UNMC for the record

From left, Howard Liu, M.D., Robin Tutor Marcom, Ed.D., and UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.

UNMC leaders emphasize behavioral health needs of rural communities during TV appearance
UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., and Howard Liu, M.D., chairman of the UNMC Department of Psychiatry, appeared live on RFD-TV’s “Rural America Live” on Feb. 28 to discuss behavioral health issues unique in rural America.

They were joined by Robin Tutor Marcom, Ed.D., director of the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute. Christina Loren hosted the show from Nashville.

The hourlong show focused on rural issues in behavioral health, including:

  • Statistics and unique issues;
  • Disparities/shortages of providers;
  • Increasing need for services in rural areas;
  • Barriers to accessing services;
  • Efforts to increase the the number of behavioral health providers;
  • How to access services; and
  • The increasing use of technology.

“Rural America Live” is produced by RFD-TV. Find RFD-TV on local television providers.

Campus drives aim to help others

Students in the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions are collecting donations in Omaha (food and toiletries+) and Kearney (food) through March 13. Bins are located in Bennett Hall, the Sorrell Center, the McGoogan Library, and the College of Pharmacy, all in Omaha, and the HSEC in Kearney. In addition to food for the University of Nebraska at Omaha pantry, they are collecting toiletries and clothing donations for the Open Door Mission. Food donations in Kearney will go to the Crossroads Center Rescue Mission.

Items needed are can openers; individually wrapped paper towels and toilet paper; toiletries (individually wrapped) soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo; packaged foods such as canned chicken in water, canned vegetables and meats, boxed meals, granola bars and peanut butter; and clothing for adults and children, including T-shirts, jackets, hoodies, pants and shoes.

Throughout March, the UNMC Department of Psychiatry social workers will be collecting hygiene items as a way to help their patients and celebrate National Professional Social Work Month.

Anyone interested in participating may leave hygiene products in drop boxes on the third and fifth floor of Poynter Hall (corner of Dewey Street and 42nd Street). Some of the needed personal items include toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, shavers, shaving cream, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products.

Program will discuss stress management for postdocs
The Office of Postdoctoral Education will present “Stress Management for Busy Postdocs in the Digital Age” on Wednesday, March 20 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Durham Research Center, Room 1004. Steven Wengel, M.D., assistant vice chancellor for campus wellness, and Jonathon Sikorski, Ph.D., director of wellness education, will explore stress management for postdoctoral scholars who find themselves busy and stressed by the responsibilities of developing a work-life balance. Drs. Wengel and Sikorski will focus on the five pillars of wellness: gratitude, sleep, exercise, mindfulness and meditation.

Dr. Cushman-Vokoun appointed to American Board of Pathology committee









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Allison Cushman-Vokoun, M.D., Ph.D.
Allison Cushman-Vokoun, M.D., Ph.D. has been appointed to the American Board of Pathology’s (ABPath) 2019 Test Development and Advisory Committee (TDAC) for Molecular Genetic Pathology. The TDACs are responsible for developing and reviewing the ABPath certification exam questions that assess and certify a physician’s education, knowledge, experience, and skills in order to provide high quality care in the pathology profession.

Dr. Cushman-Vokoun is the medical director of the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at UNMC and the fellowship director of the Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship Program. She is actively involved and sits on the National Board of Medical Examiners USMLE Step I Standard Setting Panel, USMLE Pathology and Genetics Test Development Committee and USMLE IRC Committee, is a member of CAP Personalized Health Care Committee and is chair of the CAP CAR-T and Gene Editing Workgroup. She is also a UNMC alumna, receiving her Ph.D. in 2002 and her M.D. in 2004.

Kari Nelson, Ph.D., becomes UNMC representative for SDRME
The Society of Directors of Research in Medical Education invited Kari Nelson, Ph.D., to become UNMC’ s institutional representative in their organization. The Society is an advocate for education research and development in medicine and seeks to influence national research policy. Dr. Nelson’s role at UNMC is to facilitate and expand medical student and house officer-driven education research projects. She welcomes the opportunity to represent UNMC in this international Society and is eager to bring additional collaborators, research ideas, and resources back to UNMC.

UNO School of Public Administration holds open house
The University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Public Administration is holding an open house on Thursday, March 14, from 4-7 P.M. in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) building on the UNO Dodge Street campus.

This event provides an opportunity for prospective students to learn about the School of Public Administration, alumni to reconnect with the School, and for current students to connect with alumni who are professionals in the community.

Event Schedule

  • 4-5 p.m. — Open house, CPACS, Room 111 5:30-6 p.m. — Alumni panel, CPACS, Room 132

  • 6-7 p.m. — Networking event, CPACS, Room 132

All are welcome at any point during the event agenda, and guests are not required to stay until the end of the programming. Prospective students, current students, and alumni are all welcome to attend.

Registration and additional details are available on the event page. Register and check-in at the event for a chance to win an application fee waiver.