Brusnahan retirement celebration set for Friday

Susan Brusnahan came to UNMC in September of 1985 as a temporary hire in the Department of Pathology and Microbiology. At the end of this month, she’ll retire after 30 years at UNMC.

Retirement celebration

What: Retirement tea for Sue Brusnahan
When: 2 p.m. Friday, June 24
Where: Private Dining Rooms A and B

It’s been quite a run. She’s worked with students at every level from high school to pathology residency. A medical technologist with a specialty in immunology, she’s co-authored 15 publications.

She also won a costume contest.

Also listed among her career highlights was that time she was “busted” by campus security for pulling weeds.

Apparently, she’s been a bit of a character, during her tenure at UNMC.

“She’s a pistol,” said Chris Allmon, administrator of the COBRE (Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence) grant through the Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine at the UNMC College of Pharmacy.

Brusnahan spent 19 years in path/micro in a variety of clinical and research labs, five years in genetics, cell biology and anatomy, and then more than six years in pharmaceutical sciences.

She’s been honored with a Silver U award.

“She’s been everywhere and everyone knows her,” Allmon said.

“No one better exemplifies the collaborative spirit of this university’s research and clinical missions than Sue Brusnahan,” Sam Sanderson, Ph.D., said.

To steal a basketball analogy, she would be the first player picked when starting a team.

In fact, she was.

“She was the first person I hired in my lab seven years ago,” said Jered Garrison, Ph.D. Now, that team goes on without her.

“While her knowledge and expertise will be dearly missed, her sense of humor will be missed most of all,” Dr. Garrison said.

Come and enjoy it, one more time. The campus is invited to a retirement tea (with cake!) at 2 p.m. Friday, June 24, in Private Dining Rooms A and B.

12 comments

  1. Michelle Varney says:

    Congratulations on your retirement Sue; you will be missed!

  2. Mary Slowik says:

    I'll miss seeing you Sue, enjoy retirement!

  3. Samuel Pirruccello says:

    Sue is definitely one of a kind and has a lovely biting wit. I had the pleasure to work with her for many years in the clinical immunology lab. I'll miss my occasional hug when we run into each other in the hallway. Best of luck Sue. Il piacere e tutto mio!!
    Sam Pirruccello

  4. Renee Fordyce-Boyer says:

    You came to mind this morning as I drove to work through Dundee (good thoughts) and now I see that you are in the UNMC news! Enjoy your retirement, Sue! Remember the short time you worked in the clinical Human Genetics Laboratory? It wasn't a long time, but it was fun. Hope to see you around town.

  5. Laura Bilek says:

    Sue, Best of luck on the new chapter in your life. We will miss you!

  6. Mike Berney says:

    Sue, Best of luck and Congrats on you retirement!!.

  7. Peter Iwen says:

    Sue, thank you for your friendship over the year and my best to you and your family in your well deserved retirement!

  8. Victoria Whalen says:

    Congratulations, 'Sue-Bee'. You are also a great example of an self directed kind and caring co-worker. I've enjoyed your unique, people centered and courageous presence working with you. Victrola

  9. Renee (Walker) Cook says:

    Congratulations Sue

  10. Jimmy Talaska says:

    We miss you already Sue! Thanks so much for being such a good friend to Advanced Microscopy all these years!

  11. Jan Taylor says:

    Sue! There is no replacing you! Always remember your 40th birthday at Sid's potluck…Ah, good times! Thanks for being a good and caring friend all these years and at lunch! Best of luck on the new chapter in your life. We will miss you a lot!

  12. Krupa Savalia says:

    Congratulations on starting this new chapter in your life! No one deserves the R&R that's yet to come in retirement more than you! Sue, you are a unique soul and a true gem. You're expertise and overwhelming selflessness in helping train, support and develop students will be a huge loss for the institution. I have so many wonderful memories from my time with you – so many hours where you generously gave your time, expertise, positive energy and humor so that I could finish up my experiments and graduate as soon as possible. I think of you often because I would not have been able to make it through without you and for that I will always be grateful! Miss you dearly! Now that you'll have time, come visit us in Washington DC!!!

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