Dr. Romberger stepping away as internal medicine chair

Debra Romberger, MD, chair of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine since 2015, will step away from that role effective Jan. 1, UNMC College of Medicine Dean Bradley Britigan, MD, announced Thursday.

Dr. Romberger will move to the dean’s office in a special advisory role, Dr. Britigan said.

Dr. Romberger, who served as the first woman chair of a clinical medical department in the college, said she appreciated her time as chair, as well as the colleagues who supported her during her UNMC career.

“It has been my greatest joy to have this job as chair, and that’s because of all the great people that I work with – staff, faculty, trainees, all of our folks,” she said. “It’s been a privilege to work with them. I can’t say enough good things about the people of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine.”

Mark Rupp, MD, who has been chief of infectious diseases since 2011, has been named the interim chair of the department. Dr. Rupp became known in Nebraska, regionally and nationally as a trusted voice on infectious disease issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. He joined UNMC in 1992.

There will be a national search that will begin immediately to fill the role, Dr. Britigan said. Dr. Rupp confirmed that he will not be a candidate for the permanent role.

“Dr. Rupp has proven to be an extraordinary leader, especially during challenging times,” Dr. Britigan said, pointing to Dr. Rupp’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. “He is the right choice to lead the department through this transition.”

Dr. Britigan added that he is excited to work with Dr. Romberger in her new role.

“Dr. Romberger has built a dynamic department during her tenure, with growth and impressive accomplishments in the educational, research and clinical aspects of UNMC’s mission,” Dr. Britigan said. “I look forward to drawing on her expertise as the college of medicine continues to grow and position itself on the cutting-edge of medical education.”

Dr. Romberger recalled arriving at UNMC in 1988 as a research fellow in the lab of Stephen Rennard, MD, before joining the faculty two years later. More than 35 years after she came to UNMC, she steps away from her departmental leadership role with a sense of accomplishment, citing not only the creation of two new divisions – allergy and immunology and hospital medicine – but of leadership roles designed to support faculty and students and increase mentorship in the department.

“I’m looking to the next chair to take the department to a new level,” Dr. Romberger said. “Our educational programs are historically strong, and we need to make sure that continues. Our research has been growing, and more growth is needed. Of course, clinical care is absolutely essential to what we do, and partnering well with Nebraska Medicine will remain important.”

UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, said Dr. Romberger leaves the department in a strong position.

“Under Dr. Romberger’s leadership, the department of internal medicine has experienced forward momentum in all of UNMC’s mission-critical areas,” Dr. Davies said. “She leaves a department poised for future growth, and I am sure she will be equally impactful in her new role within the college of medicine.  I am pleased the department will remain in the very capable hands of Dr. Mark Rupp during the transition to a new permanent chair.”

James Linder, MD, CEO of Nebraska Medicine, praised Dr. Romberger for her nine-year tenure as internal medicine chair and said he looked forward to working with Dr. Rupp in the interim role.

“Dr. Romberger and I go back many years because of our mutual interest in researching lung disease. It has been a pleasure working with her in many administrative roles, including the board of Nebraska Medicine,” Dr. Linder said.

“Dr. Rupp built and led a magnificent division of infectious diseases. He inspired confidence during our management of the pandemic, which is a preview of the strong leadership and mentorship he will provide in this important interim position.”

Dr. Rupp said it was an honor to follow Dr. Romberger as the internal medicine chair.

“Taking this interim role is in no small part due to my admiration of and loyalty to Dr. Romberger,” he said. “I want to recognize her legacy during the transition, and I will strive to serve as a stable bridge to a new permanent chair while also taking advantage of opportunities for growth and positive change in the department ”

David K. Warren, MD, will take over Dr. Rupp’s role as chief of infectious diseases on Jan. 14, 2025.