Category: Uncategorized

UNMC Staff Members Discuss How to Deal with the Stress of Covid-19

Dr. Ryan Edwards speaks with the Omaha World-Herald and shares tips on how to help kids deal with the stress of Covid-19. https://www.omaha.com/eedition/sunrise/articles/tips-to-help-kids-deal-with-stress-from-the-coronavirus/article_a0dcd02a-4808-5c5d-9318-980b687e2993.html Dr. David Cates speaks with the American Psychology Association on to address anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges among people being held at a national quarantine center. https://www.apa.org/news/apa/2020/03/psychologist-covid-19   Dr. Steven […]

Apr 2, 2020

Sparrock hired as manager of Adult PES

Nebraska Medicine has made a key hire as it prepares for the opening of the Adult PES unit in August 2020 With the Adult Psychiatric Emergency Services program starting this fall, Nebraska Medicine has hired Jennifer Sparrock to manage the unit. “Jen is a seasoned leader with extraordinary experience as the lead of an Assertive […]

Mar 2, 2020

Spotlight: Malcolm McGruder

Community Service Tech Malcolm is a graduate of UNL with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. He is part of the Behavioral Health Connections team which just celebrated its first year of service. Prior to his time with Behavioral Health Connections, Malcolm held several roles working with people: direct support […]

Mar 2, 2020

Faculty members honored by APA

The American Psychiatric Association has honored three Department of Psychiatry faculty members by naming each of them an APA Distinguished Fellow. Faculty members Dr. Sheritta Strong, Dr. Steven Wengel and adjunct faculty member Dr. Martin Wetzel were named Distinguished Fellows. According to the APA, the Distinguished Fellowship is awarded to outstanding psychiatrists who have made […]

Mar 2, 2020

Research Department welcomes speaker, new mentor

  A leader in behavioral health support for South Korean students visited UNMC last month to discuss the differences between mental health treatment and assessment between her home country and the United States. Dr. UnSun Chung spoke with members of the Department of Psychiatry on January 21. Department of Psychiatry Research Director Dr. Soonjo Hwang […]

Feb 4, 2020

First Reba Benschoter Inspirational Leadership awards handed out

On Saturday, Jan. 25, the UNMC Dept. of Psychiatry handed out its first Reba Benschoter Inspirational Leadership awards to five members of the department’s leadership team, who went above and beyond their duties in 2019. Dr. Daniel Gih, Dr. Ken Zoucha, Celeste Akers, Phoebe Gearhart, and Debi Pittock were the first recipients of the award […]

Feb 4, 2020

Five honored with “The Rock” citizenship award

On Saturday, January 25, the UNMC Department of Psychiatry presented the second annual William H. Roccaforte Citizenship awards to members of the staff who exemplify a spirit of service, extraordinary teamwork, and the passion for going above and beyond each day in service of our mission. Dr. Lauren Edwards, Mark Aksamit, Julie Griffin, Robin Peterson, […]

Feb 4, 2020

Spotlight: Julie Griffin

Registered Nurse Julie has worked in psychiatry since 1985 with the last 11 at Nebraska Medicine. The Omaha native was one of five members of the Department of Psychiatry to be awarded the William H. Roccaforte Citizenship Award. Why did you choose to become a nurse? Growing up, my friend’s mother was a night nurse. […]

Feb 4, 2020

Faculty and staff take on new roles in 2019

The UNMC Department of Psychiatry promoted outstanding new leaders in 2019. The year started with interim chair Dr. Howard Liu being named permanent chair on January 23 by Dean Bradley Britigan and CEO Dr. Jim Linder. New clinical leaders in the department included:  David Cates named as Vice Chair of Clinical Services and continuing in […]

Jan 7, 2020

Psychiatric Emergency Services approved by Nebraska Medicine Board

In fall 2020, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine will open an Adult Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES) to help patients experiencing a mental health crisis. The Adult PES will be a separate emergency room staffed by psychiatrists, advanced practice professionals, psychiatrically-trained nurses, psychiatric social workers, and patient care technicians.  The state-of-the-art facility will be a 24/7 and […]

Dec 20, 2019