UNMC alum named RHEN director

Patrik Johannson, M.D.

Coming back to Omaha to become director of the Rural Health Education Network (RHEN) at UNMC was a perfect opportunity for Patrik Johansson, M.D.

As a UNMC medical student on rotation in western Nebraska, Dr. Johansson witnessed the challenges of health care in rural areas, an experience that greatly influenced his career interests.

“In the 12 years since, I have worked in clinical medicine and health policy and conducted research with different communities experiencing health disparities,” he said. “The position of RHEN director allows me to return to my home state to address health disparities and enhance community health through workforce development.”

More about Dr. Johannson Grew up in Gothenburg, Sweden; Worcester, Mass.; and Omaha. Majored in international relations and Japanese at Brown University; Worked two years in Japan in marketing and public relations before medical school. Graduated from UNMC College of Medicine in 1997, later obtained his masters of public health degree from Harvard University Has has received several awards for his public service efforts including the Harvard School of Public Health’s Albert Schweitzer and Fang Chin Sun Award.

As RHEN director, Dr. Johansson will work to strengthen the rural partnerships the office has established in the state. Those include partnerships with:

• Area Health Education Centers;
  
• Local public health departments;
  
• Health professions associations; and
  
• State, tribal and federal agencies.

“I also hope to introduce public health careers as a component of RHEN, as well as publish our results and best practices,” said Dr. Johansson, who also will serve as associate professor in the department of health promotion, social and behavioral health in the UNMC College of Public Health.

Dr. Johansson comes to UNMC from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, where he taught on health disparities, community health management and management approaches to public health and conducted research on infant mortality. He also served as deputy chief medical officer for the Greater Southeast Community Hospital in Washington.

“Dr. Johansson brings with him tremendous skills and a breadth of experience that will inspire the RHEN community,” said Ayman El-Mohandes, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., M.P.H., dean of the UNMC College of Public Health. “I am delighted that he has chosen to come back to Nebraska and anticipate that his leadership will add new strengths to the program.”