The annual UNMC Circle of Distinction event was held on Oct. 26, recognizing 69 faculty members named to chairs and professorships, as well as the benefactors who support them.
See the event program with a list of faculty recognitions and benefactors.
UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, welcomed awardees to the event.
“A named chair, professorship or fellowship is one of the highest academic awards the university bestows on a faculty member,” Dr. Gold said. “These are endowed positions that are critical to the university’s ability to recruit and retain the highest-quality faculty. The greatest institutions have the best minds — the most creative researchers, the most engaged educators and the most caring clinicians. And as we recognize today, UNMC continues to successfully attract academic medicine’s leading stars.”
The chancellor also noted the creation of several new fellowships, chairs and professorships in the past year, including:
- Joseph C. Anderson, MD & Darlene Anderson Faculty Fellow of Radiology — Generously given by Darlene Anderson and Joseph Anderson, MD, and friends.
- Dr. George W. and Jane Boos Ferguson Faculty Fellowship for the UNMC College of Dentistry — Generously given by Margaret and Dr. Bobby Raynor, Gretchen Garcia, Mary LaFave and James LaFave, as well as Nancy and David Ferguson.
- Robert F. and Myrna L. Krohn Chair in Cancer Research — Generously given by Myrna and Robert Krohn.
- Markin Family Chair in Medical Informatics — Generously given by Rodney Markin, MD, and Mrs. Betsy Markin
- Jon S. Thompson, MD Professorship Fund — Generously given by Jon S. Thompson, MD, and the UNMC Science Research Fund.
- Dr. Timothy Wahl Presidential Chair of Diabetes Education, Care and Research — Generously given by the Diabetes Care Foundation.
- Dr. James L. and Patricia A. Wisecarver Professorship of Pathology and Microbiology Fund — Generously given by James Wisecarver, MD, PhD, and Patricia Wisecarver.
There are 132 of these donor-supported positions, up from 108 in 2018, a 22% increase.
Dr. Gold thanked the philanthropists in attendance.
“UNMC couldn’t be the best without the incredible benefactors who understand the importance of faculty support and who, through their generosity, have established endowed chairs, professorships and fellowships. This is how we build the future.”
Congrats to the faculty honored, and the donors who make these endowed positions possible.
Congratulations to the outstanding Department of Pediatrics faculty honored at this year’s Circle of Distinction event: Dr. Kari Simonsen, Dr. Ann Anderson Berry and Dr. Don Coulter. They are “leading stars’ indeed!