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Jay Druecker, Ph.D. |
The retired Chadron State biology professor received UNMC’s J.G. Elliott Award in 2004 for improving health care services for Nebraskans and supporting the education of students in the health professions. In 2000, he received UNMC’s School of Allied Health Professions Outstanding Service Award.
“Dr. Druecker was a driving force in assuring the success of the Rural Health Opportunities Program in its earliest days,” said Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs at UNMC. “He was extremely committed to students and also cared deeply about the access and quality of health care for rural Nebraskans.”
“Dr. Druecker’s heart was with the students,” said Roxanna Jokela, director of UNMC’s Rural Health Education Network, through which RHOP is administered. “He was a forward thinking, kind person whose passion for teaching provided excellent science backgrounds and motivation for our RHOP students. Much of the success of RHOP is attributed to Dr. Druecker for his leadership and unending dedication.”
Dr. Druecker began his teaching career at Chadron State College in 1968. In the late 1970s, he took a sabbatical from Chadron State and enrolled in anatomy and pathology courses at UNMC. During that year, Dr. Druecker helped interview students who were applying to medical school and attended functions for health professions advisers.
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Along with Dr. Ted Davis, Dr. Druecker was instrumental and a key driving force in the development of the RHOP curriculum and activities at Chadron State College. He served for many years as the primary adviser for students interested in the health care profession at Chadron State.
Dr. Druecker was a beloved mentor to RHOP participant Adam Wells, a second-year UNMC medical student from St. Paul, Neb.
“I don’t think anyone can really fathom how much he has helped and enabled kids from the rural areas of Nebraska get to professional school,” Wells said. “All of the work he put into helping create the RHOP program has helped put many health practitioners back into rural communities across Nebraska. Not only do his former students owe him a great deal of gratitude, but also the countless communities who are benefiting from his hard work.
“He was one of the best guys I ever met,” Wells said. “He really touched a lot of lives and everyone here who knew him is just shocked and saddened. He was an integral part of all our lives.”
Said Ed Sydow, a second-year physician assistant student from Sidney, Neb.: “Dr. Druecker became an integral part of my education. Not only did he mentor me, but he also made a significant impact on my career decision. He has directly and indirectly impacted many people. His contributions to medicine and the allied health professions have been invaluable.”
Dr. Druecker retired from full-time teaching duties in the spring of 2003. He remained on the staff part time during the current school year to advise students who sought to enter the health professions.
Among his initiatives was the Health Professional Day at Chadron State, which began in the mid-1980s and exposed thousands of rural students to health career education opportunities in Nebraska.
A native of Murray, Neb., Dr. Druecker graduated from Plattsmouth High School and later Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he majored in biology and received a minor in chemistry. He spent six years at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, earning his master’s degree and doctorate.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Jane of Chadron; two sons, Scott and wife Kim Druecker of Vermillion, S.D., and Craig and wife Brenda Druecker of Inman, Kan.; and sister-in-law, Barb and husband Gene Peck of Hastings, Neb.
A memorial has been established with UNMC’s School of Allied Health Professions or the United Methodist Church. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, P.O. Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337. Donations to UNMC should be made payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation with a notation to the School of Allied Health Professions (also note the memorial is for Dr. Druecker). Checks may be sent to the University of Nebraska Foundation, 8712 W. Dodge Road, Omaha, NE 68114.
Services were held Saturday in Chadron.