UNMC honored the recipients of newly created endowed chairs, professorships and fellowships — among the highest academic awards the university can bestow on a faculty member — as well as the benefactors who support them during a recent celebration.
During the Circle of Distinction event held Oct. 6, a total of 60 faculty members and their corresponding benefactors were honored. In addition, 133 faculty and benefactors who previously joined the Circle of Distinction were recognized.
Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, said endowed positions are critical to UNMC’s ability to compete for and recruit the best faculty in the country.
“We see our faculty’s impact across UNMC,” he said. “Our educational programs continue to earn national recognition. Our research programs are advancing discoveries that have the potential to change lives, and this year we hit a record high of $230 million in research support for UNMC.”
Brian Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation, praised the donors and faculty who were honored at the event.
“Thank you to our benefactors for your generous investments in faculty, who are the lifeblood of any great university,” he said. “Our faculty are in the classroom teaching and preparing the next generation of healthcare providers for our state. They are in the lab doing the research that provides opportunities to change lives and save lives.”
Creating new endowed chairs and professorships is a key priority of the University of Nebraska’s comprehensive campaign, Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future.
Dr. Davies thanked the donor community for its support, noting: “Our benefactors are investing in the educators, researchers and clinicians whose talent and commitment move UNMC and Nebraska Medicine forward.”
The following are new Circle of Distinction honorees:
Universitywide
Kyle Meyer, PhD – Armstrong Family Distinguished Chair of Rural Healthcare Workforce Strategy, generously given by the Armstrong Family
Joann Sweasy, PhD – Fred & Pamela Buffett Presidential Chair, generously given by Pamela Buffett
College of Allied Health Professions
Yvonne Golightly, PhD – Karen Linder Distinguished Professor of Women’s Health, generously given by Mrs. Karen A. Linder
Corrine K. Hanson, PhD – M. Patricia and James W. Leuschen Professor for Advancing Research in the Allied Health Sciences, generously given by M. Patricia Leuschen, PhD
College of Dentistry
Gregory Bennett, DMD – Dr. George W. and Jane Boos Ferguson Faculty Fellow, UNMC College of Dentistry, generously given by Mrs. Margaret Raynor and Dr. Bobby Raynor, Mrs. Gretchen Garcia, Mrs. Mary LaFave and Mr. James LaFave, and Mrs. Nancy Ferguson and Mr. David Ferguson
Alexandra Bilunas, DDS – Norman C. Carlson Professor of Dentistry, generously given by Dr. G. William Ferguson and friends of Dr. Carlson
Richard Bokemper, DDS – Dr. William E. Ludwick Faculty Fellow in Dentistry, generously given by Dr. William Ludwick and Mrs. Harriet Ludwick
Megan Christiansen – Dr. F. Gene and Rosemary Dixon Faculty Fellow in Excellence in Teaching at the College of Dentistry, generously given by Mrs. Rosemary Dixon and Floyd G. Dixon, DDS
Sangamesh Kumbar, PhD – Byron H. and Mary V. Weeth Professor of Dental Research, generously given by Dr. Byron H. and Mrs. Mary V. Weeth
Robert Schoettger, DDS – Dr. and Mrs. Henry and Anne Cech Professor of Orthodontics, generously given by Mrs. Anne Cech and Dr. Henry Cech
Makena Sundine, DDS – Dr. Harold (Ted) Maude and Marilyn Pedersen Maude Faculty Fellow at the UNMC College of Dentistry, generously given by Susan Christensen, DDS, and Michael J. Christensen, DVM
Amanda Wobido, DDS – Dr. Merritt C. Pedersen Professor of Dentistry, generously given by Mrs. Merritt C. Pedersen
College of Medicine
Jennifer Adams, MD – William W. Bruce, MD, Distinguished Chair of Dermatology, generously given by William W. Bruce, MD, and Mrs. Ida L. Bruce
Christie Barnes, MD – Dwight T. Jones, MD Professor in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, generously given by the Sidney A. Swensrud Foundation
Siddappa Byrareddy, PhD – Harriet and Lazier Singer Professor of Experimental Neuroscience, generously given in memory of Harriet Singer by Mrs. Sandra Kutler and Mr. Mark Singer
Rao Chundury, MD – Dr. Joseph J. Hompes Professor of Ophthalmology, generously given by Dr. Joseph Hompes
Jesse Cox, MD, PhD – James Linder, MD, Pathology Residency Director Distinguished Chair, generously given by James R. Linder, MD
Andjela Drincic, MD – Dr. Timothy Wahl Presidential Chair of Diabetes Education, Care and Research, generously given by the Diabetes Care Foundation
Marvin Eng, MD – Miscia Chair of Interventional Cardiology, generously given by Vincent F. Miscia, MD, and Mrs. Lucille S. Miscia
Charity Evans, MD – Ellen and Stavely Wright Professor of Acute Care Surgery, generously given by Mrs. Ellen M. Wright and Mr. J. Stavely Wright in honor of the outstanding care of the Nebraska Medicine trauma team and Deb and Bruce Grewcock
Santhi Gorantla, PhD – Harriet and Lazier Singer Professor of Experimental Neuroscience, generously given in memory of Harriet Singer by Mrs. Sandra Kutler and Mr. Mark Singer
Hani Haider, PhD – Robert G. Volz Chair of Biomechanics, generously given by Ann L. and Robert G. Volz, MD
