atrium, UNMC College of Public Health second floor commons, the UNMC daycare and the family medicine clinic at Durham Outpatient Center.