Lookin’ at U – Susan Smith

picture disc.Quick, think of five things others should know about you.

That’s the theme behind a series in UNMC Today called “Lookin’ at U.”

Each Thursday, we will randomly select a medical center employee or student to feature.

This week, we feature Susan Smith, manager of the UNMC Faculty Employee Assistance Program (FEAP).









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Susan Smith

Here, in her own words, are five fun facts about Sue:


  • I have two beautiful children – Tanner, age 3, and Tory, 8 months. My kids remind me every day to look at the world through the eyes of a child …with wonder and curiosity.

  • My father was a pilot and we had our own small plane when I was a child. Every weekend we would fly to different cities/states for what was referred to as ‘flight breakfasts’ and then return home. Because of his love for flying, he had a special relationship with Santa, who took me for my first helicopter ride in full Santa gear.

  • When my father was alive, we raised and showed Quarter horses. I become a fairly skilled equestrian…a love I hope to instill in Tanner and Tory. Raising and showing horses taught me invaluable lessons about responsibility, competition and self-confidence.

  • My love of horses, all animals for that matter, led me to my first job while in nursing school. I was a ‘hot walker’ (not at all what it sounds) at the Ak-Sar-Ben racetrack. My job was to walk horses (that weren’t running that day) for exercise and to cool off the horses that did race. My day began at 4 a.m. and ended when the last race was run. I was promised a raise that didn’t happen, so I boycotted the owner I worked for until he gave me a 100 percent increase…from $1 an hour to $2!

  • The most interesting ‘pets’ I’ve had were two bobcats from Texas…actually, half bobcat, half domestic cat. Boy could they hunt mice!

Read UNMC Today next Thursday to see who is featured in the next Lookin’ at U article. Who knows — it could be U.