Nebraska Medicine

This is where people come to do the most rewarding work of their careers. Inspired by Nebraska Medicine’s impact in the community, and empowered by great opportunity,colleagues of all backgrounds work together to achieve the extraordinary. Join us today: https://lnkd.in/g9qK4xZs

We are proud to team up with University of Nebraska Medical Center to be the first ever PanCAN City Sponsor for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. We stand with PanCAN in their mission to improve the lives of everyone impacted by pancreatic cancer. Read more about pancreatic cancer risk factors, symptoms and treatment options here: https://bit.ly/3Xur1QD. #PanCan #pancreaticcancer #pancreaticcancerawareness #NebraskaMed #NebraskaMedicine #seriousmedicineextraordinarycare

“I think of myself as a nurse, and I always will.” That’s the hard part of retiring after 44 years at the bedside. But that doesn’t mean Kari Pierson isn’t excited about what’s coming next. She’s looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren, Ezra (left) and Theo, and her children (left to right), Maggie, Matthew and Melissa. Kari, who works in the Surgical ICU at Nebraska Medical Center, officially retires July 7. Her husband of 42 years, Michael, will retire soon, too. The couple plans to travel, spend time with friends and volunteer. The things she won’t miss include the physical toll of 12-hour shifts. But what she’ll definitely miss include the caring for patients and her amazing team. “I’ve met so many amazing people over the years and we’re still friends,” Kari says. “Patients send you Christmas cards and retirement party invitations. I treasure those relationships.” “I have known Kari for over 35 years, she has been a great coach and mentor to a countless number of RNs and CNAs, myself included,” says Chad Himmelberg, SICU nurse manager. “Kari’s retirement is bittersweet for our team. On one hand, we are excited and wish her well, on the other, we will greatly miss her.” “The nurses at Nebraska Medicine provide expert care,” Kari says. “The future is in good hands.”

"The reason we started it was because our dad really wasn't home a lot during this holiday because he was busy taking care of those eye related firework injuries." Before you light those sparklers or parachutes with your family, pick up free safety glasses from a nonprofit started by the children of Dr. Rao Chundury. This story from KMTV 3 News Now explains the dangers of fireworks and details the locations where you can find the glasses. https://bit.ly/45K8Dp3 #Fireworks #fireworkssafety #safetyglasses #eyecare #NebraskaMed #NebraskaMedicine #seriousmedicineextraordinarycare #togetherextraordinary

Celebrating the gift of life by living life! This is Doug Markham, marking the two-year anniversary of a life-saving liver transplant. Doug climbed to the top of Colorado’s Quandary Peak with his wife, Mindy. Doug also recognized the Nebraska Medicine transplant team on the sign he proudly held at the summit. “They treated me and my family with such kindness,” Doug says. “Nebraska Med will always be a huge part of my story. I get to be a father, husband, son, brother, (and now a mountain climber 😉) because of the selflessness of an organ donor, his family, and the expert skill of Nebraska Med SOTU (Solid Organ Transplant Unit) nurses and doctors.” Doug, a self-proclaimed flatlander from northeast Kansas, isn’t done yet. He plans to climb a total of 14 of Colorado’s 14,000+ peaks. Congratulations, Doug. Keep climbing!

Protect your eyes this fireworks season with a FREE pair of safety glasses. The glasses are available at several Nebraska Medicine locations. The protective eyewear was provided by Eye on July – a nonprofit Dr. Rao Chundury started with his family to prevent July 4th eye injuries. This year their goal is to see zero eye injuries in the state of Nebraska. Rishi and Reeya Chundury delivered all the glasses this week! Here are the locations and hours where you can pick up some up while supplies last: Truhlsen Eye Institute 3902 Leavenworth St. Omaha NE 68105 Monday through Friday 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Truhlsen Eye Institute at Village Pointe Health Center 110 N. 175th St. Omaha, NE 68118 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chalco Health Center 8343 S. 168th Ave. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Weekends, 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Family Medicine at Bellevue Health Center 2510 Bellevue Medical Center Drive, Suite 200 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Weekends, 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Fontenelle Health Center 5005 Ames Ave. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Papillion Health Center 249 Olson Dr #111 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. #eyesafety #fourthofjuly #eyeonjuly #NebraskaMed #NebraskaMedicine #seriousmedicineextraordinarycare

