UNMC for the record

College of Allied Health Professions repeats as Trek champions
The College of Allied Health Professions repeated as champions in the small business corporate team division of the annual WELLCOM Trek up the Tower on Feb. 17.

Competitors raced 40 floors, 870 steps, to the top of the 633-foot First National Tower, the tallest building between Chicago and Denver. Allied health boasted a 14-member team; the top two male and female finishers from each team counted toward the team standings.

Team members included Melissa Dorr, Loralee Amandus, Laura Bilek, Ph.D., Jeremy Boldt, Tanya Custer, Shaun Horak, Kevin Howard, Greg Karst, Ph.D., Jonathan Kilstrom, Greg Mehrer, Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., Anne Skinner, Carey Wheelhouse, Anne Wildermuth, and Ryan Mullane, D.O., who is a preceptor and lecturer for the PA Program. (Kim Michael trained but was out of town during the event.)

Team captain Dorr said, “I hope even more people will join us next year. It is truly a great team building activity as well as an excellent way to get in shape.”

Sorrell convenience store hours shift during break; vendors still serving
From Monday to Friday of next week, the convenience store at the Sorrell Center will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (The store normally remains open until 4 p.m.)

The scheduled Sorrell Center lunch vendors will have their normal 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. schedule during the week.

American Geriatric Society honors Dr. Potter
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has honored Jane Potter, M.D., with the 2018 Dennis W. Jahnigen Award celebrating her work to train more health professionals in care for the aging.

Dr. Potter, chief in the UNMC Division of Geriatrics, has not only led geriatric education at UNMC but also has expanded the scope of her work to lead national efforts aimed at increasing the prestige and prominence of the geriatrics workforce. Dr. Potter is a co-principal investigator for the AGS’s Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) Coordinating Center — a strategic resource supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation for 44 organizations in 29 states working through the only federal program focused on increasing the number of doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals trained to care for America’s older adult population.

The late Dr. Jahnigen was a compassionate geriatrician and acclaimed educator who was committed to working with students and advancing geriatrics education in schools of health and medicine.

UNMC student to serve on ACP Council of Student Members
A third-year medical student, Alexandria Valdrighi, has been selected to serve a two-year term beginning in April, on the American College of Physicians Council of Student Members. She is one of 12 students from across its international student membership to serve. The council advises the ACP Board of Regents and Board of Governors on promoting internal medicine as a career, increasing the value of ACP membership to medical students, strengthening chapter and medical school level activities and aligning council activities with the college’s strategic plan.

Internal Medicine faculty achieve American College of Physicians Fellow status
The following internal medicine faculty members have achieved fellow status in the American College of Physicians (ACP):

• Renee Young, M.D., professor, division of gastroenterology and hepatology;
• Alan Erickson, M.D., associate professor, division of rheumatology;
• Matthew Lunning, D.O., assistant professor, division of oncology and hematology; and
• Krishna Gundabolu, M.B.B.S., M.D., assistant professor, division of oncology and hematology.

Dr. Goldner named vice chair of Neuroendocrine Tumors Panel
Whitney Goldner, M.D., associate professor, internal medicine-division of diabetes, endocrine and metabolism, has been named the new vice chair of the Neuroendocrine Tumors Panel for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).

Internal Medicine faculty recognized for service on National Board of Medical Examiners
Rachel Bonnema, M.D., associate professor, division of general medicine, Gerald (Jay) Moore, M.D., professor, division of rheumatology, and Tammy Wichman, M.D., associate professor, division of pulmonary medicine, were recognized for their service to the National Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Bonnema was selected to be on the United States Medical Licensing Examination Women’s Health Committee. Dr. Moore served as the medical school liaison representative and executive chief proctor. Dr. Wichman was on the Step 3 Interdisciplinary Review Committee.

Dr. Markin recognized as 2018 Distinguished Mentor
Kara Markin, M.D., assistant professor, internal medicine-division of general medicine, was recognized by the Student Senate as 2018 Distinguished Mentor at a luncheon on March 6.