The UNMC College of Medicine has named three new academic leaders who will assume their roles July 1.
- Amy Cutright, MD, associate professor and vice chair of faculty affairs in the UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine, has been appointed associate dean for medical curriculum.
- Aleisha Nabower, MD, associate professor and vice chair of education for the UNMC Department of Pediatrics, has been named assistant dean for student affairs.
- Chelsea Navarette, MD, assistant professor and associate vice chair of belonging and community engagement in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, has been appointed assistant dean for admissions.
Calling it a profound honor, Dr. Cutright said she looks forward to collaborating with students, faculty and staff “to provide outstanding education for our future physicians.”
Kimberly Jarzynka, MD, vice chair of the UNMC Department of Family Medicine and assistant dean for admissions and student affairs, said Dr. Cutright’s broad experience in undergraduate medical education and dedication to continuous improvement make her “an outstanding choice to lead the UNMC College of Medicine’s curriculum efforts.”
Dr. Nabower said she is eager to provide individualized student support while working “to systematically advance a supportive learning environment that enables our students to fulfill their full potential as future physicians.”
Dr. Jarzynka said that Dr. Nabower’s student-centered approach and passion for learner development have produced supportive educational programs that help students thrive, adding that she is “excited for the insight and energy she will bring to the student affairs leadership team.”
Dr. Navarette said she looks forward to advancing conversations around rural access and health disparities and “helping shape a physician workforce prepared to serve all Nebraskans.”
Dr. Jarzynka said Dr. Navarette’s work in recruitment outreach and community engagement reflects a genuine passion for building opportunities for future physicians, and that her “commitment to holistic admissions will be a tremendous asset as we continue to recruit talented students to the UNMC College of Medicine.”
Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education Geoffrey Talmon, MD, said these appointments reflect the depth of talent within the UNMC College of Medicine and the commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience for students.
“Drs. Cutright, Nabower and Navarette each bring tremendous dedication to their work, and I look forward to seeing the impact they will have in their new roles,” Dr. Talmon said.
With these appointments, two faculty leadership positions are now open within the college of medicine:
Phase 2 Director
The Phase 2 Director oversees the 12-month core clerkship year of the medical curriculum, ensuring high-quality, consistent clinical education across all sites. Reporting to the associate dean for medical curriculum and working in collaboration with college leadership and the Office of Medical Education, the director implements clinical education policies, monitors student assessments and evaluations, supports clerkship faculty and administrators, and addresses compliance, grading and learning environment issues. The role also includes committee leadership, reporting, faculty and site oversight, and co-directing the Acute Care and Clinical Transitions course. The estimated time commitment is approximately 0.3 FTE.
Director of Academic Advising
Directors of Academic Advising serve as the primary academic advisor for medical students throughout Phases 1 and 2, supporting academic development and success without participating in student assessment. Directors introduce students to academic support resources during orientation, review learning inventories and help develop individualized study strategies. They provide ongoing academic counseling, proactively engage students with emerging performance concerns, connect students to institutional support services as needed and collaborate with block directors and career counseling resources to promote effective learning, resilience and informed career planning. The estimated time commitment is 0.1–0.2 FTE.
Faculty interested in learning more should email Sharon Secora (ssecora@unmc.edu) for detailed descriptions of the positions. To apply for one of the positions, faculty should email a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest to ssecora@unmc.edu by the end of business on June 1.