A Special Edition of Class Notes - 2023

These are the alumni who we are aware of who passed away between January 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023. If you know of someone who should be listed here, please email us or complete the form above.

Victoria Dickinson P'46             
Canton, S.D., 2/15/2023

Stanley Sterling D'47    
Madison, Wisc., 1/13/2023

Donald Ostendorf P'53             
Ravenna, Neb., 5/7/2023

Gayle Barrett P'54       
Gettysburg, Penn., 8/10/2023

Edgar Cleaver M'54       
Tulsa, Ok., 3/26/2023

Donn Crilly M'54            
Superior, Neb., 6/16/2023

James Dinsmore M'54  
Omaha, Neb., 3/22/2023

Lorraine Edmunds N'54, '61      
Sioux City, Iowa, 5/4/2023

James Pettygrove P'54
Topeka, Kansas, 3/11/2023

Ray Johansen D’55
Sacramento, Calif., April 24, 2023

William Lippstreu D’55
Sun City West, Ariz., May 23, 2023

Samuel Kais M'56          
San Jose, Calif., 1/16/2023

Donald Finks D’57
Centennial, Colo., April 29, 2023

Janet Rath N'57             
Green Valley, Ariz., 8/1/2023

John Schreiber D’57
Colorado Springs, Colo., June 4, 2023

Grace Felthousen N'58 
Plattsmouth, Neb., 7/10/2023

Donald Hammes M'58
Valley, Neb., 3/26/2023

Margaret Saathoff MT'58           
Meridian, Idaho, 5/20/2023

Richard Bush D’59
Kearney, Neb., June 20, 2023

Ronald Peterson M'59  
Omaha, Neb., 6/12/2023

Patrick Wells MS'59, GS'61        
Houston, Texas, 5/11/2023

James Bare, Sr. BS'60, M'62             
Papillion, Neb., 2/2/2023

William Earley D’60
Parker, Colo., March 25, 2023

Thomas Hinrichs M’61
Surprise, Ariz., 6/29/2023

James Peck M'61           
Scottsbluff, Neb., 5/23/2023

Hugo Uhland M'61        
Dewey, Ariz., 2/26/2023

Glen Lau M'62 
Lincoln, Neb., 8/25/2023

Robert Rasmussen M'62            
Omaha, Neb., 4/4/2023

Leon Handke M’63
Norfolk, Neb., Sept. 1, 2023

Donald Bell M'64          
Omaha, Neb., 1/9/2023

Wilma Finley N'65         
Papillion, Neb., 3/9/2023

Floyd Petzoldt D’65
Prescott, Ariz., July 24, 2023

Charles Harrold D’66
Gilbert, Ariz., Aug. 24, 2023

Larry Penney M'67          
Coeur D Alene, Idaho, 4/13/2023

Lawrence Bausch M'68
Lincoln, Neb., 8/10/2023

Robert Harry M'68        
Denver, Colo., 3/10/2023

David Lamey MS’68, Orthodontics ‘95
La Quinta, Calif., Feb. 26, 2023

James Nelson D’68
Medford, Ore., Feb. 19, 2023

Sally Smith M’68
Chesterfield, Mo., May 11, 2023

Marcia Yochum N’68
Whitewater, Wisc., April 8, 2023

Joan Mares MT'69        
Omaha, Neb., 7/12/2023

Rita Christianson N'71     
Fremont, Neb., 2/7/2023

John Hilton M'71           
San Diego, Calif., 3/6/2023

Mary Hodges N'71        
Davenport, Calif., 3/23/2023

Billy Laun D’71
Table Rock, Neb., Jan. 3, 2023

Lynn Toman N’71
Newport News, Va., March 19, 2023

Joan Norris N'72, '74    
Omaha, Neb., 6/21/2023

Dennis Hall P'73          
Columbus, Neb., 3/25/2023

William Lyons III, M'73, Family Medicine '76        
Fountain Hills, Ariz., 8/12/2023

