1980s
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D – Dentistry
M – Medicine
N – Nursing
P – Pharmacy
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.
Bremerton, Wash., is nearly retired, working only two to three days per month in the operating room. He is enjoying a work-life balance and traveling with Susan, often in their Airstream trailer in the Mountain West.
Fort Calhoun, Neb., officially retired from the UNMC College of Pharmacy with professor emeritus status on Jan. 3, 2026.
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.
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 and the past president of the Academy of Laser Dentistry. He holds credentials as a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, and Mastership in the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
Beth Lau M’86, Anesthesiology ’90
Walton, Neb., retired a year ago and enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren, ages 1 and 2. She serves as president of the Friendship Home Board of Directors and is 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.
La Vista, Neb., retired from Nebraska Medicine at the end of 2025, after a 39-year career spanning multiple leadership positions, most recently as vice president of operations at Bellevue Medical Center and nurse executive. She is looking forward to road trips with her husband of 31 years, Dave, and raising Jake and Ellie, her beloved Sheepadoodle puppies.
Ronald Prauner M’89
Franklin, Tenn., celebrated five years of work as a certified financial planner in November 2025. This is a second career that he pursued after 31 years of practicing pediatric hematology-oncology and general pediatrics.