The UNMC Department of Internal Medicine’s Office of Belonging and Community Engagement will present its annual Excellence in Advocacy Awards at the department’s grand rounds on Sept. 5.
The awards recognize Internal Medicine faculty members, house officers or trainees, and clinical or non-clinical staff who demonstrate an outstanding commitment and tireless efforts in advocating for patients, colleagues and the broader medical community. Awardees are also acknowledged for their dedication to improving healthcare policies and championing important causes.
This year also marks the inaugural recipient of the Debra J. Romberger Excellence in Advocacy Award, renamed to honor the former chair of the UNMC Department Internal Medicine. Debra Romberger, MD, a champion for advocacy in healthcare and in her community, died May 20, 2025. The award celebrates extraordinary leadership and unwavering dedication to advocacy within our local community, across the nation and around the world.
Nada Fadul, MD, professor of infectious diseases and UNMC College of Medicine associate dean for faculty affairs, will be recognized with this award.
“Dr. Fadul’s tireless efforts to advance equitable healthcare, influence policy and uplift both patients and colleagues have left an indelible mark on the medical profession,” said Jasmine Marcelin, MD, vice chair of the Internal Medicine Office of Belonging and Community Engagement. “Through her voice, vision and action, she has championed causes that resonate far beyond borders, inspiring meaningful change and setting a powerful example for others to follow.”
Congratulations to the 2025 Internal Medicine Advocacy Award recipients:
- Nada Fadul, MD, professor of infectious diseases – Debra J. Romberger Excellence in Advocacy Award
- Chydubem Nwaiwu, MD, internal medicine resident – House Officer Excellence in Advocacy Award
- Debra Wekesa, MD, nephrology fellow – House Officer Excellence in Advocacy Award
- Samantha Jones, MSW, Specialty Care Center patient access program manager – Staff Excellence in Advocacy Award
Nominations for the awards are submitted by department members, reviewed by a nomination commitee, and awardees are submitted to the vice chair and department chair for approval.
A panel presentation titled “Shared Ground: A Collective Journey Through Belonging and Community Engagement” will follow the awards presentation in the Durham Research Center Auditorium. UNMC faculty Natalie Crump, MBBS, and Jennifer Davis, MD, Shanda Ross, RN, from Nebraska Medicine, and Reverend Portia Cavitt from Omaha’s Clair Memorial United Methodist Church will share their experiences and insight. A Zoom option is also available for those unable to attend in person.
The UNMC Department of Internal Medicine Grand Rounds is open to the UNMC community and is held in the Durham Research Center I Auditorium 1002 or via Zoom. Click for more details.