Current Students
Faculty & Staff
Alumni
- Amharic
- Arabic
- Chinese (Simplified)
- English
- Myanmar (Burmese)
- Nepali
- Persian
- Somali
- Spanish
- Sundanese
- Swahili
- Vietnamese
- Powered by
  Google Translate

- About Us Overview
- - Meet the Interim Chancellor
    H. Dele Davies, MD, serves as UNMC's interim chancellor.
  - Leadership
    UNMC leaders are creating a more vibrant academic health science center and a stronger economy for all Nebraskans.
  - Access and Campus Culture
    UNMC is a welcoming organization working to make all our faculty, staff and students feel valued.
  - Values & Vision
    UNMC, we work from core values to achieve our strategic goals and vision for transforming the health of Nebraska and beyond.
- - Our Campuses
    The University of Nebraska Medical Center has campuses across Nebraska, bonded through a shared culture and in real time, by distance-learning technology.
  - Public Safety
    The UNMC Department of Public Safety works to provide a safe environment for those who work on, learn at and visit our campuses, as well as lost and found.
  - Maps and Directions
    Maps and directions to the University of Nebraska Medical Center campuses.
  - Emergency Alerts
    Learn about UNMC Alert, which sends emergency notifications to UNMC students and employees.
- - Community Engagement
    As the only public academic health science center in the state, so we embrace the responsibility to reach out across Nebraska and beyond.
  - Statewide Impact
    UNMC's work extends to each region of Nebraska, as we bring the latest breakthroughs to all citizens, from the smallest communities to the largest cities.
  - Educational Outreach
    UNMC's innovative educational engagement programs raise awareness as we help shape the future of health care and recruit the future health care workforce
  - Healing Arts
    The Healing Arts program at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine aims to transform the health care experience by connecting people with the power of art.
- - Strategic Planning
    The University of Nebraska Medical Center uses a strategic planning process to adjust strategies each year for achieving eight goals.
  - Services and Resources
    Procurement processes for bids and vendors, the Central Scheduling Office and other services at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
  - Accreditation
    UNMC has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1913.
  - Government Relations
    Find resources for following state and national proposals, advocating for UNMC and Joining the UNMC Delegates program.
- Education Overview
- - List of Programs
    UNMC offers the full range of academic health sciences programs through its 6 colleges, 2 degree-granting institutes and Graduate Studies.
  - Residencies & Fellowships
    With a goal to educate physicians in a high quality environment, we offer nearly 70 residency and fellowship programs and train more than 600 house officers.
  - Continuing Education
    UNMC continuing education is raising the skill level and knowledge among Nebraska's health care professionals, improving patient outcomes and community health.
  - High School & Undergraduate Programs
    Our pathway programs for high school and undergraduate students offer the opportunity to work toward health care careers.
- - Colleges & Institutes
    The University of Nebraska Medical Center offers six colleges, two degree-granting institutes and graduate studies.
  - Academic Departments
    With nearly 40 academic departments UNMC and its experienced faculty are committed to training the best and brightest health care professionals.
  - Library
    The modern and renovated Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library offers light-filled spaces and deep information resources.
  - Online Programs
    Our online certificate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral programs enable health care professionals to earn advanced degrees while continuing to work.
- - Admissions & Financial Aid
    UNMC values well-rounded individuals, and our admissions team reviews your application carefully. We offer a variety of financial aid options.
  - Life at UNMC
    There's more to life at UNMC than the academic experience. Whether you want to socialize, exercise or become a leader — we've got you covered.
  - Academic Calendar
    Our calendar includes dates and events for our 6 colleges and Graduate Studies.
  - Rural Health Education
    Learn about our expansion of medical, pharmacy and public health programs, through a joint project with the University of Nebraska at Kearney that also will expand our allied health and nursing programs.
- - Technology
    At UNMC, next-generation technology is moving students and faculty from the classroom to an experiential environment.
  - Office of Academic Affairs
    The Office of Academic Affairs is responsible for enriching the academic experiences of students and faculty at UNMC.
  - Life at UNMC
    There's more to life at UNMC than the academic experience. Whether you want to socialize, exercise or become a leader — we've got you covered.
  - Catalog
    The catalog provides curricular requirements, course descriptions, policies and current information for the academic year.
- Research Overview
- Clinical Trials
  Learn about clinical trials, and how you can participate, through the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
- Nebraska Biobank
  The Nebraska Biobank is speeding research through the use of leftover blood samples from patients who choose to take part.
- Make a Gift
  Support the research conducted at UNMC to help those who have cancer, heart disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer's and other diseases.
- Distinguished Scientists
  UNMC's Distinguished Scientists are the best and brightest from all over the world, working to discover treatments and cures for life-threatening diseases
- Resources for Researchers
  The Office of Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) provides resources for researchers.
- Patient Care Overview
- Providers & Clinics
  UNMC faculty provide the best care for people from all over Nebraska, thanks to strong partnerships with hospitals and other clinical organizations.
- Consumer Health Information
  Our Health Sciences Library offers services to help Nebraska residents or patients receiving health care in Nebraska research health questions and topics.
- Clinical Trials
  Learn about clinical trials, and how you can participate, through the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
- Patient Privacy
  How medical information about you may be used and how to get access to this information.
- HIPAA at UNMC
  The privacy and security of health information is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
- News & Media Overview
- - News Archives
    University of Nebraska news archives
  - Connect Magazine
    Connect magazine displays UNMC's global impact through writing, photography and design.
  - Blogs
    Stay updated on a range of topics at UNMC through our blogs.
  - Strategic Communications
    The Department of Strategic Communications works to tell the story of UNMC's impact on Nebraska and the world.
- - Media & Social
    Need a source for a deadline story? Seeking b-roll or photographs of our newsmakers? Want to connect on social? Our team can help.
  - News Releases
    University of Nebraska news releases
  - Press Kits
    Our press kits provide a single stop for media seeking digital assets related to major events at UNMC.
  - In the news
    University of Nebraska Medical Center In The News
- - Calendar
    Search our calendar for virtual and in-person UNMC events.
  - Events Center
    Planning a wedding or a conference? Host your next event at the Dr. Stanley M. and Dorothy Truhlsen Campus Events Center.
  - Community Engagement
    As the only public academic health science center in the state, so we embrace the responsibility to reach out across Nebraska and beyond.