Curtis Hartman, MD – Kevin L. Garvin, MD Distinguished Chair of Adult Reconstruction Orthopaedic Surgery, generously given by Ruth and Bill Scott and Karen Olson, MD
Daniel Johnson, MD – Steven J. Lisco MD Distinguished Professor of Anesthesiology, generously given by Steven J. Lisco, MD, and Mrs. Juliette Lisco
Joseph Khoury, MD – Peter C. Hinrichs Chair of Pathology Informatics, generously given by Steven H. Hinrichs, MD
Thuy Koll, MD – Kinman Oldfield Endowed Faculty Chair in Geriatrics, generously given by the Kinman Oldfield Family Foundation Trust
Ryan Lee, MD – Howard B. Hunt, MD, Centennial Chair in Radiology, generously given by Howard B. Hunt, MD
Howard Liu, MD, – Anna O. Stake Professor of Child Psychiatry, generously given by Mrs. Anna O. Stake
Zhenguo Liu, MD, PhD – Theodore F. Hubbard, MD, Chair of Cardiology, generously given by the Theodore F. and Claire M. Hubbard Family Foundation
Matthew Lunning, DO – James O. Armitage, MD, Chair of Hematological Malignancies, generously supported by Robert Parnes, MD, and other friends of Dr. Jim Armitage
Corrigan McBride, MD – Shackleford–Marischal Professor of Surgery, generously given by the estate of Mary E. Marischal
Melissa Muff–Luett, MD – Mark and Catherine Houser Professor in Pediatric Nephrology, generously given by Mark T. Houser, MD, and Catherine W. Houser, MSN, RN
Andrew Patterson, MD, PhD – Robert Lieberman Endowed Chair of Anesthesiology, generously given by Robert P. Lieberman, MD
Sarosh Rana, MD – Distinguished Chris J. and Marie A. Olson Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, generously given by Leland J. Olson, MD, and Mrs. Dorothy M. Olson
Hemant Roy, MD – Henry J. Lehnhoff Professor of Internal Medicine, generously given by Dr. Henry J. Lehnhoff, Jr. and friends of the department
Ruxana Sadikot, MD – Joseph H. Sisson, MD, Chair of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, generously given by Jennifer L. Larsen, MD
Sajid Shahul, MD – John R. Jones, MD, Professor of Anesthesiology, generously given by M. Nicholas Workhoven, MD, and Mrs. Deanne Workhoven
Jim Sullivan, MD – Daniel W. Johnson, MD Endowed Chair in Critical Care, generously given by Mr. Michael C. Meyer and Mrs. Dana W. Meyer
Daniel Surdell, MD – Lyal G. Leibrock, MD, Chair of Neurosurgery, generously given by Dr. Lyal and Judi Leibrock, Dr. and Mrs. Leslie C. Hellbusch and friends of Dr. Leibrock and the division
William Thorell, MD – Nancy A. Keegan and Donald R. Voelte, Jr. Chair of Neurosurgery in honor of Dr. J. Jay Keegan, generously given by Ms. Nancy A. Keegan and Mr. Donald R. Voelte, Jr.
Matthew Van Hook, PhD – John E. Gilmore, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology, generously given by John E. Gilmore, MD
John Windle, MD – Richard and Mary Holland Presidential Chair for Healthcare Artificial Intelligence, generously given by the Holland Foundation
Shanxiang Zhang, MD, PhD – Wing C. and Angelina Chan Professor of Pathology, generously given by Wing C. Chan, MD, and Angelina H. Li, PhD
College of Nursing
Breanna Hetland, PhD – Gail and Jim Anderson Professor of Nursing, generously given by James A. Anderson and Gail S. Anderson
Mary Isaacson, PhD – Christine Heide Sorensen Professor of Nursing, generously given by Gladys E. Sorensen, EdD
Tracie Kirkland, PhD, DNP – Kenneth E. Morehead Endowed Chair in Nursing, generously given by Kenneth E. Morehead
Elizabeth Mollard, PhD – Dorothy Hodges Olson Chair in Nursing, generously given by Leland J. Olson, MD, and Mrs. Dorothy M. Olson
College of Pharmacy
Paul Dobesh, PharmD – Charles H. Krobot, PharmD Professor in Pharmacy Practice and Science, generously given by friends and alumni of the College
Corey Hopkins, PhD – Edward B. (Ted) Roche, PhD, Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, generously given by friends and alumni of the College
Donald Klepser, PhD – Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean, generously given by Dr. Joseph D. Williams, Jr. and Millie E. Williams
Ram Mahato, PhD – Parke–Davis Professor, generously given by the Warner–Lambert Foundation
Aaron Mohs, PhD – Parke–Davis Professor, generously given by the Warner–Lambert Foundation
Kimberly Scarsi, PharmD – Lewis E. and Antonia E. Harris Professor, generously given by Dr. Lewis E. Harris
Dong Wang, PhD – Joseph D. and Millie E. Williams Professor of Pharmacy, generously given by Dr. Joseph D. Williams, Jr. and Millie E. Williams
College of Public Health
Brandon Grimm, PhD – Harold M. Maurer, MD, Distinguished Chair of Public Health, generously given by Ruth and Bill Scott
Abbey Lowe, PhD – Drs. Virginia and John F. Aita Chair for the Integration of Humanities and Arts in Health Promotion, generously given by Dr. Virginia A. Aita and Dr. John F. Aita
Jerrod Anzalone, PhD – Nebraska Healthcare Collaborative Professor of Population Health, generously given by CyncHealth
Sai Paritala, PharmD – Nebraska Healthcare Collaborative Professor of Population Health, generously given by CyncHealth
Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH – Nebraska Healthcare Collaborative Chair of Population Health, generously given by CyncHealth
Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases
Kelsey Klute, MD – Debra Lindsey Professor of Pancreatic Cancer, generously given by Carly Turner, Fred Hunzeker, and John Lindsey, MD.