Exercise isn’t usually a picnic. But for patients who do cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation at Bellevue Medical Center, there’s a picnic every day. At tiny table, covered with a red and white checked tablecloth. Designed specifically for squirrels, bunnies and birds. “It makes the time go faster,” says Bob Decker, who has been doing pulmonary rehabilitation for about three months. “It’s a nice distraction. It shows these people care. They care about the animals—they care about you. It’s enjoyable.” Patients peer out at the wildlife while pacing on treadmills, climbing step machines and stretching with their therapists. The table is even set with doll-size dishes, each overflowing with peanuts and corn. “We are lucky to have big windows in our cardiac/pulmonary rehab area looking out into a small nature area for our patients,” says Jesse Paulson, cardiac rehab operations coordinator. “They are always curious about the variety of animals we see out there and love watching them. We thought this would be something fun for our patients, while also distracting them from the exercise they are doing.” On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the feeding area’s biggest fan takes his spot right behind the window. His name is Zechariah. He is a diabetic therapy dog for patient Ira Olson. “He’s really focused. He just watches them,” Ira says. “He wants to play with them, but he knows he can’t.” In six months of pulmonary rehab at the hospital, Ira says he’s breathing better. He’s reduced the amount of oxygen he needs by half. “It’s wonderful. I enjoy it,” Ira says. “And he (Zechariah) looks forward to coming.” With his ears perked up, Zechariah occasionally leaves his post at the window to check on his owner. The other patients are used to his loyal presence and enjoy watching him as much as they enjoy the animals on the other side of the glass. “I think Zechariah likes it best,” Bob says. The rehab team had no idea how big of an impact the tiny table would make. “We have found that not only do the patients really enjoy watching the wildlife, but it has also improved patient morale, satisfaction, enjoyment, and engagement among patients,” Jesse says. “I think it’s safe to say, the table has been a hit.” #NebraskaMedicine #NebraskaMed #BellevueMedicalCenter #seriousmedicineextraordinarycare #togetherextraordinary

When patients enter the Emergency Department at Nebraska Medical Center, one of the first faces they often see is Lori Poldberg. The staff nurse works at the Access/Registration Area, which is relatively new to the Emergency Department. She helped launch the role about 12 years ago and currently works at the front entrance four days a week. In her role, Lori greets patients and obtains their chief complaint, which can be anything from a sore throat to a stroke. She determines the severity of the illness, assigns a room and enters the appropriate protocol orders. Thursday, June 27, will be Lori’s last day greeting patients as she prepares to retire after more than 34 years with Nebraska Medicine. Lori’s nursing career began 39 years ago when she graduated from the ROTC program at Creighton University and joined the Army Nurse Corps. She was stationed at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. "For over 34 years, Lori has provided care to patients, and in the past 12 years as the Emergency Department greeter nurse, she is the first person thousands of patients see," says Kate Buehler, nurse manager, Emergency Services. "With certainty, I know she has contributed positively to patient safety and patient experience. Lori’s expertise and presence will be greatly missed." In retirement, Lori and her husband plan to travel across the country with their camper, starting with Zion National Park in Utah. She also plans to spend time with her three sons, grandson and her new grandbaby, arriving in July. Although she’ll no longer be a practicing nurse, Lori admits that she plans to keep up with the latest medical processes and treatments. “I plan to keep my mind sharp,” she says. “You’re always a nurse, even in retirement.”

Here's an update on the progress at the new cancer facility in Kearney, Nebraska. As you can see from the photo, the building is taking shape, and upcoming work being done at the site includes the following: -Installing the curtain wall glass on both the north and south sides of the building. -Paving the south parking lot. -Setting and connecting the air handling units by the end of the month. Upcoming work in August and September includes: -Installation of the CT and linear accelerator (LINAC) equipment in late August. -Starting the landscaping and build-out of the healing garden in September. The cancer center is targeted to open late this year.

They got the beat! The Child Life and Family Development team organized a rockin' summer bash for pediatric patients, featuring entertainment from Omaha Street Percussion. This party wouldn't be possible without the generosity of Friends of Willy and our amazing Hospital Buddies volunteers! These volunteers are medical students at University of Nebraska Medical Center. Thank you to everyone who helped give these families a memorable night!