New faculty spotlight: Derek Kruse, M.D.

Derek Kruse, M.D., is a new faculty member at UNMC.

• Name: Derek Kruse, M.D.
  
• Hometown: Randolph, Neb.
  
• Current position: Assistant professor, Internal Medicine Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep & Allergy

Degrees:

• M.D., Ross University School of Medicine
  
• Residency, Gunderson Health System, La Crosse, Wis.
  
• Fellowship, 2014-2017, UNMC

Research/professional interests:
Personal interest lies in point-of-care ultrasound and fellow education.

How I fell in love with pulmonary and critical care medicine:
I’m a fan of physics. Respiratory mechanics and shock were two things I found interesting above everything else as a student. For me, having outstanding mentors in the field of pulmonary and critical care medicine as a resident solidified my goal for being where I am today.

Memberships:

• American College of Chest Physicians
  
• American Thoracic Society, member

Three things people may not know about me:

• I grew up on a farm in a small town in northeast Nebraska.
  
• I applied to medical school on a whim/dare from a friend.
  
• I worked as an assistant to the defensive line coaches as an undergraduate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.