UNMC for the record

Dr. Muelleman elected president of the American Board of Emergency Medicine
Robert Muelleman, M.D., professor at UNMC and past-chair of the UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine, recently was elected president of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM). Dr. Muelleman has been a member of the board of directors since July 2011, and was elected to the executive committee in 2015. Dr. Muelleman has served on the UNMC faculty for 25 years, including 18 years as head of emergency medicine (1998-2016). In 2007, he created the UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine, and in 2004, he oversaw the establishment of a three-year emergency medicine residency program at UNMC. The residency program has attracted resident physicians from all over the country. Dr. Muelleman has served the ABEM in a number of capacities, including as an examiner for the Oral Certification Examination since 2005, an item writer for the ConCert Examination, and as representative to the Residency Review Committee for Emergency Medicine.

New award for nurse practitioners, physician assistants memorializes med center patient
A new award has been established to recognize medical center nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). Members of the UNMC/Nebraska Medicine community can nominate a deserving colleague starting Monday, Aug. 6 through Monday, Oct. 1.

The Nebraska Medicine NP/PA of Excellence Award, in memory of patient Catherine McCollister-Wood, recognizes one NP and one PA each year for his or her outstanding service at Nebraska Medicine and the Omaha community. McCollister-Wood was born June 29, 1990. Three months after she was born, she was diagnosed with myelodysplasia. At that time, it was very unusual for a baby to have this condition. In addition to needing blood products two to three times a week, she had many hospital admittances and finally received a bone marrow transplant days before her first birthday.

Unfortunately, complications from graft and disease took her life on May 28, 1992.

"Numerous people at Nebraska Medical Center helped us, including Drs. Peter Coccia and Phyllis Warkentin and many nurses, child life specialists and social workers," said McCollister-Woods' parents, David and Ann Wood. "We received outstanding care here and thus, we created a memorial to honor an outstanding pediatric nurse for a number of years. We're now pleased to have our award recognize an outstanding NP and PA."

The nominee must have been employed by Nebraska Medicine for at least two years and have no disciplinary action on his or her record. A committee will select the award winners each fall. Winners will receive a stipend to attend a continuing education seminar of their choice. To nominate a deserving NP or PA colleague, click here.

Student receives AAUW career development grant
Balkissa Ouattara, a student pursuing a master’s degree in maternal and child health, has been awarded a career development grant from the American Association of University Women. Recipients will pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls. The association is one of the world’s leading supporters of graduate women’s education, having awarded more than $115 million in fellowships, grants, and awards to 13,000 women from more than 145 countries since 1888. The funding helps women continue their education and research, especially given that the growing burden of student debt disproportionately impacts women. AAUW’s awards alleviate that burden so women can focus on developing the skills and experience they need to excel.