On Veterans Day and throughout the year, the Department of Psychiatry is proud to highlight many current and former U.S. military members making a difference at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.
Jacob Dines, MD, is a first-year psychiatry resident, and served as a flight surgeon in U.S. Navy before arriving at UNMC. He said working in isolated areas with limited mental health resources, shaped his approach to psychiatry.
“I learned how to step up as a first line of support for our service members and gained a lot from the amazing mentorship I had,” he said. “Those experiences taught me the value of both independence and teamwork—lessons I carry with me in my work today.”
Victoria Slaughter is a new medical receptionist in the Psychiatry Clinic. She served in the U.S. Air Force and experienced multiple deployments, which gained her a unique perspective on mental health challenges.
“These experiences have helped me develop a deep sense of empathy for individuals facing various mental health conditions,” she said. “I recognize that many people struggle with silent battles that are often not openly discussed, and I believe it’s essential to approach everyone with kindness and understanding.”
Stephen Salzbrenner, MD, said he joined the U.S. Navy because he loved his country, and the U.S. Navy would pay for medical school. Dr. Salzbrenner said his favorite memory during his time in the U.S. Navy was serving in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“My military service equipped me with leadership skills, flexibility and diverse experiences which have all positively contributed to my personal and professional life. In my professional life as a psychiatrist it has allowed me to meet some great mentors and has given me an ability to work well under pressure and in diverse situations,” he said.
Along with the ten Department of Psychiatry faculty and staff members with military service, there are also many spouses of employees who have served.
Here is the list of faculty, staff and spouses who have served in the Armed Forces.
Natalie Burd, CNA – U.S. Army Reserve
Douglas Coffey, RN – U.S. Army Reserves
Jacob Dines, MD – U.S. Navy
Matthew Egbert – U.S. Air Force Reserve, U.S. Army National Guard
Anthony Finigan – U.S. Navy
Logan Ford, MD – U.S. Army
Laura Fuller, PA-C – U.S. Air Force
Stacey Herbster, MD – Army National Guard, Army Reserves
Luke LeBrun, LIMHP – Army National Guard, Army Reserves
Matthew Kelly, MD – U.S. Navy
Stephen Salzbrenner, MD – U.S. Navy
Victoria Slaughter – U.S. Air Force
Nicholas S. Thorton – U.S. Air Force
Nicole Trofholz – U.S. Army National Guard