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Jane Potter, M.D. |
She co-edits the book, “Geriatrics at your Fingertips,” which is now in its 20th or 21st year. About 17,000 copies of the book are distributed and sold every year as a new edition. It contains core content of day-to-day management of older patients.
Dr. Potter, Neumann M. and Mildred E. Harris Professor of Geriatrics, who has led UNMC geriatrics for 36 years — something that’s unheard of — will step down from the role June 30. She will continue practicing geriatrics, directing the geriatric medicine fellowship program and serving as medical director of the Nebraska Medical Center Geriatric Medicine Clinic.
Facility changes
“As an assistant professor in internal medicine, I spent more time in the chancellor’s office, I think, than full professors did,” said Jane Potter, M.D., chief of the UNMC Division of Geriatrics and /Gerontology. “Charlie Andrews was our chancellor then. He said, ‘Jane, this is so important to the state of Nebraska, we’re going to give you your own building.’ The first building we had is where the Durham Research Center sits – it was the old Nebraska Psychiatric Institute. Ten years after that building closed, we moved into the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging.”
Al Fisher, M.D., Ph.D., has been named chief of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Care Medicine and will assume the role July 1.
Dr. Potter is known nationally for her expertise. After graduating from residency at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., she had job offers from Harvard University and Johns Hopkins.
Why did she come back to Nebraska?
“Because I married my husband,” she said. “And I was one of seven children. Omaha is where my roots are and I wasn’t going anyplace else,” Dr. Potter said.
She took care of her parents until her dad, Harry Potter, died at 90, and her mom, Marie, at 98.
She said she’s always loved what she does at UNMC.
“I could start with (Chancellor) Charlie Andrews, (College of Medicine dean) Bob Waldman, Mike Sorrell and everybody who’s followed. It’s a great place.
“I mean, look at this building — tremendous community support — people like Paul and Lori Hogan . . . who wouldn’t?”
When Dr. Potter was in medical school, there was no geriatrics specialty. So she went to England to do her initial geriatrics training as a senior medical student.
“When I was in medical school and told people I wanted to do geriatrics, they said, ‘What is that?’ and when I came back here in 1982, the rest of the faculty said to me, ‘So, what is it you do anyway?” said Dr. Potter laughing.
She tells medical students that their best teachers are their patients.
“They’re going to teach you how to be valuable in medicine. They’re going to teach about individual medical problems. I’m grateful to patients. They’ve made my life very rich. It’s good to come to work when you have things that you like doing.”
You will still remain the Energizer Bunny!
It was my pleasure working with Dr. Jane Potter during the days of the Alzheimer’s Research Study, Rapid Brain Autopsy Program, in partnership with PEN department. She was a
dedicated geriatric physician. Best wishes.
Betty K. Chin
Dr. Potter cultivated an unshakable brand of trust in UNMC. Her expertise and care is exceptional–she has been a giant in the field of geriatrics and her story holds many lessons in career development and being a force for good.
Dr. Potter is fantastic. She truly loves her work and it shows in the care she gives her patients. She supports the families as caregivers and her expertise is unparalleled. Thank you Dr. Potter for all you've done.
I have had the privilege of learning most of what I know about the medical care of older adults from Jane. I'm proud to call her a colleague and friend!
Her dedication to the needs of this population is legendary.
Jane is simply the best. She lured me into geriatrics several decades ago and was the motivating force for geriatric medicine in Omaha and this part of the world for as long as I can remember. Jane has always been an exceptional clinician and teacher. It was one of the great joys of my career to be able to partner with her on so many academic adventures.
Bill Burke, MD
Director Stead Family Memory Center,
Banner Alzheimer's Institute
Phoenix, AZ
Jane, you are the midwest's leader in geriatric medicine, were when geriatrics was an unknown. I am blessed by your personal care and expertise and by your transferring me to Elizabeth Eckstrom. You must be one of the earliest earning ABIM's certification.
John Benson, MD
My mother is 100 years old … thanks in part to Jane Potter … The Olive Leslie Erickson family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts …
RIP old lady!!