UNMC/NHS to celebrate Dress Red Day Feb. 14

There should be more wearin’ of the red than usual at UNMC/NHS on Valentine’s Day as the American Heart Association holds it second annual Dress Red Day in the Omaha metro.

Dress Red Day is part of the American Heart Association’s observance of American Heart Month, which is this month. NHS is sponsoring this year’s event. UNMC is one of more than 20 Metro-area companies participating.

On Feb. 14, the association asks UNMC/NHS employees to dress in red and wear Dress Red Day 2002 commemorative pins and stickers to show their support of the American Heart Association and honor loved ones who have survived or died from heart disease or stroke.

The $5 pins and $2 stickers must be purchased before Thursday, Feb. 14. The names of pin purchasers will be entered into a Feb. 14 citywide drawing for a football signed by Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch.

Individuals also may purchase $2 red hearts and $5 gold hearts throughout the month to memorialize or honor someone who currently has heart disease. The hearts, which carry the individual’s name, are displayed at the Heart Walk on May 4.

Items may be purchased from UNMC/NHS American Heart Walk team leaders or at the American Heart Walk booth between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the following dates:

  • Thursday, Feb. 7 — South Campus outside Nebraska Café
  • Friday, Feb. 8 — North Campus near the old coffee cart area
  • Tuesday, Feb. 12 — South Campus
  • Thursday, Feb. 14 — South Campus
  • Monday, Feb. 18 — South Campus
  • Wednesday, Feb. 20 — North Campus
  • Tuesday, Feb. 26 — South Campus
  • Wednesday, Feb. 27 — North Campus

Proceeds go to a good cause – the American Heart Association’s efforts to fight heart disease and stroke in Nebraska. In addition to its many educational, outreach and lobbying efforts, the association this year is funding nearly $900,000 in research projects at Nebraska universities to fight cardiovascular disease (heart and stroke disease), the number one killer of all Americans and about 6,000 Nebraskans each year.

Last year, Dress Red Day raised more than $10,000 for the American Heart Association. The artist for this year’s commemorative pin is a NHS pediatric patient, who was asked to draw “hearts and love.”

For more information on the walk call the Omaha American Heart Association at 346-0771. For more information on Dress Red Day, or to purchase commemorative pins and stickers, contact the following UNMC and NHS team leaders:

  • Ann Kraft, public affairs, UNMC
  • Cynthia Lear, clinical trials office, UNMC
  • Maggie Wittstruck, medical technology, UNMC
  • Fran Higgins, School of Allied Health Professions, UNMC
  • Don Dickmeyer, Facilities Management and Planning, UNMC
  • Todd Lynes, Printing and Mail Services, UNMC
  • Cindy Sutton, internal medicine-cardiology, UNMC
  • Mary Peterson, orthopedic surgery, UNMC
  • Lori Cooley, College of Nursing, UNMC
  • Carol Kolar, Eppley Institute, UNMC
  • Kristi Berger, Eppley Institute, UNMC
  • Jim O’Donnell, Information Technology Services, UNMC
  • Kim Minino, Information Technology Services, UNMC
  • Joanne Johnson, Munroe-Meyer Institute, UNMC
  • Kim Tyrey, Munroe-Meyer Institute, UNMC
  • Robin Stoupa, University Medical Associates
  • Betsy Albers, University Medical Associates
  • Linda Glantz, College of Pharmacy, UNMC
  • Kerry Lytle, College of Pharmacy, UNMC
  • Alan Wass, College of Nursing, UNMC
  • Melissa Bernatow, NHS
  • Laura Porter, NHS
  • Julie Lazure, NHS
  • Maureen Kelpe, NHS
  • Joe Graham, NHS
  • Terry Paulsen, NHS
  • Rita VanFleet, NHS
  • Cindy Owens, NHS
  • Patty Jensen, NHS
  • Faye Sorensen, NHS
  • Deb Sampson, NHS
  • Becky Paar, NHS