Lookin’ at U — Jill Hallgren

Each Thursday, we randomly feature a medical center employee.

This week, we learn more about Jill Hallgren, office associate in the College of Public Health Rural Health Education Network.

• Name: Jill Hallgren
  
• Hometown: Omaha
  
• No. of years at UNMC: 5

What is your best memory from your time at UNMC?

Jill Hallgren

Recently RHEN hosted the 19th Annual State Science Meet for Nebraska’s eighth graders. I went with the students to their tour stops when they were at UNMC, which were hosted by various members of our campus community. In the anatomic pathology lab, students were able to physically hold internal organs. The best part was that most students were not squeamish and were rather quite eager to hear what their presenters said. It created a sense of pride for me in the regard that had RHEN not provided the science meet program for these students, it is unlikely that they would get to have such an experience.

Our four brand values are leadership, commitment to excellence, working together and being a trusted resource. Pick one and tell us a time you witnessed it embodied at UNMC.

Since I have become a member of the College of Public Health and even more so since we have all merged into the Harold M. and Beverly Maurer Center for Public Health, I am amazed at the strong commitment to excellence that all of the faculty and staff have not only to their personal work, but to the college as a whole. It is abundantly clear that they are working for what they feel passionately about and that ultimately reflects upon the excellence of the university.

List three things people may not know about you.

• I regularly practice yoga and have done so for the past six years. I received my yoga teaching certification in 2009.
  
• My great aunt was the sole chef and namesake of the now closed “Frankie and Phyls” restaurant on 24th Street.
  
• When I was in fourth grade, I won a Bureau of Land Management art contest for endangered species, which they turned into a postage stamp. I did a painting of a fisher.