Barbara Morton N'73   
Lincoln, Neb., 8/16/2023

Jay Burr PT'74  
Murray, Utah, 8/11/2023

Fran Houghton-Gillespie M'74  
Pensacola, Fla., 5/7/2023

Joseph Mares P'74      
Friend, Neb., 6/25/2023

Michael Grutsch PA'75 
Lincoln, Neb., 5/14/2023

Karla Manzel N’75
Plattsmouth, Neb., 4/18/2023    

Jean Rose N’75
Omaha Neb., 9/16/2023

Paul Hennegan D'76
Colorado Springs, Colo., 5/29/2023

Steven Kramer D’76
Fort Collins, Colo., June 9, 2023

Gary Glissman N'77      
Omaha, Neb., 2/22/2023

Lawrence Kaczmarek M'77        
Norman, Ok., 7/30/2023

Robert Mraule M'77, Oral Surgery '79, '96          
Salinas, Calif., 4/28/2023

David Walline D’77
Waterloo, Neb., July 15, 2023

Bill Yates M'77, Family Medicine '80      
Tulsa, Ok., 1/19/2023

Barry Tietgen PA'78      
Pierce, Neb., 9/12/2023

Patrick Woster P'78, GS'87       
Charleston, S.C., 7/15/2023

Douglas Zikmund P'78
Columbus, Neb., 2/3/2023

Thomas Cotton M’79, Internal Medicine ‘82
Bellevue, Neb., 9/16/2023

Betty Cook N'80             
Omaha, Neb., 4/12/2023

Timothy Pillen N'80      
Maryville, Mo., 4/8/2023

Sandra Weinman N'81, '90        
Bennington, Neb., 8/10/2023

Elizabeth Westover N'81, '84     
Lincoln, Neb., 7/24/2023

Marc Davies P’83
Wallingford, Penn., July 29, 2023

Judith Stern M'83, Internal Medicine '86             
Fort Myers, Fla., 5/1/2023

Jearlyn Schumacher N'84, '88    
Lincoln, Neb., 5/14/2023

Yolanda Watson N'84, '89, '03   
Bellevue, Neb., 8/22/2023

Linda Miles N'85            
Lincoln, Neb., 2/11/2023

Brenda Mumm N'85     
Geneva, Neb., 2/21/2023

Joyce Affleck N'87         
Omaha, Neb., 3/14/2023

Lisa Brandl P'91             
Omaha, Neb., 2/14/2023

Jean Jirka N'92
Omaha, Neb., 1/22/2023

Louise Bauer N'93         
Kearney, Neb., 8/6/2023

Rebecca Herink M'93   
Fremont, Neb., 2/10/2023

David Kelly GS'94           
Omaha, Neb., 9/18/2023

Karen Kroeker N'94       
Brady, Neb., 9/18/2023

Stella Martinez N'94     
Scottsbluff, Neb., 2/20/2023

Cheryl Christensen P'96             
Lincoln, Neb., 9/11/2023

Kimberly Jacobson MT'96          
Lincoln, Neb., 2/10/2023

Nancy Hanson N’98
Omaha Neb., 9/27/2023

Cade Hunzeker D'00, Pediatric Dentistry '02, '07
Elkhorn, Neb., 9/5/2023

Betty Elder N'01             
Topeka, Kansas, 2/7/2023

Matthew Latacha M'02
Omaha, Neb., 9/10/2023

Staci Rosche M'05         
Omaha, Neb., 9/19/2023

Terry Clark PA'07           
Iowa City, Iowa, 3/11/2023

Kimberly Kunkee N'13  
Modale, Iowa, 4/15/2023

Sarah Saldi N’13
Omaha Neb., 5/4/2023 

Richard Ready PA'21
Petawawa, Ontario, 1/29/2023

Nancy Waltman N’67, 78 
Lincoln, Neb., published a book, Healer, in summer 2023. The book is a tribute and a love letter to Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American doctor in the United States. A portion of the profits from its sale will be donated to restore the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center, located on the reservation. The book will be available to order through online retailers and bookstores. You can also purchase the book by emailing nwaltman2@gmail.com. Nancy recently retired after more than 50 years as a nurse, educator, researcher, and nurse practitioner. 

