2020s
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BS – Bachelor of Science
CLS – Clinical Laboratory Science
CP – Clinical Perfusion
Cyto – Cytology
D – Dentistry
DH – Dental Hygiene
GC – Genetic Counseling
GS – Graduate Studies
HPTT – Health Professions Teaching and Technology
M – Medicine
MHA – Master of Health Administration
MITS – Medical Imaging & Therapeutic Sciences
MLS – Medical Laboratory Science
MN – Medical Nutrition
MS – Master of Science
MT – Medical Technology
N – Nursing
OT – Occupational Therapy
P – Pharmacy
PA – Physician Assistant
PH – Public Health
PT – Physical Therapy
R – Radiography
RST – Radiation Science Technology
RT – Radiologic Technology
Kristen Driver P’20
Kearney, Neb., joined UNMC in summer 2025, as a clinical assistant professor, pharmacy practice and science on the Kearney campus.
Ashley Hein M’20, Pathology ‘24
Omaha, Neb., joined UNMC in fall 2025, as an assistant professor in the department of pathology, microbiology, and immunology.
Sarah Johnson Cyto’20, PH‘24
Omaha, Neb., joined the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions as faculty in the diagnostic cytology program in 2025. In September of 2025, she was inducted into the UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators.
Brent Klinkhammer, Internal Medicine '20
Cookeville, Tenn., joined Tennessee Heart, affiliated with Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
Bellevue, Neb., received the Innovative Practices in Education Award from UNMC’s Interprofessional Academy of Educators in March 2025. She serves as director of the office of teaching and learning in the UNMC College of Public Health, and as an assistant professor of health promotion.
Amy Wallingford GS’20
Elkins, W. Va., serves as president of the Wallingford Foundation and joined the faculty of Davis & Elkins College in fall 2025 to help them expand their nursing programs.
Joselyn Giaffoglione P’21
Omaha, Neb., and her husband, Nick Giaffoglione P’21, welcomed their second child, Beckham Ryan, on May 31, 2025.
Hallie Knutson N’21
Norfolk, Neb., joined the UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division in Norfolk in September of 2025, as an instructor.
Nickolas Lamal PH’21
Honolulu, Hawaii, received the Early Career Achievement Award from the UNMC College of Public Health in the spring of 2025.
Than Htut Win PH’21
Lincoln, Neb., received the Empowerment Award from the UNMC College of Public Health Alumni Council in spring 2025. He is an administrative project associate at the Nebraska Association of Local Health Directors.
Albion, Neb., completed his rural family medicine residency and started full-time family medicine and obstetrics practice at the Boone County Health Center in Albion.
Elizabeth Gibson M’22, PH’22, Family Medicine ‘25
Omaha, Neb., joined UNMC in fall 2025, as an assistant professor in the department of family medicine and as a physician with Nebraska Medicine.
Emily Kahlandt M’22
Madison, Wisc., received the Laurence G. Crocker, MD, Award for Outstanding Generalist from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in June 2025.
Rachel Kunkle GS’22
Elkhorn, Neb., was inducted into the UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators in September 2025. She is an assistant professor in the College of Nursing Omaha Division.
Omaha, Neb., was selected, in fall 2025, as the inaugural recipient of the newly created Virginia and John F. Aita Professorship Integrating the Humanities and Arts in Health Promotion. She is an associate professor in the department of health promotion in the UNMC College of Public Health and serves as an affiliate faculty member of medical humanities at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Faruq Pradhan Transplant Hepatology ‘22
Omaha, Neb., was inducted into the UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators in September 2025.
April Vonderfecht M’22, Family Medicine ‘25
Deshler, Neb., joined Brodstone Healthcare in September 2025.
Baltimore, Md., is completing his final year of internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center/Johns Hopkins University. He plans to pursue general internal medicine and primary care, with continued interest in healthcare leadership and administration. This year, he published reflective pieces in in-House magazine and KevinMD, exploring the challenges and growth of residency and the importance of uplifting others through leadership.
Nikki Frederickson PH’23
Pillager, Minn., just celebrated one year as a Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) applied epidemiology fellow at the Minnesota Department of Health and is also newly engaged.
Amber Hawk HPTT’23
Omaha, Neb., is director of recruitment and admissions in the UNMC College of Pharmacy. She received the college’s 2024-2025 Staff Impact Award.
