The University of Nebraska Medical Center will honor three Nebraskans for their significant contributions during its virtual commencement ceremonies this week.
Scottsbluff, Neb., native and UNMC alumnus Doyt Conn, M.D., will receive the Honorary Doctorate of Science Degree. The award recognizes high distinction in the use of his skills in medicine, science and teaching, to serve his fellow man.
Dr. Conn, a professor emeritus at Emory University School of Medicine, retired after 25 years at the Mayo Clinic, then served three years as senior vice president for medical affairs for the National Arthritis Foundation, followed by a full-time appointment as clinician, scientist and educator at the Emory University School of Medicine, and Grady Health Systems in Atlanta, which is the fifth-largest public hospital in the U.S.
The former military surgeon at the U.S. Public Health Service also was involved providing medical services during humanitarian crises while serving as medical director of AmeriCares in the 1990s. He helped establish medical services in Kenya for Somali refugees and helped set up a hospital in Rwanda to serve survivors of the Rwandan genocide. Dr. Conn graduated from Gering High School, Nebraska Wesleyan University and is a UNMC alumnus.
Omaha, Neb., native Anne Hubbard, M.D., a physician, philanthropist and UNMC alumnus, will receive the UNMC Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Award for her longtime commitment to the university, and to improving health.
Dr. Hubbard, now retired from a career in academic and clinical medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, also was a faculty member at UNMC, and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha. Wrote a nominator: "(Dr. Hubbard) is dedicated to the education and health of children, underserved communities and understanding the importance of the environment and natural resources to human health. She remains very well respected in her field of pediatric radiology and fetal and orthopedic imaging."
Through the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation, which honors her mother, Dr. Hubbard also has supported organizations that advance the education, research and patient care missions of UNMC. She serves on the boards of the St. Augustine Indian Mission in Winnebago, Neb., The Nature Conservancy of Nebraska, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, and the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Trustees.
Roger Reamer, of Willow City, N.D., chief executive officer for Memorial Health Care Systems in Seward, Neb., will receive the J.G. Elliott Award for outstanding contributions to medicine and health programs for the state of Nebraska and UNMC. He is recognized as a leader and advocate for health care administration, public health initiatives and health science education for rural communities.
Nominators say Reamer’s leadership and collaborative efforts have helped rural hospitals and health care organizations improve delivery of care and build effective alliances for long term sustainability, including recently with COVID-19 in the hospital setting and within the district health department.
Reamer has served for more than two decades as CEO of Memorial Health Care Systems. In addition, he has served on the American Hospital Association Board, Nebraska Hospital Association Board, State of Nebraska Board of Health and the Four Corners Public Health Department, as well as rural health and health education boards.
The award is given in memory of Jack Elliott, a former Scottsbluff resident, who served on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents for 20 years, until his death in 1974.
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Three to be honored during UNMC commencement
