 |
UNMC’s Jose Romero, M.D., right, receives the Hispanic/Latino on the Move from Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey in 2003. A farewell tea will be held today for Dr. Romero, who is leaving UNMC to head a pediatric infectious diseases program at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. |
Dr. Romero is leaving the medical center to head a pediatric infectious diseases section at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
“Dr. Romero is an outstanding clinician, educator and translational researcher,” said Peter Coccia, M.D., vice chairman of the department of pediatrics. “He is a true academic triple threat. He will be a great loss to our mission and we wish him well in this exciting endeavor.”
Dr. Romero was recruited to UNMC in 1993 by then-pediatrics chairman Bruce Buehler, M.D, and the late Steve Chartrand, M.D., who headed the joint UNMC/Creighton pediatric infectious diseases program.
Dr. Romero would go on to lead the development of UNMC’s section of pediatric infectious diseases. His clinical and research interests have focused on enteroviruses, specifically coxsackievirus and myocarditis.
He also has been a major contributor in the effort to help underserved populations in Nebraska.
“Throughout his time here at UNMC, Dr. Romero has been very active in his efforts to improve health care for the state’s underserved,” Dr. Coccia said.
Dr. Romero has served as chief Latino recruitment officer for UNMC and the interim director of the Minority Health Education, and Research Office at UNMC. He also has been involved with numerous diversity efforts and community agencies including serving as president of the Chicano Awareness Center Board of Directors.
In 2003, he received the Hispanic/Latino on the Move awards for his contributions to the Omaha community.
Dr. Romero said he will look back on his 15 years at UNMC with great fondness.
“This has been the most productive and rewarding time of my career,” Dr. Romero said. “UNMC has provided me with opportunities to improve the health of Nebraska’s children and children in the region. I am proud to have been a faculty member at UNMC.”