1980s
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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
Cynthia Leigh M’80
Neenah, Wis., retired from practice and began volunteering with the Maven Project, providing consultation services to the providers at federally qualified health centers and clinics, caring for underserved populations. Since retiring, she has become a master gardener, spends time with her grandchildren, practices the harp, and just keeps swimming.
Jim Linder M’80
Omaha, Neb., transitioned to part-time board advisor and professor in the department of pathology, microbiology and immunology at UNMC in July 2025, after serving as CEO of Nebraska Medicine for the last seven years. He and his wife Karen Linder engage entrepreneurs through Linseed Capital, LLC, and transform manufacturing with their company Tethon 3D.
Salem, Ore., released his fifth novel, Sixty Seconds, in July 2025. After retiring in 2004 from a career in neonatology, he returned to writing and will release The Bank House in 2027.
Friend, Neb., retired in 2020.
Shingle Springs, Calif., retired after 14 years of teaching, as professor emeritus from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 2020. This was after 26 years of private practice in Wyoming. He remarried in 2024 and enjoys living in Northern California.
Joyce Black N’81, GS’99
Waterloo, Neb., received the inaugural National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) Joyce Black Award in February 2025. This prestigious new award, named in her honor, celebrates her pivotal contributions to expanding NPIAP’s mission and advancing pressure injury awareness. In fall 2025, she received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UNMC College of Nursing Alumni Council.
Sue Nuss N’82, GS’07
Omaha, Neb., was appointed assistant dean of the UNMC College of Nursing Omaha Division in July 2025. She began her career at Nebraska Medicine in 1996 and advanced to chief nursing officer in 2015 and held the position of vice president of operations at Nebraska Medicine in Bellevue. She also served as associate dean for Nebraska Medicine Nursing at UNMC (2017–2024) and currently holds dual roles in clinical workforce development at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. She serves on multiple advisory boards and committees, including the Visiting Nurses Association Board.
Shrewsbury, Mass., received an honorary award from the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program in May 2025. She was recognized for significant and longitudinal contributions to the ELAM curriculum, and the positive impact these contributions have had on the program, fellows, and their institutions. She is now in her "encore career" in executive leadership coaching and organizational consulting.
Ed Kusek D’84
Sioux Falls, S.D., is still working after 41 years and is the immediate past president of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) and the past president of the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD). He holds credentials as a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology (DABOI), a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (FAAID), Master of the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD), and Mastership in Academy of Laser Dentistry (MALD).
Virginia Aita GS’85
Omaha, Neb., received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UNMC Graduate Studies Alumni Council in fall 2025.
Verlin Janzen M’85, MT’78
Kimberling City, Mo., retired in November 2022 and moved to southern Missouri.
Phoenix, Ariz., sold his practice and retired in July 2023.
Beth Lau M’86, Anesthesiology ‘90
Walton, Neb., retired a year ago and is enjoying spending time with her two grandchildren ages one and two. She serves as president of the Friendship Home Board of Directors and is the past president of the Bryan College of Health Science Board.
Kathy Morse M’86
Highlands Ranch, Colo., and her husband recently moved from their acreage outside Denver to an independent living community, where they are excited to begin the next phase of their lives and embrace new opportunities.
Syracuse, Utah, sold his practice, and in retirement, is traveling more and enjoying spending time with his 19 grandchildren.
Rolling Hills Estate, Calif., retired from primary care in January 2024, but is still fulfilling some administrative and committee duties, as well as two half days of transitional care. He is blessed to be able to enjoy traveling, tennis, and golf with his wife of 10 years.
Franklin, Tenn., is celebrating five years of working as a certified financial planner, as of November 2025. This is a second career that he pursued after 31 years of practicing pediatric hematology-oncology and general pediatrics.