Walter Brooks UNMC public affairs

UNMC hosts infectious disease, microbiology conference

The Omaha Infectious Disease and Microbiology Conference in November was simply an idea whose time had come, according to Phil Smith, M.D., chief, UNMC department of internal medicine-section of infectious disease, and conference director.

Dec 22, 2004

Dillard honors UNMC with its own recruiting day

Dillard University has sent no less than five students to UNMC for summer research internships for the past three years. On Oct. 27, the relationship reached a new level when UNMC was granted its own recruiting day – 24 hours in advance of the mass campus recruiting drive that drew representatives from more than 80 colleges and universities to Dillard.

Dec 21, 2004

UNMC lecturers kick off faculty exchange program

UNMC has achieved national recognition for developing formal affiliation agreements with some of the nation’s top undergraduate colleges for African American, Latino and Native American students. In October, Bruce Buehler, M.D., chairman of the department of pediatrics and director, Munroe-Meyer Institute, and Surinder Batra, Ph.D., professor in the department of biochemistry and molecular biology, kicked off the faculty exchange component with presentations at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.

Dec 20, 2004

UNMC Maternal Care Program receives baby kits

Chris Andersen, 16, is on the threshold of achieving scouting’s highest honor – Eagle Scout – thanks to the completion of his unique Eagle Scout project – the Infant Care Project. The Infant Care Project resulted in 52 new baby kits that will be distributed to needy mothers served by UNMC’s Maternal Care Program, a division of the department of obstetrics and gynecology.

Dec 9, 2004

Eldercare – a personal story by Walter Brooks

Walter Brooks of UNMC’s Public Affairs has been involved with eldercare since 1977. Today, he shares his personal story. This is the third in a series of features highlighting UNMC employees who are involved in eldercare issues. On Dec. 7, all employees are invited to the Eppley Science Hall to learn more about accessing eldercare services and information.

Dec 6, 2004

Paralympic athletes share bond with physicians, staff

In October, James Neff, M.D., professor of orthopedic surgery, got to do something he had never done before – hold a real Olympic medal in his hands. It was the bronze medal patient Lora Webster had earned with the women’s sitting volleyball team at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece. In fact, Dr. Neff and Peter Coccia, M.D., professor, department of pediatrics hematology-oncology, share a total of three patients who competed at the Paralympics Games.

Dec 6, 2004

Dr. Weis presents at the University of Turin, Italy

Andrew J. Weis, M.D., UNMC associate professor, section of cardiology, and director, Marfan Syndrome and Mitral Valve Prolapse Clinic, was honored by being invited to speak at the centuries-old University of Turin (Torino), Italy.

Dec 1, 2004

Radiation science students host school games

Jim Temme, associate director of UNMC’s Radiation Science Technology Division, never could say no to his daughter. So when Abby McGinnis, a kindergarten teacher at Miller Park Elementary School in North Omaha, asked if Temme could round up a few volunteers to help out at the school’s first carnival on Nov. 4, he said no problem.

Nov 19, 2004

HIV clinic staff says message changes, but not mission

The fundamental reality for HIV/AIDS health providers, social workers, prevention specialists and patients and families of persons living with the disease can be summed up in a single word: change. That is why, in 1998, UNMC’s HIV Clinic staff began its annual “Update for HIV Care Providers and Educators.”

Nov 17, 2004

From cultural adversity to international acclaim

Guadalupe Quintanilla, Ed.D., immigrated to Brownsville, Texas, from Mexico at age 13, with no formal education and no ability to speak or read the English language. Incredibly, she was still given an English I.Q. test, scored 62 points, was officially designated as “mentally retarded” by the Brownsville School Board administration and placed in a classroom of first-graders. Dr. Quintanilla’s poignant rise from cultural adversity to three educational degrees and international acclaim recently enthralled a UNMC audience.

Nov 15, 2004