When your last name is Pope, it’s probably no surprise if people give you an extra measure of respect.
But for Sue Pope, the soon-to-retire icon in the College of Medicine, the respect she has gained in her 50 years at UNMC is almost like her name — reverential.
In her role as special assistant to the senior associate dean for academic affairs, Pope has been a mother figure/friend/confidant to thousands of medical students. She was a key player in all their milestone events — from their White Coat Ceremony to commencement and everything in between.
Perhaps one of her former colleagues said it best.
“I was fortunate to know Sue my entire career starting as a scared first-year medical student,” said Jeff Hill, MD, who retired in 2018 and served as associate dean for admissions and student affairs. “You don’t replace Sue Pope. You only hope to be half as competent, caring and compassionate. Her wisdom and institutional knowledge will never be duplicated. Sue is the consummate professional. She has shaped thousands of students to be great doctors. What a great person she is.”
Big shoes to fill
In her key role in the College of Medicine, Sue Pope wore many different hats. Her responsibilities included:
- Scheduling clinical rotations for junior and senior medical students;
- Maintaining the official college record for medical students;
- Staffing the Curriculum Committee, Scholastic Evaluation Committee and Clerkship Directors Committee for junior medical students;
- Developing the dean’s letter, which is the official recommendation letter for a student’s residency placement;
- Organizing the first-year medical student fall orientation, Match Day and the college’s honors convocation and hooding ceremonies;
- Assisting with the College of Medicine’s Scholarship Committee, which distributes more than $1 million in scholarships each year to new and returning students; and
- Serving as medical school liaison to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).
Dr. Hill’s successor — Wendy Grant, MD — summarizes Pope’s magical touch with students by saying: “She was meticulous in her attention to detail and made sure that every student had done what they needed to. She knew their names, their stories and their dreams. Their success was her success. This is what makes Sue great.”
One colleague called Pope “a living legend.” Another said, she is “the memory of the College of Medicine.”
Another marveled “at the ease which Sue handled her job,” while another administrator appreciated Pope’s “cut-to-the-chase approach” and her ability to provide a “straight forward, thoughtful and thorough” answer to any question he would pose to her.
The greatest impact of Pope’s retirement, said Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of UNMC College of Medicine, “will be for the future classes of medical students who will not have the benefit of her sage advice and support.”
Pope, who won the Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ Award in 2003, started at UNMC at age 19 and worked for eight deans during her remarkable career in the College of Medicine.
She enjoyed them all, but has a special place in her heart for the late Robert Waldman, MD, who served as dean from 1985-1991. “He was very open to talking to anyone at any time,” Pope said. “If his door was open, you could just walk in and talk to him.”
A native of Omaha, Pope especially appreciated her time in Conkling Hall (now the site of The Lied Transplant Center).
“I loved Conkling Hall. Everyone knew everybody,” she said. “It was like a family. Every year we had a Christmas party. You had to work there to appreciate how great it was. I had people come up to me and say, ‘You guys really have a good time.'”
A notorious early riser, Pope is typically at her desk between 5:30 and 6 a.m. and leaves between 2:30 and 3 p.m.
In retirement, she joked, “I may sleep for a week.”
Pope has been a huge NASCAR fan for many years. One group of medical students was so appreciative of all Pope did for them that they even bought her tickets to a NASCAR race in Kansas City.
In 2001, Pope was tested when her all-time favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt, was killed in a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500. She weathered the tragedy and continued her passion for the sport by adopting Jeff Gordon and now Kevin Harvick as her favorite drivers.
Earlier this year, Pope received the College of Medicine’s Honorary Alumnus Award. To show his appreciation, one student sent her a dozen roses.
“He thought I went above and beyond the job, but I see it as all in a day’s work,” Pope said. “It’s gratifying when they graduate to know that maybe, in some small way, I contributed to that. I was humbled and honored, to say the least.”
And for all you’ve done, Sue, so are we. Enjoy the next chapter.
NOTE: If you would like to wish Sue Pope well on her retirement, please feel free to share your comment below.
Sue, You know how I have cherished 29 years working with you on photographing all the M4's for the Class Composites and ERAS photos for UNMC COM. You have always been an inspiration to me over the years, as well as a dearly cherished friend. So blessed with the privilege of having your support in my contribution to UNMC. Anyone who has had dealings with "THE POPE" will always remember how much she impacted their lives in such a positive way. So happy for you and now your time to do the things you always may not have had the time to do. Thank you for all you have done for me and so many countless others, by just your being you! Happy Retirement! Kim @ Kim Photography -Smile On my friend!
Best wishes Sue! Your impact on so many lives over the past 50 years is a wonderful legacy.
