Dr. Ellis appointed president of Nebraska AAP

Cynthia Ellis, M.D., professor of pediatrics and psychiatry for UNMC and director of developmental medicine for the Munroe-Meyer Institute, began a two-year term as president of the Nebraska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics on July 1.

She replaces Arwa Nasir, M.B.B.S., associate professor of pediatrics for UNMC, as chapter president.

“Our chapter works at the local, state and national level to promote the health and well-being of Nebraska’s infants, children, adolescents and young adults,” Dr. Ellis said. “It is the medical association home for 375 primary care and specialist pediatricians and child health care providers in Nebraska.”

The Nebraska Chapter supports the policies and objectives of the American Academy of Pediatrics through child advocacy efforts, professional education, and quality patient care to improve outcomes for all children and their families.

A 1985 graduate of the UNMC College of Medicine, Dr. Ellis has served on the UNMC faculty since 1998. She has been a fellow of the AAP since 1992. For the past two years, she has been serving as chapter vice president.

Dr. Ellis is director of MMI’s Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Interdisciplinary Training Program and the MMI Autism Leadership Academy (ALA). In 2017, Dr. Ellis received the Interprofessional Education Scholar Award as part of UNMC’s Impact in Education Awards.