Sharon Redding N’68 
Omaha, Neb., recently participated in a volunteer service trip to a health clinic in Togo, West Africa for three-and-a-half weeks, supported by an Omaha-based NGO, Global Partners in Hope. She organized and offered a well-baby clinic that provided service to 350 mothers/babies, provided staff education programs on related topics, held education programs for mothers under a mango tree in front of the clinic, and delivered three babies and twins. It was a gratifying and successful experience. In October 2023, she will be in Wuhan, China, as a nursing education consultant at the School of Nursing of Wuhan University. The focus will be on building capacity in the nursing faculty and offering opportunities to improve the quality of the nursing education program in consideration of the school's interest in international accreditation. This is a program of Project HOPE, Washington DC. She previously spent two semesters (2016 and 2018) at the School teaching in both the graduate and undergraduate nursing programs.

Charles Rohren M’68 (pictured below)
Rochester, Minn., continues to staff the Internal Medicine Resident Clinic at the Mayo Clinic. He has practiced medicine for 55 years and is thankful for UNMC giving him a great start. 

Dennis Strauss M’68 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., was recognized by the UNMC College of Medicine Alumni Council with the 2023 Dedication to Student Excellence Award. 

Marion Richmond N’71 (pictured below)
Kearney, Neb., was recognized by the UNMC College of Nursing Alumni Council with the 2023 Dorothy Patach Spirit of Service Award. 

Virginia Keller P’72 
Ponca, Neb., received the Health Mart Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2023. She was recognized for her more than 50 years of dedication to the profession of pharmacy.  

G. Thomas Surber M’72, Family & General Medicine ‘75
Norfolk, Neb., was recognized by Northeast Community College with their Distinguished Service Award in January 2023.

John Walburn M’73 
Omaha, Neb., retired in 2020. He was named a Legend of Children’s Hospital at their 2022 banquet and received the Child Advocate of the Year Award from the Nebraska Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics in the fall of 2022. 

Sandra Latshaw MT’76 
Lincoln, Neb., retired on September 6, 2023, from the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions after 27 years of service. 

Kim Moeller P’77 
Lincoln, Neb., retired from the UNMC College of Pharmacy on April 1, 2023, after 43 years of service.  

Toni Ganzel M’78 (pictured below)
Louisville, Ky., was recognized by the UNMC College of Medicine Alumni Council with the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award. 

Karen Stiles CLS’78 
Gretna, Neb., retired on March 31, 2023. She celebrated by visiting her classmate, Lenora Francen in Colorado.  

Hunter Yost M’78 
Tucson, Ariz., published a peer-reviewed three-part series in the Psychiatric Times in June 2023, entitled, Cyclothymia, the Quintessential Mood Temperament...Ignored or Forgotten?  

Oladapo Ashiru GS’79 (pictured below)
Lagos, Nigeria, was elected President of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria and as Secretary-General of the International Federation of Fertility Societies for a term, 2022-2025. 

Lynne Buchanan N’79, ‘83, ‘99 
Elkhorn, Neb., received a two-year appointment to the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), and was also appointed to a two-year term on the NONPF Curricular Leadership Committee. 

Steven M. Williams M’79, Family Medicine ‘82 
Omaha, Neb., retired in 2022 after 40 years practicing family medicine at the Nebraska Methodist Physician’s Clinic. He held many leadership positions at the hospital and clinic throughout his tenure. When he joined, the clinic had 26 physicians and he helped it to grow to more than 400. He continues to be active in his garden and has been in the Nebraska Master Gardening Program at the Henry Doorly Zoo for 15 years. He is also active in the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians and will continue to serve as one of the Nebraska delegates for the American Academy of Family Physicians.  

Missy Ofe Fleck N’81, 84, ‘90 
Tecumseh, Neb., received the Donna Westmoreland Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Award from the UNMC College of Nursing in May 2023.  

Katherine Hoffman N’81 
Omaha, Neb., retired on September 1, 2023, from the UNMC College of Nursing, after 13 years of service. 

Paula Harre D’82, Orthodontics ’95, MS D’96 (pictured below)
Lincoln, Neb., retired as a clinical instructor from the UNMC College of Dentistry on April 28, 2023. She taught orthodontics residents and dental students for nearly three decades. After ten years of general dental practice in rural Nebraska, Dr. Harre started at the college in 1992 as the interim director of patient admissions. She started her orthodontic residency in 1993 and taught in the predoctoral clinic. After graduating in 1995, she continued teaching at the college. 

