2000s
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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
Omaha, Neb., was appointed director of the Health Practice and Medical Education Research Subplan in UNMC’s Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area program in June 2026. She also serves as an associate professor in the College of Nursing Omaha Division. In October 2026, she received UNeMed’s Faculty Entrepreneur Award and won the inaugural Back-of-the-Napkin Contest.
Sheri Rowland N’00, GS ‘17
Gretna, Neb., assumed the role of assistant dean of evaluation and continuous quality improvement in spring 2026. She is also an associate professor and serves in the college’s Lincoln Division.
Tammy Webster RST’00, GS’18
Gretna, Neb., became dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions on May 1, 2026, after serving as the college’s executive associate dean. She is the college’s second dean since the former School of Allied Health Professions became UNMC’s sixth college in 2015.
Deepak Madhavan M'01
Omaha, Neb., was appointed executive vice president of health care at Boys Town National Research Hospital in June 2026. He joined the hospital in 2019 to lead its pediatric neuroscience initiative and became chief medical officer in 2021.
Maria Michaelis M'01, Anesthesiology '05
Omaha, Neb., was promoted from associate professor to professor in the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology.
Renee Sullivan N’01, ‘04, GS’24
Omaha, Neb., retired from the UNMC College of Nursing on September 1, 2026, after seven years of service.
Bennington, Neb., received an Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award in fall 2026. This is the highest teaching honor given across the four-campus University of Nebraska system. She serves as a professor in the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology.
Kelli Klopfenstein N’02
Seward, Neb., was promoted to shareholder of locally owned HoriSun Hospice. She has been with the organization for a decade and has served as director of clinical services since 2019.
Kimberly Latacha GS’02
Omaha, Neb., received the Distinguished Foundational Science Educator Award from the UNMC College of Medicine in May 2026. She serves as an associate professor and vice chair for medical education in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Anatomy.
Daytha Lindburg PA’02
Lindsborg, Kan., celebrates 50 years as a physician assistant in 2026. One of the first graduates of Wichita State’s PA program, she worked in family practice before spending 21 years in OB-GYN in Salina, Kansas. She earned an MPAS with a specialization in OB-GYN from UNMC and now works part-time with the Saline and McPherson County health departments.
Nicole Shonka M’02, Internal Medicine/Hematology ‘09
Omaha, Neb., was appointed chief of the UNMC Division of Medical Oncology in August 2026 after serving in an interim capacity since November 2025.
Omaha, Neb., was named a 2026 Fellow of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography in recognition of her lifetime achievements and contributions to sonography. She serves as clinical education coordinator for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions.
Apex, N.C., is CEO of the nonprofit Weight Behind the Spear Foundation. He won three 2026 Telly Awards for work with Teen Kids News on addressing mental health issues and the dangers of social media in teens.
Sasha Shillcutt M'03, Anesthesiology '07, MS'16
Blair, Neb., received the 2026 INSPIRE Award from the American Medical Women’s Association in fall 2026. She was one of 31 physicians nationwide recognized for leadership, mentorship, and commitment to changing the culture of medicine.
Jennifer Cera N’04, GS’17
Omaha, Neb., retired from the UNMC College of Nursing on September 1, 2026, after 15 years of service.
Karen Fish PA’04, ‘05
Lowville, N.Y., joined Lewis County Orthopedics in September 2026.
Jacksonville, Ore., transitioned from inpatient gastroenterology to inpatient hematology-oncology in September 2025. She continues to work part-time for Oregon Health & Science University in the physician assistant program, working with students in their clinical year.
Sheritta Strong M’04, Psychiatry ’08
Omaha, Neb., received the Registered Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award from the UNMC Office of Student Life, Involvement and Development and the Ricki Otton Faculty Award from the UNMC SHARING Clinic in April 2026. She serves as an associate professor of psychiatry at the College of Medicine and assistant vice chancellor of campus engagement.
Trina Aguirre N’05, GS’10
Mitchell, Neb., retired from the UNMC College of Nursing on September 1, 2026, after 19 years of service.
Kristen Cook P'05
Omaha, Neb., was appointed associate dean for academic affairs at the UNMC College of Pharmacy in September 2026.
