A reception honoring Debra Romberger, MD, outgoing chair of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, was held Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the Wigton Heritage Center atrium.
More than 100 colleagues, friends and members of the med center community attended, most of them waiting in line to speak one-on-one with Dr. Romberger.
See a photo album from the event.
In a recorded message, Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, expressed gratitude for Dr. Romberger’s nearly 10 years of leadership as chair of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine.
“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 congratulate and thank you, Deb, for a job well done, and I look forward to continue to draw on your expertise in your new advisory role to me.”
As of Jan. 1, Dr. Romberger is serving in a special advisory role with the UNMC College of Medicine’s dean’s office.
Dr. Britigan, who appointed Dr. Romberger interim chair of the department in 2014 and permanent chair a year later, said:
“At that time, Nebraska Medicine was in its infancy as an institution, and there was much concern about what the role of the clinical departments and their chairs would be going forward. Dr. Romberger emerged from the chair search as the candidate who not only was willing to step forward to lead in a time of uncertainty but saw it as an opportunity to make the department, the college and our clinical programs better. And over the last 10 years, she has done just that.”
Dr. Britigan attributed success in the department’s clinical, research and educational program to Dr. Romberger’s leadership.
“By all parameters used to assess academic departments of internal medicine, UNMC has benefited enormously from Deb’s leadership,” he said. “Dr. Romberger’s success as a leader is due, in part, that she has remained true to her personal values and her belief in academic medicine. (Her) transparent and compassionate approach to leading the department has been a key to its success.”
At the time of her appointment in 2015, she was only the second woman to serve as a permanent clinical chair at UNMC and has – and will continue to be – an advocate and role model for women leaders at UNMC and across the country.
Kristina Bailey, MD, professor and vice chair of faculty development for the department, said Dr. Romberger’s mentorship was transformational.
“Your belief in the potential of all of us – particularly women physicians and scientists – inspired many of us to be much more than we first dreamed,” Dr. Bailey said. “You’ve shown us that success is not just about individual achievements but about lifting others and creating space for all voices.”
Angie Peppers, vice chair of finance and administration for the department, said being part of the department is like being part of a family.
“We are proud to be a member of this chosen family that Deb has led and fostered,” she said. “As members of the internal medicine family, we know we are encouraged and will support each other in our opportunities, successes and struggles both professional and personal. I couldn’t be more grateful to have the privilege to work with and to know Deb and to carry with us the lessons we have learned.”
Mark Rupp, MD, interim chair of the department, introduced Dr. Romberger at the event and said she has been a “true servant leader.”
“She listens, she cares, she is committed to her people, she is a wise steward of resources, and she works to achieve a higher goal,” he said. “Not seeking personal gain or recognition, she has gone quietly about for several decades making UNMC and all those around her better. Clearly, as the interim chair following Dr. Romberger, it is not lost upon me that I have big shoes to fill and a rich legacy to uphold.”
Dr. Romberger’s own message to the crowd was one of gratitude.
She thanked Stephen Rennard, MD, who gave her the start in his research lab, and Dr. Britigan, for entrusting her with the department chair position. She thanked her colleagues and research staff, the department’s division chiefs because “they are the ones who helped make running the department easier and have grown the department,” her vice chairs “past and present for their counsel,” and the faculty and staff “who do so much every day to contribute to the department mission.
“Really the most important thing I want to say is thank you,” Dr. Romberger said. “I have really loved this job. I have loved it because of the people.”