Peter Iwen MS’82, GS’01 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., was recognized by the UNMC Graduate Studies Alumni Council with the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award. 

Rodney Markin M’83, Pathology ‘86 
Omaha, Neb., received an Honorary Doctor of Science (ScD) from his alma mater Nebraska Wesleyan University at its 134th commencement on May 6. He serves as UNMC’s associate vice chancellor for business development and chief technology officer, a professor of pathology, and director of UNeTech Institute, while also serving as Nebraska Medicine’s vice president of business development. 

Matthew Nye P’83 (pictured below)
Huntington Beach, Calif., was recognized by the UNMC College of Pharmacy Alumni Council with the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award. 

Luanne Thorndyke M'83 (pictured below)
Shrewsbury, MA, Professor of Medicine at the T.H. Chan University of Massachusetts Medical School was recognized as the 2023 Ehrenzeller Award Recipient by the Ex-Residents Association of Pennsylvania Hospital. The Ehrenzeller Award is presented to a prior intern at Pennsylvania Hospital who has had a distinguished career in their field of medicine. Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation's first hospital, was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond. Ehrenzeller, the nation's first medical intern, was indentured at age 16 to serve for 5 years starting on June 1, 1773. 

Ann Berger N’84, GS’96 
Omaha, Neb., retired from the UNMC College of Nursing on June 30, 2023, after 37 years. She served as a professor and advanced practice nurse. 

Kim Woitaszewski N’84  
Wood River, Neb., retired in May 2021 after 44 years in nursing. She served the last 20 years as a nurse at Wood River Schools. 
 
Karen Phillips M’84 
Richland Wash., received the Milestone Award from the Energy Facility Contractors Group for chairing the Occupational Medicine Community of Practice Group of Occupational Medicine physicians across the Department of Energy (DOE). This award recognized her for her contributions leading the DOE Medical Directors at the National Laboratory and other sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Marian Newton GS’89 
Winchester, Va., was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) in October 2023. She served as a faculty member in the UNMC College of Nursing from 1980-1986. 

Barb Sittner N’90, ‘94 (pictured below)
Eagle, Neb., was recognized by the UNMC College of Nursing Alumni Council with the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award. 

Linda Smith N’91 
Omaha, Neb., joined the UNMC College of Nursing in January 2023, and teaches full time leadership and population courses.  

Amy Beyersdorf PT’95 (pictured below)
Bellevue, Neb., became interim director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Department of Physical Therapy in June 2023. 

Renee Engler M’95 
North Platte, Neb., received the Excellence in Educational Service Award from UNMC in the spring of 2023. The award recognizes a UNMC volunteer, emeritus, or adjunct faculty member who exemplifies the spirit of outstanding teaching and whose contributions are significant and lasting to the advancement of healthcare learners, healthcare education, or healthcare professions. She is an emergency medicine physician for Great Plains Health and serves as an adjunct clinical instructor in the UNMC Department of Emergency Medicine. 

Marnie Imhoff MT’95 
Bellevue, Neb., and Linsey Donner MT’04, PH’11, GS’21, together, received the Innovative Scholarship Award from the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions in May 2023. The award honors faculty who demonstrate ingenuity and creativity in the development of new methods or ideas resulting in the revision or improvement of a process or the creation of a new educational, clinical, or scholarly product. Marnie serves as the Medical Laboratory Science Associate Program Director and Assistant Professor and Linsey is the Microbiology Coordinator and an Assistant Professor. 

Bill Thorell M’96, Neurosurgery ‘02 
Omaha, Neb., was recognized by UNMC’s Interprofessional Experiential Center for Enduring Learning with an iExcel Impact Award. He serves as co-director of the Stroke and Neurovascular Center at Nebraska Medicine and as a professor in the UNMC Department of Neurosurgery.  

Claudia Chaperon N’97, GS’05 
Omaha, Neb., retired from the UNMC College of Nursing on June 30, 2023, after 27 years of service. 

LeAnn Holmes N’98, ‘14 
Lincoln, Neb., received the Ada M. Lindsey Professional Service Award for Clinical Practice in May 2023, from the UNMC College of Nursing.  