Halle Mallard GS’23
Omaha, Neb., was inducted into the UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators in September 2025. She is an assistant professor in the College of Allied Health Professions.
Wyatt Mazour PT’23
Petersburg, Neb., joined the Boone County Health Center in Albion, in the summer of 2025. He and his wife Dana Mazour N’21 have two daughters, Madilyn Mae and Summer Grace.
Joan Meese N’23
Clay Center, Neb., received her oncology certified nurse (OCN) certification in June 2025.
Leah Stade HPTT’23
Minden, Neb., received the Emerging Educator Award from UNMC’s Interprofessional Academy of Educators in March 2025. In October 2025, she was inducted into the University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame. She is an assistant professor in the Occupational Therapy (OT) program. She serves as the academic fieldwork coordinator and is the chairperson for the OT admissions committee.
Cierra Wegner GS’23
Omaha, Neb., was inducted into the UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators in September 2025 as an associate member. She is currently in her third year of medical school at UNMC.
Omaha, Neb., received an Outstanding Teacher Award from the UNMC Faculty Senate in April 2025. He serves as an assistant professor in the department of pharmacy practice and science in the College of Pharmacy.
Austin Burt PA’24
Holdrege, Neb., joined Family Medical Specialties in Holdrege, in March 2025.
Bethany Collins PA’24
Callaway, Neb., joined the Callaway Medical Clinic in February 2025. She and her fiancé, Andrew, recently purchased a home there and are planning their wedding for 2026.
Steven Donahue, Surgery ‘24
Rapid City, S.D., joined Monument Health’s general surgery group at Rapid City Hospital in fall 2025, and is the only colorectal surgeon in Rapid City.
McKenna Flint PA’24, MLS’18
Kearney, Neb., recently joined the Nebraska Medicine team at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center – Kearney as a hematology and oncology physician assistant.
Gretna, Neb., received the Varner Educator Laureate Award from UNMC’s Interprofessional Academy of Educators in March 2025. This is the academy’s highest award.
Betsy Knobbe HPTT’24
Elkhorn, Neb., was inducted into the UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators in September 2025. She is an instructor in the College of Allied Health Professions and serves as clinical coordinator for the radiography program's Columbus, Norfolk, and Omaha locations.
Noman Lateef, Cardiovascular Disease '24
Cookeville, Tenn., joined Tennessee Heart, affiliated with Cookeville Regional Medical Center.
La Vista, Neb., and Peyton Schneider GS’23, were married in July 2024. She began working at Streck in research and development in October 2024.
Kearney, Neb., joined the faculty in the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions on the Kearney campus, as an anatomy instructor in fall 2025.
Thomas Childers PT’25
Grand Island, Neb., joined GO Physical Therapy in Grand Island in summer 2025.
Ketav Desai, Hematopathology and Pathology ‘25
Omaha, Neb., joined UNMC as an assistant professor in the department of pathology, microbiology, and immunology in summer 2025.
Olivia Ochuba, Psychiatry ‘25
Glenwood, Iowa, joined UNMC as an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry in fall 2025.
Ryan Pavelka, Emergency Medicine ‘25
Kearney, Neb., joined Kearney Regional Medical Center in summer 2025, as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, on the emergency medicine team.
Bailey Peckham D’25
Benkelman, Neb., joined his family’s practice, Peckham Dental Clinic, as a fifth-generation dentist. His grandfather, Howard Peckham, D’66, founded the clinic in 1966. Bailey’s father, Doug Peckham, D’94, joined after graduating, and Howard’s son, David Peckham, D’97, is also a dentist. Dentistry runs deep in the family, as Howard’s grandfather and uncle were dentists as well.
Trent Roth D’25
Holton, Kan., joined Holton Dental in June 2025.
Smriti Sharma Oncology ‘25
Omaha, Neb., joined Nebraska Cancer Specialists as a medical oncologist and hematologist in September 2025.
Shannon Wheeler Otolaryngology ‘25
Omaha, Neb., joined the UNMC Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in fall 2025, upon completion of her residency. She is also an ear, nose, throat, and audiology physician with Nebraska Medicine.
Sheridan Widhelm OT’25
Mitchell, Neb., joined Gering Public Schools in August 2025 as a therapist for the district.