Amy Ford N’05, ‘14
Council Bluffs, Iowa, received the Virginia Tilden Leadership Development Award from the UNMC College of Nursing in May 2026, where she serves as an assistant professor in the Omaha Division.
Bellevue, Neb., serves as vice dean of the UNMC College of Public Health and will become assistant vice chancellor for the UNMC Office of Health Workforce Initiatives on Jan. 1, 2027. Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, established the office in 2025 to coordinate UNMC’s efforts to strengthen Nebraska’s health workforce and address critical health care needs statewide.
Elizabeth Mollard N’05, GS’16
Lincoln, Neb., was appointed assistant dean of research and the Dorothy Hodges Olson Chair in Nursing at the UNMC College of Nursing on Sept. 1, 2026. She also serves as an associate professor in the Lincoln Division.
Gaurav Sahay MS'05, GS'09
Portland, Ore., was appointed interim chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy in August 2026. He joined the college as an assistant professor in 2014, became an associate professor in 2020, and a professor in 2023. He also serves as co-director of the Center for Innovative Drug Delivery and Imaging. His lab develops nanotechnology platforms, particularly lipid nanoparticles for delivering mRNA therapeutics, to improve treatments for cystic fibrosis, retinal degeneration, and cancer.
Plattsmouth, Neb., earned a master’s degree in health care administration from Bellevue University in 2019. She joined Nebraska Medicine’s stroke neurology team in 2021 and became clinical program coordinator for the stroke program at Bellevue Medical Center in 2025.
Dusty Frasier PT’06
Republican City, Neb., accepted a position at Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, Kansas.
Amy Killeen D’06, Periodontics ‘11, MS‘11
Lincoln, Neb., became the assistant dean of postgraduate education for the UNMC College of Dentistry on July 1, 2026. She has been at UNMC since 2018 and previously served as associate professor and chair of surgical specialties. She also oversees the college’s oral mucosal immunity consortium.
Jim Sullivan, Anesthesiology ’06
Omaha, Neb., was named the inaugural Daniel W. Johnson, MD, Chair in Critical Care in the UNMC Department of Anesthesiology. The department’s first board-certified critical care physician; he helped establish its critical care anesthesiology division. Chair funds will support fellows and early-career faculty pursuing academic careers.
Nizar Wehbi PH’06
Piscataway, N.J., became the associate teaching professor and coordinator of the Rutgers University Master of Health Administration program in August 2026. He previously served as a senior health administration fellow.
Josh Havens P’07
Omaha, Neb., received UNeMed’s Most Promising New Invention Award in October 2026 for developing the Long-Acting Injectable Compass, a suite of software tools designed to help manage treatment processes for patients with HIV who receive long-acting injectables. He is an associate professor at the UNMC College of Pharmacy.
Abby Richardson N’07, Family Medicine ’22
Pleasanton, Neb., joined CHI Health’s family medicine clinic in Kearney as a physician in August 2026.
Cameron Sidak M’07, Family Medicine ’10
Marquette, Neb., joined Memorial Community Health as a family medicine physician in February 2026.
Christopher Smith M’08, Internal Medicine ‘11
Omaha, Neb., received the Clinical Educator Innovation Award from the UNMC College of Medicine in May 2026. He serves as an associate professor in the Division of Hospital Medicine
Elkhorn, Neb., was recognized in October 2026 by the UNMC Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research with a Distinguished Scientist Award. She serves as an associate professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology and as director of the Solid Tumor Cancer Immunology Section.
Karen Carlson, Obstetrics and Gynecology ‘09
Omaha, Neb., received the Distinguished Clinical Educator Award from the UNMC College of Medicine in May 2026. She serves as an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and vice chair of student and community education.
Jordan Colwell N’09
York, Neb., joined York General Hospital in July 2026 as the family medicine practice administrator.
Papillion, Neb., was promoted to associate professor with tenure in the UNMC College of Nursing’s Lincoln Division in July 2026. She is an adult-gerontologic acute care nurse practitioner and specializes in the management of pulmonary and sleep disorders.