James Schroeder PA’99 
Rockaway Beach, Ore., became interim director of the Oregon Health Authority in January 2023. He most recently served as CEO of Oregon’s largest Medicaid insurer, Health Share of Oregon. Before that, he held several top positions at Kaiser Permanente, including as vice president of safety net transformation and medical director of Medicaid. And since 2013, he’s served as a medical officer in the Oregon Air National Guard. 

Beth Beam N’00, 04, GS’14 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., received the Scholar in Education Research Award from UNMC in spring 2023. The award recognizes an individual who has advanced the science of teaching and learning through research in educational pedagogy. She serves as an assistant professor in the College of Nursing. 

Roxy Goings RST’01 
Eagle, Neb., joined the Pioneer Heart Institute in September 2022.  

Melissa Florell N’03 
Kearney, Neb., successfully defended her PhD dissertation “A Critical Examination of Rural Perception of Health and Health Policy” and graduated in May 2023 from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. 

Sasha Shillcutt M’03, Anesthesiology’07, GS’16 
Blair, Neb., received the Citation of Achievement Award from her alma mater, William Jewell College, for her impact on the community of medicine and her work in gender equity. 

Geoff Talmon M’03, Pathology ‘07 (pictured below)
Waterloo, Neb., received the 2023 University of Nebraska President’s Excellence Award for Teaching. It is the most prestigious honor for faculty members who have demonstrated meritorious and sustained records of excellence and creativity in teaching. He was also recognized by the UNMC College of Medicine Alumni Council with the 2023 Early Career Achievement Award. 

AnneMarie Devoll-Zabrocki N’04, GS’15 
Bellevue, Neb., was selected by UNMC’s iEXCEL team for Honorable Mention for their Teaching Technologies Award. She was recognized in February 2023 for her innovative approach to developing a mobile application highlighting various Pediatric Cardiac Abnormalities for interprofessional education by adopting and creating 3D imagery. 

Majeda El-Banna GS’04 (pictured below)
Oakton, Va., was recognized by the UNMC College of Nursing Alumni Council with the 2023 Nursing Excellence Award. 

Jennifer Liu M’04 (pictured below, with her husband) 
Omaha, Neb., and her husband Howard Liu received the Life Savers Award from Nebraska Cures in spring 2023. She serves as an assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Family Medicine and practices at Nebraska Medicine’s Millard Health Clinic. Howard is chair of the UNMC Department of Psychiatry and a professor in the UNMC College of Medicine. He is chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s Council on Communications and an innovator in the professional use of social media in health care. 

Nichole Regan N’04, ‘11 
Gretna, Neb., was named Assistant Director of HIV Programs at the Nebraska Medicine Specialty Care Center. 

Tara Stull N’04 (pictured below)
Bridgeport, Neb., works for Air Methods in North Platte as a flight nurse and flies on rotor-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. 

Jodi Kreiling GS’05 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., was recognized by the UNMC Graduate Studies Alumni Council with the 2023 Mid-Career Achievement Award. 

Jill Selzle PA’05 
Omaha, Neb., joined Methodist Health in January 2023 in their cardiothoracic surgery department.  

Stacia Troshynski Brown PT’06  
Kansas City, Mo., received the 2023 Award for Academic Excellence from APTA Kansas. 

Ben Swanson GS’07, M’08, Pathology ‘12 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., an associate professor in the UNMC Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology was tapped to be the department’s new director of pathology informatics and digital innovation. 

Stacie Christensen PT’08 
Kearney, Neb., was recognized by UNMC’s Interprofessional Experiential Center for Enduring Learning with an iExcel Academic Award. She serves as an assistant professor in the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions Department of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences.  

Ross Mathiasen M’10 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., was recently tapped to lead a new initiative where Nebraska Medicine physicians will provide care to Nebraska Athletics’ student-athletes. 

Benjamin Teply M’10 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., received a 2022 New Investigator Award from UNMC. He serves as an associate professor in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology and Hematology.  

Justin Frederick PH’11 
Omaha, Neb., was recently appointed Deputy Health Director of the Douglas County Health Department. 

