UNMC for the record

Below is a list of achievements, activities and happenings involving UNMC staff, faculty and students.

In an effort to prevent dental disease among children in Burwell, Neb., 13 students, faculty and staff from the UNMC College of Dentistry partnered with the Loup Basin District Health Department to conduct a school-based dental sealant program on March 27 and 28. More than 47 children received sealants, new toothbrushes, toothpaste and oral health education.

Child Development Center turns 22 The UNMC Child Development Center turns 22 years old Monday. Six staffers have been with the center through its entire existence. They are, from left, Kris Swann, Kelly Rasmussen, Sandy Larsen, Kathy Stejskal, Stacey Saadat and Susan Risavi. To celebrate the birthday, parents are invited to join their children for cookie decorating from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.

Pankaj Singh, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the American Association for Cancer Research and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Dr. Singh is one of 14 pancreatic cancer researchers to share in grants totaling more than $5 million. His two-year grant will focus on targeting novel metabolic chemoresistance mechanisms in pancreatic cancer.

Joel Bessmer, M.D., associate professior, internal medicine-general medicine, was named among the top 15 concierge physicians in the country by Concierge Medicine Today (CMT), a trade publication. Every year, CMT releases a list of “Top Docs” after an extensive review of concierge medical practices throughout the United States. Concierge physicians and their practices must meet standards of excellence in the areas of patient satisfaction, value-added services inside their practice, medical influence and peer recognition, among other criteria.

From left, John Reinhardt, D.D.S., dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry, Roxanna Jokela, Brett VanBriggle, Ali Blum, Ulrike Otten, SHARING vice chairman, Kari Echtenkamp, Laura Espejel Rangel, Gov. Dave Heineman and Joshua Gruhl, SHARING clinic co-president.

A group of UNMC students, faculty and staff was present Wednesday when Gov. Dave Heineman proclaimed April 15 to 21 as “UNMC SHARING Clinics Week” throughout the state. The governor’s proclamation cited the SHARING Clinics’ high-quality, low-cost health care, the program’s growth, the program’s national reputation and its 16 years of operation.