Eight UNMC Department of Anesthesiology faculty members were recognized in October as part of the UNMC Circle of Distinction.
The Circle of Distinction event, held Oct. 1, recognized the recipients of endowed chairs, professorships and fellowships – the highest academic awards the university can bestow on a faculty member – as well as the benefactors who supported them.
Jessica Goeller, DO, was the department’s new honoree this year. Dr. Goeller is the Dr. Jane Kugler, MD, and Douglas Vonderfecht, MD, Family Professor of Pediatric Anesthesiology, which is a gift of Dr. Douglas K. Vonderfecht, Dr. Jane A. Kugler, and friends of Dr. Jane Kugler, the division of pediatric anesthesiology and the department through Children’s Nebraska Foundation.
Dr. Goeller was one of 50 new faculty members and their corresponding benefactors who were honored during the event, which also recognized more than 150 faculty and benefactors who previously had joined the Circle of Distinction – including the following anesthesiology faculty members:
- Madhuri Are, MD – Robert Lieberman Professor of Anesthesiology, generously given by Robert P. Lieberman, MD
- Karsten Bartels, MD, PhD – Robert Lieberman Endowed Chair of Anesthesiology, generously given by Robert P. Lieberman, MD
- Steven J. Lisco, MD – Myrna Newland, MD, Professor of Anesthesiology, generously given by Myrna C. Newland, MD, James R. Newland, MD, and friends of Dr. Myrna Newland and the department
- Gurudutt Pendyala, PhD – Robert Lieberman Professor of Anesthesiology, generously given by Robert P. Lieberman, MD
- Sasha Shillcutt, MD – Dr. Gail Walling Yanney Professor of Anesthesiology, generously given by Michael B. Yanney in honor of his wife, Gail Walling Yanney, MD
- Mohanad Shukry, MD, PhD – Carol Lydiatt, MD, and Dan Lydiatt, MD Professor of Pediatric Anesthesiology, generously given by Carol Lydiatt, MD, Dan Lydiatt, MD, and friends of Dr. Carol Lydiatt, the division of pediatric anesthesiology, and the department through Children’s Nebraska Foundation
- Hanjun Wang, MD – Margaret R. Larson Professor of Anesthesiology, generously given by the estate of Richard H. Larson
See the event program with a list of faculty recognitions and benefactors.
Endowments are critical to UNMC’s ability to recruit and retain the highest-quality faculty, said Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD. “The greatest institutions have the best minds — the most creative researchers, the most engaged educators. And, as we recognize today, UNMC has successfully attracted and retained leading stars in academic medicine … stars who will ensure we attract the best and brightest students.”
Dr. Shukry, interim chair of the department of anesthesiology, congratulated Dr. Goeller as the newest member of the circle, calling her an exemplary pediatric anesthesiologist and physician leader.
“Recruiting Dr. Goeller almost eleven years ago is one of the best decisions I have made, and bestowing this honor on her will help us retain her at UNMC as the role model she has become,” Dr. Shukry said. “Her impact on the department and UNMC’s education, research and clinical mission is palpable across campus.”
Dr. Shukry said he is also grateful for Drs. Kugler and Vonderfecht for their generosity in establishing this endowment. “They both truly understand the importance of endowments in recruiting and retaining top talent to UNMC and Nebraska,” he said. “They both have our gratitude, so do all other donors who generously established endowments in the Department of Anesthesiology and UNMC.”
Lori Byrne, executive vice president of advancement and campaign director for the University of Nebraska Foundation, praised all the donors and UNMC faculty who were honored.
“Faculty are one of the reasons donors want to invest in the University of Nebraska,” she said. “These generous benefactors allow UNMC to recruit and retain faculty who are the best of the best and who will teach the next generation of Nebraska’s health care providers and conduct critical research that changes lives and saves lives.”