— Newsroom — New faculty spotlight: Alexander Sawatzke, M.D.

New faculty spotlight: Alexander Sawatzke, M.D.

Written by John Keenan
Published Aug 15, 2019

Alexander Sawatzke, M.D.

Alexander Sawatzke, M.D., is a new faculty member at UNMC.

Name: Alexander Sawatzke M.D.
Hometown: Council Bluffs, Iowa
Title and department at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation

Research/professional interests: Foot and ankle trauma, hammertoes, bunions, flat feet, great toe arthritis, plantar fasciitis, sports injury of the foot and ankle, ankle instability, arthritis of the foot and ankle including ankle arthroplasty, foot and ankle deformity, Charcot deformity and lower extremity deformity.

How I fell in love with orthopaedics: I had spine surgery at a young age and quickly became interested in orthopaedics. I did well as a patient and experienced the improvement in quality of life first hand. My interest only grew as I progressed through undergraduate school. I found the basic sciences and biomechanics very intriguing. My decision to pursue orthopaedics as a profession was solidified while caring for patients with total joint replacements, sports injuries and musculoskeletal trauma. Patients had solvable problems and were very satisfied with their care. It is fulfilling to be able fix a patient’s problem and give them back their quality of life.

Degrees:

M.D., University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, 2009-2013
Residency, orthopedic surgery, Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners, Grand Rapids, Mich., 2013-2018
Fellowship, foot and ankle, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, 2018-2019

Memberships:

American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
American Medical Association
Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society
The American Orthopaedic Association

Three things you may not know about me:

I ran a sports camp for young kids in the metro area when back home from college.
I enjoy staying active — roadbiking, weightlifting, outdoor activities, and golf.
I look forward to ski trips out west.

2 comments

Irma Arens says:

August 15, 2019 at 9:55 pm

Congratulations, Dr. Sawatzke!
Michael J. Humpal, D.C. says:

August 15, 2019 at 10:20 pm

I’ve known Dr. Sawatzke for a long time. He is a caring, passionate and dedicated professional.

Comments are closed.

Work at UNMC

Get Directions

Apply