Tammy Wichman, M.D., has been appointed as program director of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine residency program effective July 1.
Dr. Wichman, who has been serving as the program’s associate program director, succeeds James O’Dell, M.D., who is stepping down after serving in the role for 35 years.
The program’s primary goal is to develop outstanding internists who will lead the world through extraordinary patient care, innovative research, team-based practice and community service. Physicians graduating from the program are well prepared for subspecialty training, primary care practices or hospitalist positions.
Dr. Wichman, who has been on faculty at UNMC for three years, previously served as internal medicine residency program director at another institution.
“I think it is the best job in the world,” Dr. Wichman said. “I am excited to work closely with our residents as they grow from new to graduated outstanding physicians. We have the biggest residency program on the campus and our residents provide extraordinary care as they develop as clinicians, educators, researchers and leaders in internal medicine for patients at Nebraska Medicine.”
Dr. Wichman, an associate professor of pulmonary critical care, earned her M.D. at St. Louis University School of Medicine, and did her residency in internal medicine-pediatrics and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals.
Deb Romberger, M.D., Henry J. Lehnhoff Professor of Internal Medicine and chair of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, said Dr. Wichman is an ideal person for role.
“She has incredible passion for education and considerable experience with administering training programs,” Dr. Romberger said. “We know she will make her mark in guiding the program in its next steps and shaping the lives of many young people.”
She said Dr. O’Dell’s commitment to resident education is beyond stellar.
“Our residency program has achieved so many remarkable milestones because of his leadership. Importantly, the lives of hundreds of young internists have been shaped by Dr. O’Dell’s guidance, which has impacted the health care of thousands of patients in our region and beyond,” she said.
“It’s been a tremendous privilege and honor being in charge of training internists for the last 35 years,” said Dr. O’Dell, professor of medicine, chief of the section of rheumatology and immunology and vice chairman of the department of internal medicine. “I’m proud of the internists and the positive impact they’ve made on their patients and in health care in the state and beyond.
“I’m extremely pleased and excited that Dr. Wichman will be taking over. She’ll bring all her talent, experience and passion to the program. It’s in good hands going forward.”
Congratulations Dr. Wichman!