UNMC retirements
In June, UNMC Human Resources announced 12 retirements and one upcoming retirement in May, June and July.
Recent retirees included James Eudy, PhD, genetics, cell biology and anatomy in the UNMC College of Medicine and inaugural director of the UNMC Genomics Core Facility, a position he held for 24 years. Dr. Eudy retired May 3, after starting at UNMC on Aug. 28, 1989.
Other recent retirees include:
- Laura Bilek, PhD, physical therapy, UNMC College of Allied Health Professions, retired June 2 (start date June 1, 1992)
- Patricia O’Neil, administration, UNMC College of Allied Health Professions, retired June 3 (start date Feb 27, 2006)
- Matthew McCoy, neurological sciences, UNMC College of Medicine, retired June 6 (start date Feb. 23, 2009)
- Lianne Connelly, PhD, UNMC College of Nursing-Northern Division, retired June 3 (start date June 27, 2011)
- Sherrilyn Peterson, student services, UNMC College of Nursing, retired June 4 (start date July 27, 2020)
- Wayne Weber, operations, UNMC Business and Finance, retired May 9 (start date Feb. 28, 2022)
Upcoming retirements include Lani Zimmerman, PhD, a professor in the UNMC College of Nursing-Lincoln Division and former director of the Mentored Scholars Program, who will retire Aug. 1. She will complete a 50-year, one-month career at UNMC.
Other announced retirements include:
- Kevin Gamble, printing services, UNMC Business and Finance, will retire on Sept. 5 (start date March 15, 1980)
- Marvin Stancil, MD, obstetrics/gynecology, UNMC College of Medicine, will retire July 1 (start date March 1, 1997)
- Audrey Nelson, PhD, UNMC College of Nursing-Omaha Division, will retire July 1 (start date Jan. 1, 1998)
- Carol Gilbert, health promotion, UNMC College of Public Health, will retire July 1 (start date Jan. 14, 2004)
-John Keenan, UNMC strategic communications
Resident’s research ranks second in national ACS competition
Anna White, MD, a UNMC general surgery resident, earned second place in the national American College of Surgeons’ Advocacy and Health Policy Abstract Competition for her research presentation documenting effects on trauma patients after the repeal of Nebraska’s universal motorcycle helmet law.
Her presentation was titled, “The Road Ahead: Examining Trauma Outcomes Post Helmet Law Repeal in Nebraska.” The award was part of the ACS Leadership & Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., in April.
Dr. White researched the public health consequences of the motorcycle helmet law repeal on Jan. 1, 2024.
Analyzing statewide trauma data, Dr. White and her coauthors found that since the repeal, helmet use has dropped and has been associated with an increase in mortality, traumatic brain injury and health care costs among motorcycle crash victims.
Dr. White met with Nebraska congressional representatives in Washington, D.C., to discuss her research.
Reynold Henry, MD, an assistant professor of acute care surgery at UNMC who worked with Dr. White on the research, said the research underscores the importance of data-driven advocacy in trauma care and injury prevention, which is a core mission of the department of surgery.
Earth Month impact
In honor of Earth Month, the med center organized events and activities during April.
The annual personal electronic waste and e-waste shredding event diverted many materials from the landfill:
- 6,111 lbs of electronic waste
- 8,642 lbs of personal documents
- 113 pairs of glasses
- 341 lbs of assorted media (VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs and floppy disks)
- 11 lbs of pop tabs
- 310 lbs of alkaline batteries
- 46 lbs of rechargeable/button batteries
- 31 bikes donated
Participants also donated $951 and 250 food items to the Clarkson College Cupboard and Closet.
On April 25, members of the med center community gathered for an Arbor Day celebration to plant an eastern redbud tree, named Rooty. It is located in the greenspace north of the Sorrell Center. Attendees enjoyed games, donuts and coffee, while Graham Herbst, a community forestry expert for the Nebraska Forest Service, shared insights into the benefits of trees for community resilience and health.
-Verdis Group