{"id":131311,"date":"2026-04-13T12:03:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T17:03:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=131311"},"modified":"2026-04-13T12:03:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T17:03:59","slug":"message-from-the-chair-of-the-department-of-internal-medicine-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/04\/13\/message-from-the-chair-of-the-department-of-internal-medicine-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Message from the Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

I am honored to be assuming the role of chair of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. This is a homecoming for me having started my academic career as a gastroenterologist at UNMC.  The department is strong in all facets of its tripartite mission under the outstanding leadership of Dr. Mark Rupp and the late Dr. Debra Romberger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assuming the chair is a daunting prospect, given the legacy of distinguished leaders who have come before, including Dr. Mike Sorrell. He was the quintessential triple threat: an exceptional clinician who launched the liver transplant program, a world-renowned researcher in alcoholic liver disease and a mentor to the next generation of physicians. I was personally mentored by him. His outstanding care and stature helped provide funds that have revolutionized UNMC. Thus, we celebrate the inaugural Sorrell lectureship as an important tribute to his legacy and contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching the next generation of physicians, especially for Nebraska, is a major focus of the department. One of our preeminent educators is Dr. Amy Cannella from rheumatology who was recently recognized by the UNMC Faculty Senate with the Outstanding Teacher Award. Our department\u2019s commitment to education is also evident in its excellent match outcomes, both in student interest in internal medicine and the quality of their placements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The robust research mission in the department is epitomized by Dr. Tate Johnson, one of the next generation of stars winning the 2026 Joseph P. and Harriet K. Gilmore Distinguished New Investigator Award. And Wenxian Zhou (mentored by Dr. Ted Mikuls) received the Rheumatology Research Foundation’s Future Physician Scientist Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cutting-edge clinical programs in our department are highlighted by the article about the work of Drs. Shane Tsai and Tammy Wichman from the cardiovascular medicine and pulmonary divisions, respectively. Our department\u2019s multidisciplinary and collaborative approach was also featured in an article about a patient of Dr. Sara May in allergy. Another notable facet of the department\u2019s clinical programs is its leadership in biopreparedness, highlighted by UNMC\u2019s participation in Project ECHO under the guidance of Drs. Nada Fadul, Angela Hewlett and James Lawler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, since faculty is the most important asset of the department and university, their well-being is critical. Dr. Sarah Richards, a hospitalist who is also the senior medical director of clinician experience for Nebraska Medicine, reported that UNMC hospitalists experience lower rates of burnout than the national average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary, I am honored to be the new chair of this outstanding department as it ascends to new heights of excellence in the clinical, educational and research realms.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I am honored to be assuming the role of chair of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. This is a homecoming for me having started my academic career as a gastroenterologist at UNMC.  The department is strong in all facets of its tripartite mission under the outstanding leadership of Dr. Mark Rupp and the late […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":127671,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-131311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","department-internal-medicine","department-internal-medicine-newsletter","author_override-hemant-roy-md"],"yoast_head":"\nMessage from the Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I am honored to be assuming the role of chair of the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine. 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