UNMC’s IAE inducts a record 45 new members

UNMC’s Interprofessional Academy of Educators inducted a record 45 new members at its 10th annual induction ceremony on Sept. 11.

The new members consist of 31 faculty and staff as members and 12 learners as associate members. In addition, one faculty member from the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions and one employee from the University of Nebraska at Omaha were inducted as affiliate members.

The 2025 inductees join a group of nearly 300 members across Nebraska committed to advancing educational excellence through exceptional health sciences teaching, mentorship and scholarship.

This year’s induction included a recognition ceremony to honor new inductees and provide an opportunity for members to network and connect — a key part of the academy’s mission to cultivate a community across professions that connects educators with shared interests to drive collaboration, innovation and scholarship.

See photos from the induction ceremony in this Flickr album.

New inductee Lynne Buchanan, associate professor and co-director of the BSN to DNP program in the UNMC College of Nursing, praised the academy for fostering collaboration among colleagues across health sciences and academic medicine.

“UNMC brings together a multicultural workforce of educators through the Interprofessional Academy of Educators and allows a place where team members from various disciplines can come together and share thoughts and expertise,” she said. “This induction is a recognition of my passion for teaching and for being seen as a service-oriented leader and will foster growth and development in myself and others.”

Ben Stobbe, assistant vice chancellor of advanced statewide simulation at iEXCEL, cited the focus on faculty development and educational research as among the many reasons he joined the academy.

“I am honored to be inducted as a member of the Interprofessional Academy of Educators and to have the opportunity to collaborate with so many faculty and staff who are dedicated to advancing the education experience of the students, promoting educational research and enhancing faculty development,” he said.

The opportunity for interprofessional collaboration often is a driving factor for joining the academy.

“This induction will enhance my ability to facilitate interdisciplinary learning, promote effective teamwork and foster meaningful educational partnerships across professional boundaries,” said inductee Scott Sanderson, associate professor and director of the perfusion program in the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions.

Applications for membership and affiliate membership will open again in spring 2026. Associate membership applications will open in August 2026. For more information on the Interprofessional Academy of Educators, visit the academy website.

Academy members:

• Lynne Buchanan, PhD
  UNMC College of Nursing

• Sarah Connolly, PhD, BCBA-D
  Munroe-Meyer Institute

• Precious Davis, EdD
  UNMC College of Nursing

• Angela Delecaris, MD
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Megan Dubas
  UNMC College of Nursing

• Paul Dye
  UNMC Academic Affairs

• Michael Facciolo, MD
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Maha Farid, PhD, MBBCh
  UNMC Academic Affairs

• Daniel Gih, MD
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Zin Mar Htun, MBBS
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Jacques Izard, PhD
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Sarah Johnson
  UNMC College of Allied Health Professions

• Betsy Knobbe
  UNMC College of Allied Health Professions

• Mariya Kovaleva, PhD
  UNMC College of Nursing

• Rachel A. Kunkle, PhD
  UNMC College of Nursing

• Halle Mallard, PhD
  UNMC College of Allied Health Professions

• Nicole Martino, PhD
  UNMC College of Allied Health Professions

• Shaheed Merani, MD, PhD
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Lindsay Mundil
  UNMC College of Dentistry

• Nagamani Narayana, DMD
  UNMC College of Dentistry

• Faruq Pradhan, MBBCh
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Athena Ramos, PhD
  UNMC College of Public Health

• Gwen Reiser
  Munroe-Meyer Institute

• Sheri Rowland, PhD
  UNMC College of Nursing

• Scott Sanderson
  UNMC College of Allied Health Professions

• Tia Stevenson
  UNMC College of Nursing

• Benjamin Stobbe
  UNMC Academic Affairs

• Rebecca Swanson, DNP
  UNMC College of Nursing

• Danielle M. Westmark
  McGoogan Health Sciences Library

• Molly Whitlow (McCarthy), PhD
  UNMC College of Allied Health Professions

• Jessica Witt, PharmD
  UNMC College of Pharmacy

Affiliate members:

• Andrew Faltin, JD
  University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Kyle HouseUNMC College of Allied Health Professions

Associate members: 

• Grace Berentson
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Rasha Ghorab
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Samantha Hunter
  UNMC College of Dentistry

• Amanda O. Johnson
  UNMC Graduate Studies

• Cassidy Johnson
  UNMC College of Allied Health Professions

• Ukamaka Obiamaka Modebelu
  UNMC College of Pharmacy

• Jack Paradis
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Kamryn Pfenning
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Jaden Siegle
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Dhruv Srinivasacher, MD
  UNMC College of Medicine

• Sarah Uhm
  UNMC Graduate Studies

• Cierra Wegner
  UNMC College of Medicine