Orthopaedic surgery names new leaders

Matthew Halanski, M.D.

The UNMC Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation has named Matthew Halanski, M.D., as chief of pediatrics, and Beau Konigsberg, M.D., as assistant dean of admissions.









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Beau Konigsberg, M.D.

Dr. Halanski brings 11 years of experience as a surgeon, including seven years as a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

He received his medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit (2001). He completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Wisconsin, Madison (2006) and a pediatric orthopaedic surgery fellowship at Starship Children’s Health in Auckland, New Zealand (2007).

Dr. Halanski’s interests include basic, translation and clinical research. Much of his basic science work has focused on the immature bone.

On the clinical side, Dr. Halanski’s research has focused on the care of children with neuromuscular conditions, particularly those with spinal muscular atrophy. He has studied the early treatment of scoliosis in these patients and is poised to publish several manuscripts on this subject.

Dr. Halanski has studied the art of cast application and removal extensively. He has continued to publish on this topic over the past decade and has several ongoing projects studying this subject.

As assistant dean of admissions, Dr. Konigsberg will travel to three Nebraska colleges — Chadron State College, Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska at Kearney — each year to oversee the selection of participants in the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) and the Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP).

RHOP is designed to encourage rural residents to pursue careers in health care fields. Students selected are guaranteed admission to UNMC provided they meet all stated requirements and complete their pre-professional studies at Chadron State College, Wayne State College or Peru State College.

KHOP is a cooperative program between the University of Nebraska at Kearney and UNMC. The purpose of the program is to recruit and educate students from rural Nebraska communities who are committed to returning to rural Nebraska to practice health care.

“I enjoy being involved with the med school and the enthusiasm that the applicants and students have for starting a career in medicine,” Dr. Konigsberg said.

In his new role, Dr. Konigsberg helps to organize and coordinate applicant interviews days. At these events, he presents a welcome address to students, explains the curriculum and leads interviews.