Emily Cantrell, MD, will be the new trauma medical director for Nebraska Medicine, effective on Sunday, March 1.
Dr. Cantrell has been promoted to the role after serving as associate medical director since 2019, as well as the medical director for the level two pediatric trauma center at Nebraska Medical Center. Zach Bauman, DO, who has served as the adult trauma medical director since that time, will transition out of that role.
Dr. Cantrell, who also is an associate professor in the UNMC Department of Surgery, Division of Acute Care Surgery, will oversee the administrative aspects of the trauma program, which includes performance improvement and patient safety activities, as well as education and outreach. She will lead the trauma team in the overall care of patients.
“Dr. Cantrell’s steady leadership and unwavering commitment to quality and team-based care will elevate our trauma program to the highest standard of excellence — driving continuous performance improvement, strengthening multidisciplinary collaboration and ensuring every patient receives the safest, most evidence-based care possible,” said Charity Evans, MD, chief of acute care surgery. “She is deeply respected by her colleagues and trusted by our patients. We are excited about this next chapter in our trauma program’s evolution and the continued advancement of excellence in patient care.”
Dr. Cantrell said she is honored and excited to step into the trauma medical director role.
“Thanks to the exceptional leadership of Dr. Bauman, Dr. Evans, Dr. Mercer and many others, we have built an outstanding trauma program dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care and saving lives after traumatic injury,” Dr. Cantrell said. “I look forward to building on this strong foundation and remain steadfast in our mission to provide transformative trauma care — driven by innovation, compassion and collaboration — to promote healing and recovery for every patient, every time.”
Dr. Bauman, who had served as the trauma medical director since 2019, will transition into a broader role in surgical safety with Nebraska Medicine.
“Over the past eight years, Dr. Bauman has provided exceptional leadership as our adult trauma medical director, strengthening our program’s clinical excellence, system performance and culture of accountability,” Dr. Evans said. “His steady guidance and commitment to high-quality, evidence-based care have elevated trauma services across our institution. We are grateful for his impact and confident that his leadership will continue to advance patient safety and quality on an even larger scale.”
Congratulations Emily. And to your program.