Dr. Shillcutt receives Walling Yanney Professorship

Sasha Shillcutt, MD, vice chair of strategy in the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology, has been awarded the Dr. Gail Walling Yanney Endowed Professorship in Anesthesiology. The appointment was announced by the College of Medicine.

Business and community leader Mike Yanney of Omaha established the professorship with a gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation in honor of his wife’s many contributions to the anesthetic practice in Omaha and at UNMC. The professorship was first awarded in 2018.

Steven Lisco, MD, chair of the anesthesia department, said that in awarding the professorship to Dr. Shillcutt, she has been charged with assisting the department in its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

"We know that inclusion and achieving our mission go hand-in-hand," Dr. Lisco said. "Teams that are diverse and equitable, and cultures that foster healthy communication and wellness, are successful. Dr. Shillcutt has long been an academic leader in this field, with more than 250 national and international invited presentations and has published more than 60 manuscripts and book chapters. She is undoubtedly the right person to take these departmental initiatives to the next level."

Dr. Shillcutt is nationally known for her expertise in cardiac anesthesia as a leading clinician, researcher, educator and a tireless advocate for DEI. Through her private company, she advocates for women leaders and has created a global network of gender-equity promoters.

"It’s a huge honor to be appointed to an endowed professorship, let alone one that honors the legacy of Dr. Walling Yanney," Dr. Shillcutt said. "She was a trailblazer for women in anesthesiology and our institution. She has been a woman who supports women leaders in our community and state for multiple decades. She has been a mentor and friend to me, and I have quite a legacy to live up to."

In 2019, Dr. Shillcutt was appointed by Dr. Lisco to lead the development of the department’s five-year strategic plan. A principal component of the plan was to build a culture of wellness, one that thrives with a diverse workforce. Dr. Shillcutt aims to use funds from holding the professorship to identify blind spots and create strategic and meaningful change. She said she believes the path to a truly inclusive environment is built using multifaceted tactics by anyone with a vision for a more inclusive environment.

"We are aiming to retain and attract the best and brightest in patient care, research and education," Dr. Shillcutt said. "In order to achieve that we must be diverse, and in order to be diverse, we must be inclusive."

Recipients of the Dr. Gail Walling Yanney Endowed Professorship in Anesthesiology hold the award for a five-year appointment with the possibility for renewal. They receive an annual stipend from the endowment to support their salary, research and academic activities.