‘National treasure’ Shelly Schwedhelm ready to step away

The med center would not be what it is today without the collective work of countless people over its history. But there are a few whose impact was so widely felt, one could argue they have left an indelible mark on the organization.

Shelly Schwedhelm fits nicely into this category. In her 43-year career with Nebraska Medicine, and now with UNMC, she guided her teams through the merger of University and Clarkson hospitals, implemented innovative surgical techniques and information systems, consulted on the Hixson-Lied Center construction and partnered with the med center’s infectious disease experts to safely care for patients with Ebola Virus Disease.

Much of this was highlighted in her 40^th service anniversary feature article. In that article, James Lawler, MD, associate director for international programs and innovation at the Global Center for Health Security, described her as a national treasure.

Today, Schwedhelm works for UNMC as the associate director of the Global Center for Health Security, responsible for leading the center’s emergency operational response.

“Shelly Schwedhelm embodies what leadership is all about,” said Ken Bayles, PhD, vice chancellor for research at UNMC. “Her ‘can-do’ attitude and her ability to organize under high-pressure situations is second to none. Importantly, the respect she commands and her midwestern work ethic brings people together in times of need.

“She didn’t just lead our efforts here at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine during Ebola and COVID-19, she led the nation during these crises. I am proud to have been her colleague for these past several years, and even prouder to have her as my friend.”

After dedicating so much of her life to the success of Nebraska Medicine and UNMC, Schwedhelm is ready for more time with her children, her 10 grandchildren and her husband of 46 years, Kevin.

“Someone wisely told me that I need goals in retirement,” she said. “I understood perfectly what they meant. You can’t go from full-time to all free time overnight. So my goals are to invest in my health and have more quality time with my family.”

“I have a to-do list from the last four decades that could probably use some attention,” she said. “I want to see what it’s like to wake up without an alarm and to enjoy my morning coffee.”

The work she’s accomplished at the Global Center for Health Security indicates the time is right for her to step aside, she says.

“I’ve spent the past year building a team to cover my accountabilities, and they are certainly ready,” Schwedhelm said.

“Shelly’s career exemplifies what is possible and the profound impact a nurse can have on a global scale,” said Kelly Vaughn, chief nursing officer for Nebraska Medicine. “Her influence extends beyond clinical excellence and operational leadership at Nebraska Medicine. She has prepared us to do things we never thought possible while ensuring that high-quality patient care remains at the heart of every decision. Though she will be deeply missed, her dedication and contributions will live on, especially through the disaster preparedness work that strengthens all our teams.”

In her 40^th service anniversary article, she reflected on this quote: “God has perfect timing, and it’s highly possible that by not being where you thought you should be, you will end up exactly where you’re meant to go.”

“We spend a lot of time in our career pushing for ‘what’s next’,” she said. “I encourage my leaders to be patient and recognize that things happen for a reason. Sometimes it’s not what we want or think we deserve. And in time, the right thing will be clear, the door will be open, the window may close, but what matters most is being present – recognizing we should make the most of now.”