Gold U winner Schneider praised for her leadership

Erin Schneider

Praised for her leadership, professionalism and knowledge of the Nebraska Legislature, Erin Schneider, associate director of external relations for the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska, is the recipient of the February Gold U award.

“I was very surprised,” Schneider said. “I know it’s not handed out very often. It’s a big deal to me because I’ve worked at the med center for almost 12 years. It’s always nice to be recognized for your work.”

Prior to the 2022 legislative session, Schneider fostered relationships with senators, community partners and other key stakeholders. In addition, her work on a key interim study allowed her to convey the behavioral health workforce needs of the state, which led to the passing of LB1068.

That bill expanded BHECN’s statute to increase workforce development programming.

This has allowed BHECN to expand its programming and reach in major ways.

LB1068 doubled BHECN’s operating budget, Schneider said, and allows BHECN to add three new satellite locations. As a result, BHECN will have a presence in all six of the state’s behavioral health regions and also will be able to expand training programs.

“We’re basically able to double our programming and double our workforce development efforts,” Schneider said. “With COVID and the increase in need for mental health services, it’s going to make a difference.”

Separately, the Nebraska Legislature designated BHECN to administer $25.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding across Nebraska. Schneider implemented a competitive application process to award the funds – from creating applications for each award category to establishing review structures to building the online platform for submissions.

She relied on her previous experience with federal grants at the UNMC Department of Pediatrics to guide her work at BHECN, and she said she didn’t do any of it alone; her team was instrumental in making this happen, she said.

Kati Cordts, PhD, BHECN’s associate director of operations, said Schneider deserves the recognition.

“Her work undoubtedly will benefit the lives of thousands of Nebraskans who are providing and/or seeking behavioral health care across the state, as well as eager students looking to enter the healing profession of behavioral health,” Dr. Cordts said. “Needless to say, this starts a new chapter in BHECN’s history.”

The Gold U is awarded six times a year to employees who consistently deliver outstanding performance and service to UNMC. Recipients of the Gold U are honored at a breakfast with the chancellor, receive a Gold U pin, a $100 cash award, an invitation to the Annual Service Award Dinner, recognition at a Board of Regents meeting that includes a Board of Regents “Kudos” certificate, and a career development award of up to $2,500.

16 comments

  1. Nikki Carritt says:

    Congratulations, Erin! A well deserved honor for your incredible work.

  2. Bill O'Neill says:

    Congratulations, Erin! So well-deserved!

  3. Catherine Mello says:

    Congratulations, Erin! So well-deserved!

  4. Mark Law says:

    Congratulations, Erin!

  5. Matt Sandbulte says:

    Congratulations Erin – for putting your great skills to use on such important causes for the health of the whole Nebraska community.

  6. Carol Gilbert says:

    This is Erin, all right. I would have expected nothing less. Thanks for helping Nebraskans, Erin!

  7. Brenda Nickol says:

    Congratulations Erin–so well deserved!

  8. Janet Rogers says:

    Congratulations Erin!

  9. Karen Burbach says:

    Congrats, Erin – well deserved recognition for you and the entire BHECN team!

  10. Kara Foster says:

    Congratulations, Erin! So grateful for your leadership!

  11. Susan Kraft Mann says:

    Congratulations, Erin! It’s wonderful to see you recognized for all of your hard work and dedication to BHECN, UNMC and Nebraska.

  12. Therese Mathews says:

    Congratulation Erin – very well deserved. We are lucky to have you at BHECN!! – Terri

  13. Evelyn Grixby says:

    Congratulations to Erin and BCHEN!

  14. Kristin Morrissey says:

    Well deserved, Erin!

  15. Peggy Moore says:

    Congratulations Erin, thank you for your leadership!

  16. Carmen Sirizzotti says:

    Congratulations! Well deserved.

Comments are closed.