UNMC for the record

College of Medicine first-year students present a check to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

College of Medicine first-year students present a check to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

College of Medicine students help make wishes come true
The College of Medicine’s M1 class held a philanthropy event on Feb. 13, the “Hearts with Smarts Charity Date Auction.” In addition to the auctioned-off dates, the students received donations from local businesses to raise more than $3,800 for the Nebraska chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “The total is more than enough to sponsor a wish for a lucky child here in Nebraska,” said M1 Class President Anthony White. Students presented a ceremonial check to the foundation on March 4.

LEAD members visit UNMC









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In the photo at right, members of the Nebraska Leadership Education/Action Development (LEAD) program learn about the simulation operating room in the Sorrell Center. Twenty-eight members of LEAD visited UNMC on Feb. 27-28 to learn more about UNMC’s rural initiatives, outreach and educational efforts. Housed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, LEAD is a statewide agricultural leadership development program designed to increase knowledge and understanding of economics and social changes affecting agriculture and rural areas. It is now in its 33rd year.

Dr. Oleynikov wins award for excellence in medical research
Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D., is the 2014 recipient of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Education & Research Foundation Excellence in Medical Research Award. This award, which is supported through a generous educational grant by Gore & Associates, was established in 2011 to provide scholarships to qualified mid-career SAGES members for leadership development and management training toward advancing minimal access surgery and quality patient care.

Dr. Kolok to speak at next ‘Transdisciplinary Conversations’ event March 16
Alan Kolok, Ph.D., interim director of UNMC’s Center for Environmental Health and Toxicology and director of UNO’s Nebraska Watershed Network, will speak on “Interdisciplinary Solutions for Super Wicked Problems: Lessons Learned from Global Climate Change” at the University of Nebraska’s Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute and Rural Futures Institute’s next “Transdisciplinary Conversations” event. The event will run from 5 to 6:30 p.m. March 16 at the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, 6401 Dodge St., on the University of Nebraska-Omaha campus. The event series is designed to spur new directions in transdisciplinary research and collaboration and is open to all NU faculty, staff and students, as well as interested colleagues in the private and nonprofit sectors. Light food and drinks will be served. Non-UNO guests may park in Lot E adjacent to the center. The event is open to the public; however, space is limited. Please register by March 13. To register, click here.

Burman named director for VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System
The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the appointment of B. Don Burman as the new director of the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (VA NWIHCS). Burman has served more than 28 years in health care leadership positions within VA and private health care. He most recently served as medical center director, Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics, White City, Ore.

MMI Department of Education will assist on Omaha Healthy Start
Charles Drew Center has received a five-year Maternal Child Health (MCH) grant to fund the Omaha Healthy Start (OHS), with the MMI Department of Education providing the evaluation of the program. OHS will build upon its core set of health and coordination services by adopting evidence-based interventions to:

  • improve women’s health.
  • promote quality services; and
  • strengthen family resilience.

Through the work of the OHS Community Action Network, OHS will achieve collective impact through collaboration, information sharing and advocacy.