Sue,
For all that you have done for scores of students across five decades, no amount of gratitude will suffice. The success stories of thousands of medical students whose lives you have touched and influenced is impressive and will never be forgotten by them and us. It was always a pleasure interacting with you and I could easily grasp why the students admired you so much. While you may leave, your name, legacy will be left behind and intact for generations to come. Thank you for everything you have done so effortlessly and enjoy retirement!
Chandra Are
A living legend indeed. Thank you for living the UNMC mission Sue
Sue,
I thought you were the Dean! You were certainly the "glue". Thank you and good luck in your retirement. Ron Hollins, '83.
Sue has been a heart and soul of UNMC.
I agree with this statement completely,
"Pope has been a mother figure/friend/confidant to thousands of medical students"
We will greatly miss her.
Sue, congrats on your retirement. Enjoy, have fun, stay safe.
I can't imagine UNMC without you, Sue! Have an amazing retirement.
Sue Pope is always kind, caring and competent. Thank you for your great work over your career. UNMC has benefited from your great work You will not be replaced. Best wishes for your deserved retirement
Sue – I am so happy for you!! Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Enjoy.
Few people understand the scope of Sue's responsibilities over these 50 years, which she performed with professionalism, competency, and importantly, cordiality. When we worked together on committee, she was a gem to work with, knew the answer to any question, and went above and beyond to help make sure everything was done well and correctly. To whomever she interacted with, you knew you she was there to help with a smile. Sue, I'm so glad to have been able to work with you. We all can learn from your kindness.
Congratulations on your retirement Sue! Best wishes to you
Sue, it's been a pleasure to work with you, particularly on Match Day! I will miss you! I wish you the best in your retirement.
Doc Pope – Thanks you for all your help and support.
Enjoy your retirement.
Congratulations Sue! Welcome to the ranks of the (young) retired. Thanks for all you have done.
Carl Gumbiner
What can I say? Sue and I worked together for more years than either of us probably remember. She was always a fountain of knowledge about how to address challenging situations on clerkships. She also could remember every last thing that had happened over the decades. It was so helpful to have that kind of input so you knew what land minds to prepare for when undertaking a similar – yet different – initiative. Her institutional memory has been a godsend to all who encountered her – students, staff, faculty. UNMC is losing a treasure. Congratulations on 50+ years, Sue…..and even more so on retirement!
Thanks, Sue! Best wishes in this next phase.
We've worked together 28 years, we had a lot of laughs, tears, memories and the best friendship a person could ask for. When I go to the doctor, it doesn't matter which one, and they know I work here, they ask me if I know you. Some share fond memories of you, which is a testament to you and the many lives you have touched. You are going to be missed, and NO one can/will replace your knowledge or compassion. I love you my friend.
Sue, you have been a great resource for me over the almost 28 years I've been at UNMC. Reading all of the wonderful comments about you says it all! You are the poster girl for how someone with experience and longevity can enhance a working environment! My fondest memories of you, though, are personal ones. Being able to vent to you, discuss personal matters, tell funny stories, and just spend some time with you, had a very good impact on me and I still giggle about some of those times. I hope you are as diligent at retirement as you have been at being everyone's everything! Now it's all about you and enjoying whatever you want!
I doubt that any other name or person is as well recognized in this institution. Thanks for all that you have done for generations of medical students, faculty and departments, Sue. You are irreplaceable.
Congratulations, Sue! If you put in as much effort into retirement as you have working for UNMC, it is sure to be a success!
Sue, working with you has been so amazing – and I hope you know how much I appreciate all you have done to make MY job easier! Your work ethic is iconic, your dedication to your students is exemplary and you do it all with a sense of humor and a positive outlook. I will miss you so very much, but I wish you the very best in life and retirement. The COM will not be the same without you!
Sue, it was such a pleasure interacting with you during my time at the College of Medicine (Class of 1988). I always think of you fondly when I reminisce about my medical school days. We all owe you a debt of gratitude and I wish for you a long, healthy, well-deserved, and enjoyable retirement.
Sue, you were so helpful to me in my early years at UNMC…that assistance has been much appreciated! Many thanks for your constant support to my efforts to promote and develop education abroad.
Sue – congratulations and thanks kindly for your service. Your smiling face gave me great joy throughout the years! Enjoy retirement!
I graduated in 1978 and my memories are somewhat dimmed, however, I do remember you fondly. Enjoy the well earned retirement.
All of this. Absolutely. I’m so honored to say that although I worked with you for a relatively short time during your amazing career at UNMC, I gained a wonderful friend. I have immeasurable respect for your dedication. Enjoy retirement, Sue. Thank you for being such an inspiration.
Sue, just wanted to add my congratulations and say what a joy it's been working with you over the years. You had an answer for every question! All the best in retirement!!
Sue – I am so happy for you! You deserve to sleep the first week or two! It was amazing to be able to work with you over the 12 years I have been here. Your dedication and hard work to UNMC has never gone unnoticed. Thank you for all you have done for the students.