Dr. Splittgerber named assistant dean, CQuence prof

It’s an exciting time for Ryan Splittgerber, Ph.D. He recently became the College of Allied Health Professions’ assistant dean at the Health Science Education Complex (HSEC), leading the CAHP’s efforts in Kearney.

Then, he learned he is the recipient of allied health’s sixth endowed, named professorship, the CQuence Distinguished Professorship for Innovation in Health Care.

“Dr. Splittgerber is the perfect recipient,” said Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., dean of the College of Allied Health Professions. “He is an established scholar, an innovative educator, a collaborative leader, and he has a tremendous passion for the vision of the HSEC.”

The new professorship is to advance the development, implementation and assessment of interprofessional curricula with a focus on promoting new models of primary and transitional care. The endowed professorship came about through a generous gift from the CQuence Health Group, headed by Michael Cassling, with matching funds from the Charles R. O’Malley Charitable Trust.

“It’s a great honor for me personally, but as importantly for the entire College of Allied Health Professions team at the Health Science Education Complex,” Dr. Splittgerber said.

The CQuence Professorship goes hand-in-hand with what he, the CAHP, and the College of Nursing are working on in Kearney, where the HSEC is on the UNK campus. Interprofessional training will happen by design – but also thanks to proximity. Seven expanded allied health programs, and the College of Nursing-Kearney Division, all housed within the HSEC.

“All of these programs are under one roof, which doesn’t happen very often,” Dr. Splittgerber said.

Further, the facility’s state-of-the-art technology applies itself to simulation, experiential and distance learning, adapting to new models of education and care.

The HSEC’s vision is to provide opportunity to rural Nebraska students and address critical health care workforce shortages in underserved parts of the state. It will do so through education, outreach and engagement with central Nebraska communities, students and health care providers.

“Students interested in rural practice can now complete their health professions education in Kearney, without the need to go to Omaha,” Dr. Splittgerber said. “Our experience with RHOP indicates graduates will be more likely to stay and practice in rural communities if they have been trained closer to these communities.”

Dr. Splittgerber helped design and currently directs the HSEC’s state-of-the-art gross anatomy lab.

“It was a big change,” he said of moving from Omaha, “but Kearney is fantastic. It’s one of my favorite places that I ever lived.” He’s even traded in his cell phone number for one that starts with 308.