Russell McCulloh, MD, is new UNeHealth chief medical officer

Russell McCulloh, MD, UNMC associate vice chancellor for clinical research, has been named the chief medical officer for UNeHealth, the contracting and fiscal arm for industry-funded clinical trials on behalf of UNMC.

UNMC Interim Chancellor Dele Davies, MD, announced the appointment. Dr. McCulloh began his new role on March 10.

“UNeHealth will benefit from Dr. McCulloh’s research and leadership experience,” Dr. Davies said. “His vision and experience make him exceptionally well-suited to grow and facilitate our industry and academic partnerships, which will play a pivotal role in advancing UNMC’s research initiatives in the future.”

The goal of UNeHealth is to streamline all aspects of clinical research, such as contracting, IRB approval and support by clinical research associates. UNeHealth also provides a focus and impetus for the growth of industry-funded clinical research at UNMC.

Dr. McCulloh, who is a professor of pediatric hospital medicine and pediatric and adult infectious diseases, and Nebraska Medicine’s vice president for research, said he was excited and honored to take on the new role.

“Our industry-academic partnerships in research are more important than ever,” Dr. McCulloh said. “UNeHealth helps to ensure that UNMC and our health system partners provide our communities with access to potentially life-changing treatments and innovations.”

Dr. McCulloh will succeed Christopher Kratochvil, MD, who has held the role since 2010. Dr. Kratochvil currently serves as the UNMC vice chancellor for external relations and the University of Nebraska interim vice president for external relations.

Dr. Davies thanked Dr. Kratochvil for his excellent leadership in helping to steer and grow UNeHealth’s investigator-initiated clinical research programs and expanding opportunities for UNMC faculty and staff to participate and lead industry supported clinical research programs during his tenure.