Monica Sullivan PA’11 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., joined the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions, in the Physician Assistant program as an assistant professor in the summer of 2023. She and her husband have two children, Conor and Emily. She enjoys all things outdoors and spending time with family and their golden retriever, Shep.  

Rachel Daly P’12 (pictured below)
Elm Creek, Neb., received the 2023 Nebraska Small Business Person of the Year Award by the United States Small Business Administration. She opened Innovative Rx Compounding Pharmacy in September 2019, recognizing a need in the Kearney community to provide personalized medications through the unique process of compounding. By compounding medicine, she and her team can utilize and manipulate existing chemicals into new forms of drugs to suit a patient or provider’s preference and unique needs. To date, Innovative Rx remains one of the few compounding pharmacies available in Nebraska. 

 
Tiffany Moore GS’12 
Elkhorn, Neb., was recently accepted into the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing Fellowship. In May 2023, she received the Virginia Tilden Leadership Development Award from the UNMC College of Nursing.  

Scott Sanderson CP’12 
Omaha, Neb., received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions in May 2023. The award recognizes a faculty member who is outstanding in the areas of directing learning, advising students, facilitating human relations, and promoting the improvement of educational quality. He serves as Clinical Perfusion Program Director, Staff Perfusionist, and Adjunct Assistant Professor. He was also recognized by UNMC’s Interprofessional Experiential Center for Enduring Learning with an iExcel Clinical Innovation Award.  

Lisa Bilek GS’13 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., was recognized by the UNMC Graduate Studies Alumni Council with the 2023 Early Career Achievement Award. 

Armando De Alba Rosales PH’13 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb. received the Physician of the Year Award from the National Hispanic Medical Association. He was also recognized with the Spirit of Community Service Award from UNMC’s Faculty Senate. He serves as the Assistant Dean of diversity, equity and inclusion, and student programs in the UNMC College of Medicine, and as an assistant professor. 

Frank Lin M’13 
Madison, Wis., received a Wisconsin Urological Society Pilot Grant for his project titled, “Improving Antibiotic Stewardship in Patients Undergoing Urodynamic Testing”. He specializes in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. 

Amber Schulze N’13 
Alliance, Neb., joined Box Butte General Hospital in February 2023 as an orthopedic nurse practitioner. 

Brett Burton PT’14 
McCook, Neb., and his wife Candice Burton PT’15, joined Southwest Nebraska Physical Therapy in McCook in late 2022. Most recently they moved from Arizona. He has worked at St. Lukes Health System in Boise and with EXOS in Phoenix. He spent five years working in sports medicine and spent the last three years taking these concepts to aging adults and those living with chronic conditions. He founded One Harmonic Motion to provide blood flow restriction (BFR) education to health and fitness professionals and Somavive to provide online wellness services utilizing BFR. Both businesses will continue to operate from McCook. Her previous work experience includes St. Lukes Health System in Boise and Honor- Health. She spent seven years working in outpatient orthopedics. The couple has three boys, ages four, two, and eight months.  

Joseph Lamar M’14 
Charlotte, N.C., joined the FryeCare Lung Center in Hickory, N.C., as a board-certified pulmonologist and critical care specialist in February 2023.  

Kristin Wakin M’14, Anesthesiology ‘18 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., received an Outstanding Teaching Award from UNMC’s Faculty Senate in 2023. She serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology in the UNMC College of Medicine.  

 
Matthew Dorwart GS’15, PH‘16, M’20, Family Medicine ‘23 
Omaha, Neb., and his wife, Brooke Dorwart PA’17, welcomed a baby boy on November 19, 2022. 

Kelli Eihusen PT’15 (pictured below)
Lincoln, Neb., was awarded the professional designation of board-certified clinical specialist in oncology physical therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties of the American Physical Therapy Association. She is currently the only physical therapist within the state of Nebraska who has achieved this recognition. Throughout her career, she has gained experience in both pediatric and adult cancer care. Currently, Kelli works at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital.  

Kasey Mellott PA’16 
Glenwood, Iowa, joined the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions as an assistant professor in the physician assistant program. She also is employed full-time in a rural emergency/hospitalist setting in southwest Iowa.  

