UNMC for the record

New art installation at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

The Healing Arts Program recently installed a new sculpture on Level 2D of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “On Rays of Time,” by Amy Westover, is a conceptual installation. It is a Nebraska 1% for Public Art project, the third in the building.

The sculpture consists of three separate “sunbeams” made of multilayered, geometric pieces of colored cast glass and metal that angle through the space from floor to ceiling designed to embody the sunlight peeking through a window or cloud. The sun emerges from behind the nearby building in the same way the beams are oriented in the space, creating an illusion of the natural world within the building. Each beam has a “V” shape design, echoing the triangular shape of the architecture. Westover’s use of repetition creates a grounded, purposeful and harmonious space.

Von Seggern-Johnson elected to NAEMI board

Debra Von Seggern-Johnson

Debra Von Seggern-Johnson, emergency medical services coordinator in continuing education, was elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT). As Region III director, she and her colleagues are responsible for the general management and oversight of the affairs of the association.

Formed in 1975 and consisting of more than 72,000 members, the association is the nation’s only organization that represents and serves the professional interests of emergency medical service practitioners, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical responders, and other professionals providing prehospital and out-of-hospital emergent, urgent or preventive medical care.

Von Seggern-Johnson has been involved with the association and for the Nebraska EMS Association in various roles.

“NAEMT has made huge strides paving the way for EMS to be recognized as a health care profession and continues to build strong partnerships,” she said. “When I served as president of the Nebraska EMS Association, I looked to NAEMT’s leadership to incorporate their ideas and goals into our strategic plan for the state of Nebraska while working together for the betterment of EMS.

“My goal from the start of my career has been and still is, to implement a best practice perspective on any decisions or actions that affect the outcome of patient care.”

Dr. Desa is listed among 2019 Top Dentists in Omaha Metro Area

Valmont Desa, D.D.S., M.D., associate professor, surgery – oral and maxillofacial, is listed in the 2019 Top Dentists in the Omaha Metro Area. The complete listing appears in the October issue of Omaha Magazine. Dr. Desa is included in the oral and maxillofacial surgeons category. He was one of only a dozen oral surgeons in the metro area who were included in the listing. A total of approximately 120 dental health professionals in the metro area were listed among the 2019 Top Dentists.

A fellow in the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Desa is the Dr. Leon F. Davis Endowed Chair in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and has served as division chief since 2011. He has served as the residency program director for oral and maxillofacial surgery for the past 10 years.

He earned his dental degree from Creighton University and his medical degree from UNMC. He currently serves as an examiner on the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

The Omaha list is based on thousands of detailed evaluations of dentists and professionals by their peers. The people surveyed are asked the question: “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?” Dentists and specialists are asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies, and physical results.

River City Mixed Chorus offers UNMC/Nebraska Medicine discount for holiday concert

Tickets for the River City Mixed Chorus holiday concert “Brass and Bells” are now available. This concert will be performed at the Omaha Conservatory of Music on Dec. 6 at 7:05 p.m., Dec. 7 at 7:05 p.m., and Dec. 8 at 4:05 p.m.

UNMC and Nebraska Medicine employees are eligible for discounted seats. With the discount code UNMCNM5OFF, employees will receive $5 off the purchase price of $20-$30 seats. The discount applies to each ticket purchased and has no limit on number of uses.

To purchase tickets, visit the website and click the orange button for the date you would like to attend. This will take you to Eventbrite to choose your seats and complete your transaction. After clicking on “Tickets” on the Eventbrite page, click on “Enter promo code” at the top to enter the UNMCNM5OFF code.