Ken Zoucha, MD, Director of the Addiction Division, has been named a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (DFASAM).
Dr. Zoucha arrived at the Department of Psychiatry in 2018 and has been instrumental in its growth. According to the ASAM website, earning the designation of an ASAM Fellow demonstrates a notable commitment to addiction medicine. He easily met the criteria.
Dr. Zoucha is a recognized leader in addiction medicine for the State of Nebraska. He is board-certified in Pediatrics and Addiction Medicine. Dr. Zoucha has extensive experience and specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders in adolescents and has served as medical director for several youth secure care placement facilities throughout the state, serving youth with a broad array of experiences, backgrounds, and trauma.
Dr. Zoucha is a clinical educator for medical students, residents, and other healthcare providers. Responding to the escalating national need, he championed the establishment of an Addiction Medicine fellowship at UNMC. He also led the development of an innovative executive addiction fellowship. Through this work, he enjoys helping learners become the best clinicians, educators, and advocates.
“It’s nice to be recognized for the hard work that we, as a division, do here at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine,” Dr. Zoucha said.
As Dr. Zoucha builds the division with the help of Addiction Medicine Medical Director Claudia Moore, MD, and Intensive Outpatient Medical Director Sara Zachman, MD, MPH, he hopes that being named a Distinguished Fellow will bring recognition to his team.
“The hope is that this recognition could help improve our standing in the country and maybe improve our recruiting for physicians to work in our department or division, and more addiction fellows as well,” he said.
Howard Liu, MD, MBA, Department of Psychiatry Chair, said the recognition will be a “great platform to help UNMC recruit faculty members with addiction backgrounds.”
Dr. Zoucha is one of 12 members to be named a Distinguished Fellow. In total, there are approximately 100 Distinguished Fellows among the more than 3,000 doctors who attend the annual conference.
Dr. Zoucha’s awards include the Reba Benschoter Department of Psychiatry Inspirational Leadership Award, Volunteer Faculty Clerkship Teaching Award from the UNMC Department of Pediatrics, and Commitment to Excellence in Leadership from the Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association.