Coming back to Omaha to become director of the Rural Health Education Network (RHEN) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center was a perfect opportunity for Patrik Johansson, M.D., M.P.H.
As a medical student on rotation in western Nebraska, Dr. Johansson witnessed first-hand the unique challenges of providing health care in rural areas, an experience that greatly influenced his career interests.
“In the 12 years since, I have worked in clinical medicine and health policy and conducted research with different communities experiencing health disparities,” he said. “The position of RHEN director allows me to return to my home state to address health disparities and enhance community health through workforce development.”
As RHEN director, Dr. Johansson said he will work to strengthen the rural partnerships the office has established in the state. Those include partnerships with the Area Health Education Centers, local public health departments, health professions associations, as well as state, tribal and federal agencies.
“I also hope to introduce public health careers as a component of RHEN, as well as publish our results and best practices,” said Dr. Johansson, who also will serve as associate professor in the department of health promotion, social and behavioral health in the UNMC College of Public Health.
Dr. Johansson comes to UNMC from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, where he taught courses on health disparities, community health management and management approaches to public health and conducted research on infant mortality. He also served as deputy chief medical officer for the Greater Southeast Community Hospital in Washington D.C.
He grew up in Gothenburg, Sweden, Worcester, Mass., and Omaha, where he graduated from high school. He majored in international relations and Japanese at Brown University. Prior to starting medical school at UNMC, he spent two years in Japan working in marketing and public relations. He graduated from medical school in 1997, and obtained his masters of public health degree from Harvard University’s School of Public Health.
Over the years Dr. Johansson has received several awards for his public service efforts. These include: the Harvard School of Public Health’s Albert Schweitzer and Fang Chin Sun Award; Harvard Medical and Dental School Dean’s Community Service Award; the North American Indian Center of Boston Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Services to the Native American community of Boston; and a proclamation for community service from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
"Dr. Johansson brings with him tremendous skills and a breadth of experience that will inspire the RHEN community. I am delighted that he has chosen to come back to Nebraska and anticipate that his leadership will add new strengths to the program,” said Ayman El-Mohandes, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., M.P.H., Dean, UNMC College of Public Health.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources exceeds $100 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 3,200 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
-30-