William Thorell, M.D., was awarded the Lyal G. Leibrock, M.D. Chair of Neurosurgery in a ceremony Friday night at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
A 1996 graduate of the UNMC College of Medicine with highest distinction, Dr. Thorell did his internship and residency in neurosurgery at UNMC and a two-year fellowship in endovascular surgical neuroradiology at the Cleveland Clinic. He joined the UNMC faculty in 2004 as assistant professor and was elevated to associate professor in 2011.
The endowed chair, which was created with $1 million in gifts to the University of Nebraska Foundation, honors Dr. Leibrock, a legendary neurosurgeon who served on the UNMC faculty from 1978-2005 and was neurosurgery section chief for 17 years. Dr. Leibrock died in 2005 at the age of 64.
During his career, Dr. Leibrock was instrumental in raising money – and donating his own money – to help establish several professorships, chairs and resident funds designed to strengthen the section of neurosurgery.
Working with the foundation, Les Hellbusch, M.D., Dr. Leibrock’s friend and neurosurgical colleague, started to raise funds for the endowed chair but didn’t get all the money raised before Dr. Leibrock’s death. Dr. Hellbusch promised his friend that he would complete the funding for the chair.
Much of the money raised for the endowed chair came from private practice neurosurgeons in Nebraska as well as former residents and fellows who trained in the UNMC neurosurgery program.
“As someone who trained under Dr. Leibrock, I’m truly honored,” Dr. Thorell said. “Lyal was so unique. There was no one like him. Our personas were alike. I see the world very similar to the way Lyal saw the world.”
Among Dr. Thorell’s numerous awards, he received the Kenneth M. Browne Neurosurgery Award (1996), the Excellence in Clinical Practice Award (2008), the Physician of Distinction Award (2008), the Early Career Achievement Award from the College of Medicine Alumni Association (2011), and the Special Professional Achievement Award from the College of Medicine in 2013. In addition, the Midlands Business Journal selected Dr. Thorell in its 2007 class of 40 Under 40.
The endowed chair was presented to Dr. Thorell by Dr. Leibrock’s wife, Judi. Other speakers included Bradley Britigan, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine; Ken Follett, M.D., Ph.D., professor and the Keegan/Voelte Jr. Endowed Chair of Neurosurgery; and Dr. Hellbusch, clinical professor of neurosurgery.
Background on endowed chairs
An endowed chair is among the most important gifts to higher education – a vital tool to ensure faculty excellence.
Established over five centuries ago at Oxford and Cambridge universities in England, endowed professorships and chairs have a long and rich history in recognizing excellence in academia.
The tradition continues today with endowed chairs bestowed upon those physician faculty with a track record of excellence in research, patient care, teaching and service.
Endowed faculty positions are essential to garner national attention and collegial respect inherent in educational excellence. Additionally, it allows the college to recruit and retain competitively for those of highest renown and greatest ability, building a thriving intellectual community.
As of 2013, UNMC had only 35 endowed faculty positions (chairs and professorships). An endowed chair requires a minimum of $1 million in funds, while an endowed professorship requires a minimum of $500,000 in funds.
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