2010s
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CP – Clinical Perfusion
D – Dentistry
GS – Graduate Studies
HPTT – Health Professions Teaching and Technology
M – Medicine
N – Nursing
P – Pharmacy
PH – Public Health
PT – Physical Therapy
R – Radiography
RST – Radiation Science Technology
RT – Radiologic Technology
Lindsey Ayles N’10
La Vista, Neb., will graduate with her Master of Science in Nursing, adult gerontology acute care, in spring 2026 from Clarkson College.
Kristen Day N’10
Grand Island, Neb., was inducted into the University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame in October 2025. She is among the top players in Loper women’s tennis history and is currently a CRNA with CHI Health St. Francis.
Matthew Lunning, Internal Medicine ’10
(From left are James Armitage, MD, Mark Rupp, MD, and Matthew Lunning, DO.)
Omaha, Neb., was named the inaugural recipient of the endowed James O. Armitage, MD, Chair in Hematological Malignancies at UNMC in December 2025. He serves as the interim chief of the division of hematology and as UNMC’s assistant vice chancellor of clinical research.
Ashley Newmyer PH’10
Crete, Neb., was appointed director of the Division of Public Health for the Department of Health and Human Services in January 2026, after serving in an interim capacity since May 2025.
Allyson Benzel PT’11
Sidney, Neb., was inducted into the Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Fame in September 2025, becoming the first female golfer to earn this honor.
Omaha, Neb., started a new position as an education researcher for the Interprofessional Academy of Educators at UNMC in fall 2025.
Scott Sanderson CP’12
Omaha, Neb., received the Abstract Fellowship Award during the American Society of extraCorporeal Technology International Conference in March 2025. In September 2025, he was inducted into the UNMC Interprofessional Academy of Educators. He is director of the clinical perfusion program in the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions, as well as an adjunct associate professor and staff perfusionist.
Tillar Kruse P’13
Scribner, Neb., and her husband, Matt, celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary and welcomed their sixth child, a daughter, Bridget, in October 2025.
Mathew Burton N’14, ’21, ’24
Gering, Neb., joined Regional West Physicians Clinic – Diabetes Care Center as a nurse practitioner in fall 2025.
Lincoln, Neb., recently announced his candidacy for the NU Board of Regents in District 1, which encompasses most of Lincoln. He is grateful for the training and opportunities that the university gave him and his wife, Dawn Hosein M’13.
Thanh Nguyen N’14, GS’20
Elkhorn, Neb., received a 2025 President’s Excellence Award, the University of Nebraska System’s highest honor. The Faculty Intellectual Property Innovation and Commercialization Award recognizes faculty who have developed and nurtured significant new intellectual property from concept to licensing/startup business. He is an assistant professor and research scientist in the department of emergency medicine at UNMC and an emergency medicine clinician for Nebraska Medicine.
Chad Schock RST ’14, GS’23
Grand Island, Neb., and his wife welcomed their second child, Ethan Gerard, on July 22, 2025.
Santa Monica, Calif., joined the Los Angeles Vision Institute as a partner and will be based in LA long term.
Megan Scheer N’15, ’25
Saint Libory, Neb., joined CHI Health Advanced Wound Care (St. Francis) in Grand Island, in January 2026.
Chance Unger PT’15
Lincoln, Neb., published a book this year called Stride for Stride: A Physical Therapist's Playbook for Runners. Akin to having a "PT in your pocket," the book addresses every component needed to apply concrete skills and knowledge that empower any runner at any skill level.
Kirkland, Wash., was appointed chief medical officer at Fairfax Behavioral Health in the greater Seattle area in January 2025. Fairfax is the largest private provider of psychiatric services in the state of Washington and includes three inpatient hospitals spanning 221 beds as well as several outpatient sites. He was also elected to the executive committee of the American Psychiatric Association’s Caucus on Climate Change and Mental Health. He is completing his service as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve with the 1835th Medical Detachment (Combat Operation Stress Control).
Jacob Zitterkopf D’15
Colorado Springs, Colo., received a Distinguished Young Alumni Award from Chadron State College in fall 2025. As an orthodontist and entrepreneur, he has built a distinguished career that bridges health care, technology, and innovation.
Ellie Brouillette R’16, RST’17, HPTT’22
Lincoln, Neb., joined UNMC’s radiation therapy program in the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions in fall 2025 as an assistant professor and clinical education coordinator.
Jacob Wardyn M’17
Cleveland, Ohio, graduated from his consultation liaison psychiatry fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in June 2025. He then began the role of director of consultation-liaison psychiatry at Cleveland Clinic Akron General. He also started the role of associate program director for the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Psychiatry Residency Program.
Tyler Chonis M’18
Coral Gables, Fla., was appointed associate program director for the HCA Florida Kendall Anesthesiology Residency Program. He serves as the interim chief of pediatric anesthesiology and has received the Kendall Faculty of the Year Award for the past two years.
Kelli Gandee N’18
Ogallala, Neb., joined the faculty at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, in fall 2025. For six years, she worked primarily in emergency departments across western Nebraska and eastern Colorado. Seeking a career better suited to her young family, she earned her Master of Science in Nursing in 2024 and transitioned to teaching.
Leah Jesse M’18
Omaha, Neb., joined UNMC in fall 2025 as an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and sees patients with Nebraska Medicine.
Nicholas Jesse M’18
Omaha, Neb., joined UNMC in December 2025 as an assistant professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology and as an OB-GYN physician with Nebraska Medicine.
Emma Kratochvil PH’19
Brookline, Mass., and her husband, Taylor Kratochvil GS’18, M’22, welcomed their first child, a daughter, Cecilia Jo, on Oct. 18, 2025.