Student spotlight – Melanie Ortleb

Education is one of the four pillars of UNMC’s mission and our students are the lifeblood of that aspect of campus life.

Melanie Ortleb

In UNMC Today’s Student Spotlight, we get to know some of these students, who are training to become tomorrow’s health care professionals.

Today we meet Melanie Ortleb, a fourth-year medical student.

• Name: Melanie Ortleb
  
• Hometown: Papillion
  
• Year/program: Fourth-year medical student (FINALLY!)

What is your best memory from your time at UNMC?

I participated in a medical mission trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua in 2009. … Seeing the horrible living conditions and poor health of the people in the villages was definitely an eye-opener. In spite of their trials, they were some of the kindest and most serene people I have met.

Our four brand values are leadership, commitment to excellence, working together and being a trusted resource. Pick one and tell us a time you witnessed it embodied at UNMC.

Yesterday was “Match Day,” the day where all fourth-year medical students across the country learn where they will be doing their residency training. Our class is such an amazing group of accomplished individuals. As expected, we matched far and wide into almost all specialties and in amazing places, many being right here in Nebraska. I am positive my classmates will go on to be leaders in their respective fields. (EDITOR’S NOTE: On Thursday, Ortleb learned she would do an intern year at The Colorado Health Foundation followed by a dermatology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.)

List three things people may not know about you

• I have an identical twin sister named Alaina. She is my best friend, teammate and partner in crime. I will miss her so much when I leave for residency! Alaina graduates in May, too, with her MBA.
  
• I was a lifeguard for three summers. But don’t worry, I wore sunscreen.
  
• I worked at Godfather’s Pizza all through high school and college. I delivered pizza until the Friday night before medical school started. Not only was it a great place to work, but I also met my husband, Dave, there.