Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library
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University of Nebraska Medical Center
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McGoogan News

Let’s Celebrate Dr. McGoogan’s 124th Birthday!

Mark your calendars! Head to Level 6 of the library (WHM) on Tuesday, August 13 from noon–1 p.m. for a sweet treat celebrating the library’s namesake, Dr. Leon S. McGoogan. Library staff will be dishing up slices of birthday cake for the UNMC community (while supplies last). 

Dr. McGoogan became an obstetrician and delivered around 9,000 babies during his career. He served as chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, from 1950-55, and again from 1961-62. For nearly sixty years he was an instructor in OB/GYN, and in his later years was Senior Consultant to the department.  

He served the library for decades and upon his death in 1993, left a substantial fund to endow library operations. Not only did Dr. McGoogan lead the way in fundraising and monetary donations himself, but he also donated his own rare book collection and contributed his knowledge through many lectures on rare books in the collection and on the history of medicine.  

Dr. McGoogan was known around Omaha for his distinctive personalized Nebraska license plates, which said “STORK.” 

Learn more about Dr. McGoogan in his oral history interview. 

Honoring Laura Bashus’ Dedication to McGoogan Library and UNMC

Laura Bashus, McGoogan Library’s business operations administrator, will retire at the end of July after 30 years with UNMC.  

She began her career at UNMC on July 25, 1994, with the College of Medicine in the Preventive and Societal Medicine department, which transitioned to the College of Public Health in 2007. As administrator, she facilitated the administrative and physical move of the department and various other entities into the newly formed college. She also provided fiscal and administrative oversight for business and human resource functions.  

Laura also worked closely with UNMC Facilities on coordination of the new construction and move into the Maurer Center for Public Health building, prior to an accreditation site review by the Council on Education for Public Health. 

In November 2014, she joined the McGoogan Health Sciences Library. Laura has seen the library through many space updates and was indispensable during the 2020 library renovation. She helped the team construct refreshing, collaborative environments for faculty, staff and students to perform their best work. 

While at the library, Laura worked on internal and external reports, compliance oversight, growing the team, grants and partnerships, tens of thousands of financial transactions and had a hand in so many projects. 

Upon reflecting on her time at UNMC, Laura said, “It’s been fun to traverse throughout campus through the years and learn of all the little nooks, shortcuts and tunnels.” 

Numerous library staff confirm that Laura is “expert level” when it comes to shortcuts and tunnels throughout campus. 

Congratulations on 30 years at UNMC and best wishes on your new adventures in retirement, Laura! 

Excellence on Display: McGoogan Library Celebrates Faculty Promotions

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of three McGoogan Library faculty members to the rank of Associate Professor, effective July 1, 2024. 

  • Carrie Meyer, MA, MA 
  • Erin J. Torell, MA 
  • Danielle Westmark, MLIS 

Carrie, Erin and Danielle documented their achievements in three areas and presented their stories of accomplishments. Their packets of application were evaluated by external peer reviewers, then reviewed and recommended by a library committee and the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. The Chancellor completed the final review. 

The three areas of professional emphasis include: (1) teaching/librarianship, (2) research and other scholarly activities, and (3) service (including administration) to the University (including all subunits), peer professionals and the public. 

Broadly, McGoogan Health Sciences Library’s mission includes educating undergraduate and graduate students; supporting research programs designed to advance health sciences education and understanding of health and disease, as well as advance basic scientific knowledge and educational methods; and supporting the provision of comprehensive patient care. 

For promotion to Associate Professor, it is expected that significant achievement is made in at least two areas of academic endeavor and competence demonstrated in at least one other area of emphasis. This record of accomplishment must document an emerging reputation of regional or national scope in the candidate’s academic discipline. 

Congratulations, Carrie, Erin and Danielle on this career milestone! 

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Get to Know the Library’s New Associate Dean: Katie Bishop

We are happy to welcome Katie Bishop to McGoogan Library as the Associate Dean for Education and Research Services. Katie began her position on July 1. She comes to UNMC from the UNO Criss Library, where she served as Director of Research, Access, & Instruction Services.

Katie has recently presented on strategies for supporting new initiatives and is currently in the final stages of a research project assessing Criss Library’s OER grant program. She was selected to join the summer 2024 cohort of the Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Katie holds an MA in American Studies from the University of Iowa and an MS in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois.

“I thrive in mission-driven roles and am excited to work with all of my wonderful McGoogan colleagues to support the library and campus mission!” said Katie.

In her spare time, Katie is active with her dogs. She also admits to watching “an unhealthy amount of reality TV.”

When asked about her favorite space in the library Katie said, “The overlook to the Wigton Heritage Center. I love being able to see the original facade from Level 6!”

Welcome to the library team, Katie! We’re happy to have you on board.

View the library’s directory.

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