Marcia Shade GS’16 
Omaha, Neb., was recently selected to receive the 2023 Excellence in Nursing Award – Older Adult Award, from the American Society for Pain Management Nursing. 

Kimberly Clawson M’17 
Bellevue, Neb., was recently selected to lead Nebraska’s first forensic psychiatry fellowship program at the Sarpy County Correctional Center. Sarpy County and UNMC partnered to create this one-of-a-kind mental health program that both treats inmates and establishes a new pipeline of mental health experts. She completed her forensic psychiatry fellowship in 2023 at the University of California, Los Angeles. She also trained at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C, where she served as outpatient chief resident in 2020-21 and completed a consultation-liaison fellowship in 2022. 

Wael ElRayes GS’17, MS’20 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., was recognized by the UNMC College of Public Health Alumni Council with the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award.  

Monica Krause M’17 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., joined the UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences as an assistant professor and Nebraska Medicine as a neurologist in September 2023. 

Leah Swanson PH’17 
Grants Pass, Ore., was recognized by the UNMC College of Public Health Alumni Council with the 2023 Early Career Achievement Award. 

Sara Vitito N’17, ‘21 
Manning, Iowa, joined Manning Regional Healthcare Center in March 2022 where she saw patients in the Family Practice Clinic and the emergency room. 

Kathleen Borghoff M’18 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., recently joined the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine Division of Nephrology as an assistant professor and Nebraska Medicine as a nephrologist. 

Kate Grafel PH’16, ‘18 (pictured below)
Omaha, Neb., was recognized by the UNMC College of Public Health Alumni Council with the 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award. 

Jordan Pieper PH’18 
Omaha, Neb., married Ashlyn Pudenz, on May 20, 2023.  

Alyson Hanish N’19 
Omaha, Neb., received the Pennie Z. Davis Faculty Research Award in May 2023, from the UNMC College of Nursing.  

Rachel Keiser N’19 
Hildreth, Neb., joined Phelps Medical Group as an APRN in February 2023.  

Echohawk Lefthand PH’19 
Omaha, Neb., received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from Inclusive Communities in August 2023. 

Dane Wilson MS M’19 
Wichita, Kan., recently completed medical school at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine and has entered residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita Family Medicine Residency Program at Ascension Via Christi. 

Madeleine Wilson M’19 
Valentine, Neb., joined the Cherry County Clinic and Hospital in early 2023 and specializes in family medicine. She and her husband, Eric, have two dogs; Lucy and Ralph. In her free time, she enjoys baking, exploring and hiking, walking the dogs, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.  

Marissa Hardin PH’23 
Omaha, Neb., joined the CDC Office of Policy, Performance and Evaluation as an Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health Fellow in September 2023. 

Alyx Jorgensen PT’23 (pictured below)
Griswold, Iowa, was recently named the recipient of the national Mary McMillan Scholarship award, considered the most prestigious award given to a student by the American Physical Therapy Association and placing her as one of only a few students awarded it from among ~273 physical therapy programs in the U.S.  

Shalea Cotton GS’22 
Omaha, Neb., joined the UNMC College of Nursing in January 2023, and teaches full time leadership and population courses as well as an accelerated course.  

Rohan Khazanchi M’22 
Boston, Ma., married Kriti Prasad in May 2023. 

Jonathon Korth PA’22 
Humphrey, Neb., joined the staff at Merrick Medical Center in Central City in March 2023.  

Rachel Kunkle GS’22 
Elkhorn, Neb., joined the UNMC College of Nursing in January 2023 and teaches full-time clinicals in the accelerated program.  

Shannon Stuhlmiller PA’22 
Albion, Neb., joined the Boone County Health Center in March 2023.  

Jessica Davies PH’21 
Hemingford, Neb., received the 2023 Health Equity Champion Award from the Public Health Association of Nebraska. 

Jessie Poskochil GC’21 
Ashland, Neb., is marrying Connor Novotny on October 14, 2023, and is looking forward to a genetic counseling reunion with her classmates. 

Paige Haberkon MLS’20 (pictured below)
Kearney, Neb., joined the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions as an instructor in the Medical Laboratory Science Program in the fall of 2023. She has worked at the CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney since her graduation and will continue to work there when she can.