Dr. Geelan-Hansen receives innovation grant
Katie Geelan-Hansen, MD, associate professor in UNMC’s Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, has received a $4,500 UNMC College of Medicine educational innovation grant to purchase mannequins for hands-on teaching and simulation.
The mannequins, which are expected on campus this fall, will be used for ENT-related procedures ranging from nose bleeds to tracheostomies. Dr. Geelan-Hansen serves as the department’s director of medical student education.
“I am hopeful that by adding early hands-on simulation, the students can enter into the clinical phases with more confidence in their understanding and ability to communicate with other team members and patients,” Dr. Geelan-Hansen said. “We are very grateful to the UNMC College of Medicine for their support.”
“This is one example of how philanthropy helps our academic soul,” said Jayme Dowdall, MD, associate professor in the UNMC Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. “This grant will have a huge return on investment.”
-Karen Burbach, UNMC strategic communications
Two doctoral students named Buffett scholars
The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska has selected three doctoral students for the 2025-26 Graduate Scholars program, including Colman Freel and Rebekah Rapoza from UNMC.
Since 2016, the Buffett Institute has invested more than $700,000 through its Graduate Scholars program to support the research of doctoral students from University of Nebraska campuses related to early childhood education and development.
The program awards one-year fellowships worth up to $25,000 to a maximum of four NU doctoral students every year.
Freel’s project is titled, “Cardiovascular Wellness from the Womb: Evaluating the Role of the Endothelial-to- Mesenchymal Transition and Therapeutic Potential of Maresin-1 in Vascular Remodeling in Infants of Diabetic Mothers.” His mentors are Ann Anderson Berry, MD, PhD, and Paras Kumar Mishra.
Rapoza’s project is titled, “Perinatal Health Disparities: Investigating the Influence of Maternal Socioeconomic Status on Placental Gene Regulation and Expression.” Her mentor is Dr. Anderson Berry.
The third graduate scholar is Ali Shull, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“Our three newest graduate scholars are a great example of tomorrow’s extraordinary, showcased today,” said Walter Gilliam, PhD, executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. “The fellowship is proud to support the incredible research efforts of students and faculty at the University of Nebraska through its multidisciplinary approach. We are excited about the potential of Colman, Rebekah and Ali’s promising research to enhance the lives of young children and families in Nebraska and beyond.”
-Greta Morris, Buffett Early Childhood Institute
‘Hearts and Hounds’ event is Sept. 13
The Nebraska Medicine heart and vascular team will be on site at Town and Country Animal Rescue in Sarpy County providing blood pressure screenings and sharing the benefits pets have on people’s hearts.
Stop by to say “hi” to the animals on Saturday, Sept. 13, from noon-4 p.m. and receive heart-healthy information from the team.
Town and Country Animal Rescue is located at 14110 S. 84th St.
-Kristine Hayward, Nebraska Medicine