Dr. Cohen receives Society of Toxicology Merit Award, other honors
Samuel Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., Havlik-Wall Professor of Oncology in the UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology, received the Ambassador Award from the Mid-Atlantic Society of Toxicology in October. Dr. Cohen also was honored with the Distinguished Scientist Award, American College of Toxicology at the 2016 Annual ACT Meeting. He also will be presented the Society of Toxicology Merit Award on March 12 during the awards ceremony held at the society's annual meeting in Baltimore.
The Society of Toxicology Merit Award is presented to a member in recognition of distinguished contributions to toxicology throughout an entire career in areas such as research, teaching, regulatory activities, consulting and service to the society. The award consists of a plaque, a cash stipend and an invitation for Dr. Cohen to deliver the Merit Award Lecture at March's annual meeting.
Dr. Gigantelli re-elected to Board of Regents for American College of Surgeons
James Gigantelli, M.D., professor and interim chair, UNMC Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, has been re-elected to his second term on the Board of Regents of the American College of Surgeons. With more than 80,000 members, the ACS is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. The ACS is governed by the 24 members who make up the Board of Regents.
Dr. Shaw to speak on his book, 'Last Night in the OR'
Bud Shaw, M.D., professor, surgery, and the surgeon who started the liver transplant program at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine in 1985, will review his book, "Last Night in the OR," for the Eclectic Book Review Club on Feb. 21. The book club has monthly meetings, which include lunch, at the Field Club, 3615 Woolworth Ave., starting at noon. Cost to attend is $13 per person. Call Rita at 402-553-3147 to make a reservation.
Dr. Linder elected to board of directors of Streck, Inc.
James Linder, M.D., chief strategist of the University of Nebraska System and president of the University Technology Development Corporation, has been elected to the board of directors of Streck, Inc., an Omaha-based firm that develops and manufactures products for clinical and research laboratories.
Dr. Linder was a longtime faculty member in the UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology. He also served as interim dean of the UNMC College of Medicine and as interim president of the University of Nebraska System. He will serve on Streck's compensation committee.
College of Medicine Dean's Offices collect for Food Bank
This year, the College of Medicine Dean's Offices organized a food drive for the Food Bank for the Heartland. From Nov. 28 through Dec. 12, the drive collected 396 pounds of canned and boxed items, toiletries and paper products. "We want to say 'thank you' to everyone who contributed," said Lori Clapper, one of the organizers of the drive.
Record number of heart transplants performed at Nebraska Medicine in 2016
Last year was a record-breaking one for Nebraska Medicine’s left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and heart transplant programs. Forty-two heart transplants were performed – the most in a single year of the program.
Of those 42, 37 were LVAD patients – including Dan Alexander of Papillion, Neb., who became the 100th LVAD-to-transplant patient at Nebraska Medicine. Alexander’s health problems started in 2013 when he suffered a widow-maker heart attack.
"I’m one of the few who survived it," he said.
For three years, Alexander relied on the LVAD to keep him alive – until he received a phone call in August 2016 that a heart was available.
"It’s my second chance," Alexander said. "There’s so much more to do – so much more to give back to the people you love and thousands you don’t know."
Since his transplant in August, 14 more LVAD patients received a heart transplant at Nebraska Medicine.
These days, 63-year-old Alexander is doing well and enjoys volunteering at the hospital – sharing advice and encouragement with other heart patients and families.
"Life is beautiful. It sure is," he said.