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Tekamah woman’s trust helps fund UNMC medical nutrition scholarship

Rich and Carol Smiley of Tekamah, representing Sandra Stork's family, joined Barbara Robertson, center, at UNMC's celebration of the endowment of the Stork Robertson Medical Nutrition Scholarship.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Allied Health Professions has announced the endowment of the Stork Robertson Medical Nutrition Scholarship.

The scholarship is named in part for the late Sandra Stork, longtime director of clinical dietetics at UNMC, who grew up in the Tekamah, Neb. area.

A 1962 graduate of Tekamah High School, Stork grew up on the family farm near Tekamah and continued to be involved in its operation throughout her life. She served as a faculty member at UNMC from 1970 through the mid ‘80s and continued to train UNMC faculty into the 2000s.

Stork died in 2014 at age 70. The Sandra S. Stork Charitable Trust will help fund medical nutrition education for a Nebraska student.

Barbara Robertson, one of Stork’s former students, a close colleague and friend, matched it with her own money to help fund a student from out of state. Originally from Wyoming, Robertson completed her dietetic internship at UNMC in 1982 and started working there as a clinician and clinical/classroom instructor immediately following graduation. She continues to serve as a clinical preceptor.

“Sandy and Barb were always about putting students first,” said Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions. “The creation of this endowed scholarship reflects their commitment to students and will serve as their enduring legacy.”

Robertson said it is fitting that Stork’s service as a mentor to others will continue through this scholarship.

“She could see the potential in others,” Robertson said. “She invested in me for 33 years, working to develop my potential. I am so grateful.

“May I do the same for others.”

Laura Evans of Columbus, Neb., and Elizabeth Tiffany of St. Joseph, Minn., are the inaugural recipients of the Stork Robertson Medical Nutrition Scholarship. Two recipients will be chosen each year for the partial scholarships.

We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.

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