Last month, my InterCOM message was entitled “Celebrating and mourning recent transitions.” This month’s message could be viewed perhaps as Part II.
Last month, Dr. William Thorell became the chair of our department of neurosurgery upon the departure of Dr. Aviva Absoch. Dr. Thorell is well known and highly regarded from his many years at UNMC, and we welcome him as the new chair and thank him for taking on this new position.
On Aug. 1, two individuals without previous ties to UNMC began their tenures as chairs of two of our other clinical departments. Dr. Sarosh Rana is the new chair of OB/GYN, coming to UNMC from the University of Chicago, and Dr. Ryan Lee is the new chair of radiology, arriving after a long career in Philadelphia at Thomas Jefferson. They are both highly accomplished academic physicians and leaders who will continue to build on the past successes of their predecessors. Please join me in welcoming them to UNMC.
Drs. Rana and Lee both take over from individuals who led these departments for decades. Dr. Craig Walker stepped down as chair of radiology in January, 2024, and Dr. Carl Smith steps down as chair with the arrival of Dr. Rana. In addition to his responsibilities as chair, Dr. Smith also had several leadership roles in the faculty clinical practice. At this time of transition, it is important to acknowledge all that they accomplished during their tenures and thank them for their dedication to UNMC.
In addition, thank you to Dr. Matt DeVries for his service as interim chair of radiology for the past year and a half. He did an excellent job in leading the department in challenging times.
I also want to acknowledge and thank Dr. Chris Maloney for his many years of service as a member of the faculty of the department of pediatrics and as executive vice president, chief clinical officer and physician-in-chief for Children’s Nebraska. Dr. Maloney retired at the end of June. He made numerous contributions to pediatric care and research during his 10 years in Omaha. We wish him the best in the next phase of his life.
As we move into August, it will soon be time to welcome the class of 2029. This will be the largest entering class in many years, with the current number projected to be in the range of 145. We are looking forward to their arrival and the White Coat ceremony that kicks off the start of their first year, which will be at the Orpheum Theater on Aug. 22.
Simultaneously, the beginning of the admissions process for the incoming students for next year has begun. This will include the inaugural class at the regional campus in Kearney – truly a historic time in the medical school’s history. Once again, thanks to the many individuals involved in the admissions process. It is an enormous amount of work that is essential to the future of the college.
I will close on a more somber note, recognizing the recent passing of Dr. Phil Smith, a legendary infectious disease physician who envisioned, implemented and led the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit until his retirement from the faculty. Dr. Smith was the lead provider of care while also directing the team treating Ebola patients at UNMC in 2014. In addition, he served as the founding director of the infectious disease division within the department of internal medicine, and he was instrumental in the growth of the infectious disease program at UNMC, as well as being a valued colleague and mentor to faculty. He will be greatly missed.