For more than 20 years, Steven Senseney, M.D., has been teaching UNMC medical students at all levels at the Cherry County Clinic and Hospital in Valentine, Neb.
“We take UNMC third-year medical students for eight weeks to observe and assist in family practice,” Dr. Senseney said. “Students get a good idea of what family practice entails in a rural community setting.”
In 1979, Dr. Senseney joined the College of Medicine’s volunteer faculty program as a clinical assistant professor in family medicine. He has assisted students in clinical procedures as well as emergency room operational procedure.
For his countless contributions, Dr. Senseney received the College of Medicine’s Volunteer Faculty of the Month Award for July 2002.
“Dr. Senseney has been a stalwart in our rural preceptor network,” said Michael Sitorius, M.D., chairman of the department of family medicine. “His mentorship to medical students has been exemplary.”
Dr. Senseney earned his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Colorado College in 1971 and his medical degree from Omaha’s Creighton University in 1975. After completing his residency in family practice at Creighton affiliated hospitals in Omaha, Dr. Senseney began his working at developing his own family practice in Valentine, Neb., in 1978.
“I enjoy teaching and working with the medical students and nursing students who have chosen to further their education in our area,” Dr. Senseney said.
Since 1978, Dr. Senseney has provided his services for the Cherry County Clinic and Hospital. He also assists with the AIDS information and sex-education classes at Valentine Rural High School.
“I have worked with the state health department, the department of rural health, and the department of economic development, as well as architectural firms,” Dr. Senseney said. “All of this has given me a deeper understanding of the difficulties inherent in providing quality health care for rural areas.”