Dr. Soester selected as distinguished fellow
UNMC's Melissa Soester, PhD, was selected as a distinguished fellow from the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA). Dr. Soester is an assistant professor in the department of medical sciences, division of physician assistant education in the College of Allied Health Professions.
The distinguished fellow program was established by AAPA in 2007 to recognize the exceptional contributions of PAs to the profession through professional achievement, leadership, professional interaction, learning and community service.
After acceptance into the program, distinguished fellows continue to contribute to the work of AAPA and the PA profession. This distinction is earned by less than 2% of the entire AAPA membership.
Glenn to serve on two search committees
Emily Glenn, who assumes the role of interim dean of the McGoogan Health Sciences Library on Sept. 2, will join existing search committees for the UNMC College of Nursing and the UNMC College of Dentistry.
Glenn will fill the seats left open by Emily McElroy, dean of the McGoogan Health Sciences Library, who will leave UNMC soon to become associate dean of research and health sciences at the University of Florida’s George A. Smathers Libraries.
The College of Nursing search committee, chaired by Kyle Meyer, PhD, dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions, is charged with finding a successor to Dean Juliann Sebastian, PhD, who plans to retire in early 2023.
The College of Dentistry search committee, chaired by Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, is seeking a successor to Dean Janet Guthmiller, DDS, PhD, who will become dean of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry this fall. Rowen Zetterman, MD, will serve as interim dean.
Financial Wellness Wednesday series
Beginning Aug. 24, the UNMC Benefits Office will be holding a Financial Wellness Wednesday series.
The series will kick off on Wednesday, Aug. 24th, with Fidelity’s Jason Cronick speaking about the investment changes under the University retirement plans.
On Aug. 31, Ellick Jones Law firm will do a presentation on wills, living wills and trusts. The series will end on Sept. 7 with Cronick discussing how to create a budget.
Each presentation will be held from noon to 1 pm via Zoom. Register online through UNMC Employee Services and choose Financial Wellness Wednesdays.
With questions, call the Benefits Office at (402) 559-4340 or email the Benefits Office.
5,000 hygiene kits to be delivered
A couple dozen med center colleagues volunteered with the United Way of the Midlands on Aug. 10 as it prepared 5,000 hygiene kits to be delivered to students in the community for the start of the school year.
This is the second time that the Emerging Professionals Program has put out a call for volunteers and participated in the Shine Bright initiative. A similar volunteer opportunity was held in March.
With the help of school counselors, nurses and social workers, the hygiene kits will be distributed to local kindergarten, middle school and high school students. The value of the kits is approximately $40, and they contain items including toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, hair care, laundry detergent and more. The goal of the kits is to increase confidence and allow kids to focus on academics.