A Career Dedicated to Infection Prevention, Clinical Excellence, and Academic Leadership
The Division of Infectious Diseases is delighted to celebrate Mark E. Rupp, MD, who received the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Senior Scholarship Award during the opening plenary session of IDWeek 2026. The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology over a distinguished career.
For those who have worked with Dr. Rupp, this honor feels especially fitting.
Since joining UNMC in 1992, Dr. Rupp has helped shape the Division of Infectious Diseases through his scholarship, leadership, and commitment to advancing patient care. He served as chief of the division for 14 years and currently serves as Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine.
Throughout his career, Dr. Rupp has been a leader in healthcare epidemiology and infection prevention. He founded UNMC’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in 2004, served as president of SHEA in 2009, led our institution and community through the COVID-19 pandemic, and has contributed extensively to the scientific literature, authoring more than 200 peer-reviewed publications.
But those who know Dr. Rupp best often speak first about his generosity as a mentor, sponsor, collaborator, and colleague. His guidance has influenced countless faculty, fellows, residents, and students, and his leadership has helped build the strong, collegial culture that defines our division today.
The SHEA Senior Scholarship Award recognizes a career dedicated to advancing the field of healthcare epidemiology. For the UNMC community, and for our division specifically, it is also an opportunity to celebrate a leader whose impact has been felt far beyond his own accomplishments.
Please join us in congratulating Mark E. Rupp, MD, on this well-deserved recognition. We are proud to see him honored on the national stage at IDWeek 2026.
Congratulations, Dr. Rupp, and thank you for your decades of leadership, mentorship, and service to UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, and the infectious diseases community.
Photos Courtesy Sara Bares, MD and Carlos del Rio, MD, and IDWeek Official Photography