Category: Uncategorized

National Medical Association honors UNMC Addiction Psychiatrist

The American Medical Association Foundation (AMAF) has honored Alëna Balasanova, MD, FAPA, with the AMA Foundation Award for Health Education. According to a release announcing the awards, judges said Dr. Balasanova has demonstrated leadership in addiction medicine and psychiatry and has built a legacy at the University of Nebraska. While there, she has developed an […]

Feb 8, 2021

Spotlight: Mutum helps in various ways

Before joining the Department of Psychiatry in June 2013, Lea worked for 10 years at the Creighton Cardiac Unit as an Inpatient Rounds Coordinator. What are your roles/duties with the department? I have several roles in the department including administrative support for Dr. Ashish Sharma, Inpatient Division Director, Dr. Kenneth Zoucha, Addiction Division Director, and […]

Feb 8, 2021

New committee on diversity and inclusion appoints co-chairs

This fall, the Department of Psychiatry asked its members to join a committee tasked with enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the department.  It is open to all department members including faculty, staff, and trainees.  More than 35 members have participated in the meetings and the majority of the leadership team is in attendance. One […]

Dec 4, 2020

Dr. Sheehan acquires grant for Beyond the Blowback program

Meghan Sheehan, MD, received a $3,000 grant from the Nebraska Medicine Guild to develop her Beyond the Blowback program. The program will support victims of gang violence who have persistent psychiatric and medical needs. “I have a longstanding interest in this population, and have seen repeatedly that when we move past dismissing these points as […]

Dec 3, 2020

“UNMC Psychiatry thanks our veterans, active-duty military, and their family on Veterans Day! Thanks for your courage and sacrifice.”

On Veterans Day, the Department of Psychiatry is proud to highlight many current and former US military members who are making a difference.  “The UNMC Department of Psychiatry thanks its veterans, active-duty military and their families on Veterans Day,” said Department of Psychiatry Chair Dr. Howard Liu. “Thank you for your courage and sacrifice.” When […]

Nov 11, 2020

Dr. Daniel Gih named Distinguished Fellow

UNMC Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Daniel Gih, MD, was named a Distinguished Fellow by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) this month during the organization’s virtual annual meeting. This honor is given to psychiatrists in recognition for their high level of commitment, experience, and dedication. The Distinguished Fellow designation (DFAACAP) is the […]

Nov 2, 2020

Spotlight: Kira Hannon

Kira Hannon joined the department last winter as a medical assistant. For all of her hard work in changing some workflow processes and streamlining techniques for the care staff, Kira received the Extraordinary Medical Assistant Award. 1. Why did you apply to be a medical assistant at Nebraska Medicine? I applied to be a medical […]

Nov 2, 2020

Dr. Salzbrenner honored for software to help with prior authorization

UNMC Adult Psychiatrist Stephen Salzbrenner, M.D., was honored at this year’s UNeMed Innovation Awards as the Startup of the Year for his software Breezmed. The Innovation Awards recognize faculty, students, and staff within the University of Nebraska system that invented a new technology, licensed an invention or secured intellectual property rights during the previous fiscal […]

Nov 2, 2020

UNMC Psychiatrists split time with Community Alliance

UNMC psychiatrists Riley Machal, MD, and Melissa O’Dell, MD spend much of their clinical time with the ACT team at Community Alliance. Community Alliance is a mental health agency which offers a wide array of services geared toward helping adults with serious mental illness thrive in the community, including Omaha’s only ACT team. ACT (Assertive […]

Sep 4, 2020

Nursing grant will bring mental health care to rural communities

Members of the Department of Psychiatry will use part of a $1.5 million grant, acquired by the UNMC College of Nursing, to make mental health services accessible for vulnerable adults and children in rural and urban Nebraska communities. The grant will establish partnerships with two primary care clinics to provide services to underserved populations — […]

Sep 4, 2020