The newly elected officers for the Student Association for Rural Health (SARH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center have been announced. The officers are made up of medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant and public health students who are interested in learning more about rural health issues and promoting rural practice to others.
They host monthly seminars, which included presentations by health care professionals and hospital administrators from rural communities, as well as a presentation from Nebraska’s Office of Rural Health. Average attendance at the monthly seminars exceeds 100 students.
The 2011-2012 SARH officers are listed below by hometown:
Aurora & Grand Island – Jennifer Harney, first-year medical student
Harney is an alumnus of Aurora High School and Wayne State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program. Growing up in a small Nebraska town helped her appreciate the unique relationship between a rural health physician and patient. Her passion for health care, Aurora and the shortage of health care professionals in rural Nebraska have all influenced her commitment to rural health and her participation in SARH. She is the daughter of Julie and Philip Shively of Aurora and Lesley and Daryl Harney of Grand Island.
Benkelman – Treasurer, Naomi Jenik (maiden name Matthews), second-year medical student
Jenik is a graduate of Dundy County Stratton High School and Chadron State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program. Jenik became involved with SARH because she’s always been interested in rural health. The experience of growing up in a rural area influenced her desire to promote rural practice to other students and professionals at UNMC. She is the daughter of Jean & George Matthews of Benkelman. She is married to Justin Jenik of Sterling, Colo.
Creighton – Ali Laflan, first-year medical student
Laflan is a graduate of both Creighton Community High School and Wayne State College. She considers herself lucky to be a participant in the Rural Health Opportunities Program. Having been born and raised in a small town, Laflan said she’s always dreamed of being a physician. She can’t think of anyone nicer than people who live in rural Nebraska. She also said there is no better place to live and raise a family. She is the daughter of Cathy and Dr. Doug Laflan of Creighton.
Elmwood – Danae Wolcott, master of public health student
Wolcott graduated from Elmwood-Murdock High School, received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is pursuing a master’s degree in public health and is involved with SARH because she said there is a large gap in public health research on childhood obesity in rural Nebraska and programs in this area are greatly needed. She is the daughter of Jim Wolcott of Elmwood and the late Patty Wolcott.
Fremont – Co-President, Kilie Donovan (maiden name Stover), second-year medical student
– Secretary, Karisa Stover, second-year medical student
Kilie and Karisa are the twin daughters of Teresa and Dr. Terry Wooldridge of Fremont. They graduated from Logan View High School and Wayne State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program.
Kilie said she is interested in SARH because it has given her an opportunity to promote rural practice to students in middle schools, high school and college. Kilie is married to a fourth year medical student, Tim Donovan of Omaha. They plan to practice in a rural community someday.
Karisa said she is interested in SARH because the shortage of health care in rural Nebraska is a problem and she plans to make a difference by providing care to people who live in underserved communities.
Madison – Kendra Schomer, second-year pharmacy student
Schomer graduated from Madison High School and attended the University of South Dakota and Mount Marty College. She joined SARH to advocate for health care needs in rural areas and because she wants to promote rural practice and the opportunities that await students in rural settings. She is the daughter of Bonnie and Jerry Schomer of Madison.
Minden – Co-President, Samantha Raffety, third-year pharmacy student
Raffety served as secretary for SARH last year. Raffety is an alumnus of Minden High School and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Raffety is involved with SARH because it is an interdisciplinary group that impacts how rural health is perceived by UNMC students. She plans to return to rural Nebraska to practice as a pharmacist. She is the daughter of Rebecca and David Raffety of Minden.
St. Paul – Neal Hahn, first-year physician assistant student
Hahn graduated from St. Paul Public High School and Wayne State College. He said he wants to practice in an underserved area of Nebraska because while growing up he had mentors who were amazing, knowledgeable practitioners who had strong influences in the communities where they served. He hopes to be a stable, positive influence in a small town when he returns to rural Nebraska to practice. He is the son of Kathy and Denny Hahn of St. Paul.
Seward – Joshua Sypal, second-year medical student
Sypal graduated from East Butler High School and Wayne State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program. He said he’s always been interested in returning to rural Nebraska in order to practice medicine. Being in SARH has given him the opportunity to work with others who are interested in rural health and form lifelong, working relationships. He is the son of Rhonda and Bernie Sypal of Seward.
Sidney – Adam Peetz, second-year physical therapy student
Peetz is a graduate of Sidney High School and Chadron State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program. Adam is interested in rural health because he has witnessed the important role health care professionals have in communities where health care providers are scarce. He is the son of Julie and Tim Peetz of Sidney.
Valentine – Natalie Dunn, second-year physical therapy student
Dunn graduated from Valentine High School and Chadron State College through the Rural Health Opportunities Program. Having worked in a rural hospital, she said she is interested in promoting rural practice in Nebraska, as well as learning more about the disciplines that make up the health care team. She is the daughter of Arlene and Roger Dunn of Valentine.