College of Nursing retirements

Kathy Hanna, PhD

The UNMC College of Nursing thanks the following individuals for their mission-critical services.

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Dean Juliann Sebastian, PhD, was honored for her service during the College of Nursing's Annual Meeting in May. She will retire in early 2023.
  • Juliann Sebastian, PhD, dean of the UNMC College of Nursing since October 2011, has announced plans to retire in early 2023. A search committee, chaired by Kyle Meyer, PhD, dean of the College of Allied Health Professions, has been formed to begin a national search for the next nursing dean.
  • Peggy Pelish, PhD, associate professor and pediatric nurse practitioner in the UNMC College of Nursing, will retire May 13. In announcing Dr. Pelish’s retirement, Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, PhD, DLitt, said Carman DeMare, DNP, would continue as co-coordinator of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Dual program, and Kelly Betts, EdD, would take on the interim role as coordinator of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Program, as well as co-coordinating with Dr. DeMare.  
  • Kathy Hanna, PhD, professor, director of the PhD program and the Carol M. Wilson Endowed Chair in Nursing, will retire on May 13. Christine Eisenhauer, PhD, associate professor and advanced practice public health nurse at the Northern Division, will serve as interim director of the PhD program.
  • Kathy Hoffman, a nursing instructor on the Omaha campus, will retire May 13. She joined the UNMC faculty in 2011.
  • Cheryl Locket, a nursing instructor at the Northern Division in Norfolk, Nebraska, will retire May 13. She began her nursing career in 1994 and joined UNMC in January 2019.
  • Rolee Kelly, longtime student services coordinator, has announced plans to retire. Her last day is June 3. She joined UNMC in 2010.
  • Lynnette Stamler, PhD, DLitt, professor, associate dean for academic programs and the Christine Heide Sorensen Endowed Professor of Nursing, will retire on Sept. 2. She joined the college in 2014 as the associate dean for academic programs.
  • Rebecca Keating-Lefler, PhD, assistant professor and RN to BSN program coordinator, will retire on Sept. 30. She joined the UNMC College of Nursing faculty in January 2002.