MMIinfo - unmc.edu · Information Office. But instead of Green Eggs and Ham, it reads “Huevos...
5
MMI hallways to get a new look MMI info UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics & Rehabilitation Q & A with Maurice Godfrey Q) What is your title: A) Professor, Munroe-Meyer Institute Q) What drew you to the Munroe-Meyer Institute? A) I came to MMI more than 22 years ago as a molecular geneticist studying heritable connective tissue disorders. I now teach science and genetics to audiences ranging from the general public to UNMC graduate students. Q) Describe your work in one sentence. A) I am a science geek whose mission is now to inspire the next generation of scientists. Q) What inspires you about children with disabilities? A) I do not work with children with disabilities, but I do work with children with significant health and education disadvantages. Much of my work brings health and science education to schools and communities on six Indian reservations in Nebraska and South Dakota. Q) Name one thing you wish more people knew about you/your job? A) Our work with Native communities has been funded by NIH since 2005. This success has led NIH to hold its annual science education conference in Omaha in May 2013. Volume 10 | Fall 2012 Imagine walking the halls of Munroe-Meyer and seeing colorful images of a baby thriving at a TIPS appointment, a child using an augmentative communication device to communicate, a teen being fitted for a wheelchair in the seating clinic, and an adult cooking up a pizza in the rec therapy department all lining the walls.. You won’t have to imagine it much longer, as an MMI art committee is currently working to make it happen. Headed by Janice Flegle, director of the occupational therapy department at MMI, the committee is currently pricing vendors to print, mat, frame and hang the images that the public relations department has taken over the past five years. “So many wonderful things happen within the walls of this Institute, and just by walking around it, you’d never know,” Flegle said. “The hallways are bare and drab.” The plan is to hang dynamic, colorful images that showcase the diversity of not only the people of MMI, but the range of services as well. Director Mike Leibowitz, Ph.D. is behind the project. “Until recently, little has changed in terms of décor updates in the last 20 years, so it will be nice to highlight the work we do while sprucing up the Institute,” he said. There is no definite timeline for the project, but Flegle hopes it will be done by next spring. “I talked to several people and they are all eagerly awaiting something more warm and welcoming for our staff and patients,” she said. “It’s exciting!”
Transcript of MMIinfo - unmc.edu · Information Office. But instead of Green Eggs and Ham, it reads “Huevos...
MMI hallways to get a new look
MMI info UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics & Rehabilitation
Q & A with Maurice GodfreyQ) What is your title:
A) Professor, Munroe-Meyer Institute
Q) What drew you to the Munroe-Meyer Institute?
A) I came to MMI more than 22 years ago as a molecular geneticist studying heritable connective tissue disorders. I now teach science and genetics to audiences ranging from the general public to UNMC graduate students.
Q) Describe your work in one sentence.
A) I am a science geek whose mission is now to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Q) What inspires you about children with disabilities?
A) I do not work with children with disabilities, but I do work with children with significant health and education disadvantages. Much of my work brings health and science education to schools and communities on six Indian reservations in Nebraska and South Dakota.
Q) Name one thing you wish more people knew about you/your job?
A) Our work with Native communities has been funded by NIH since 2005. This success has led NIH to hold its annual science education conference in Omaha in May 2013.
Volume 10 | Fall 2012
Imagine walking the halls of Munroe-Meyer and seeing colorful images of a baby thriving at a TIPS appointment, a child using an augmentative communication device to communicate, a teen being fitted for a wheelchair in the seating clinic, and an adult cooking up a pizza in the rec therapy department all lining the walls..
You won’t have to imagine it much longer, as an MMI art committee is currently working to make it happen.
Headed by Janice Flegle, director of the occupational therapy department at MMI, the committee is currently pricing vendors to print, mat, frame and hang the images that the public relations department has taken over the past five years.
“So many wonderful things happen within the walls of this Institute, and just by walking around it, you’d never know,” Flegle said.
“The hallways are bare and drab.”
The plan is to hang dynamic, colorful images that showcase the diversity of not only the people of MMI, but the range of services as well.
Director Mike Leibowitz, Ph.D. is behind the project.
“Until recently, little has changed in terms of décor updates in the last 20 years, so it will be nice to highlight the work we do while sprucing up the Institute,” he said.
There is no definite timeline for the project, but Flegle hopes it will be done by next spring.
“I talked to several people and they are all eagerly awaiting something more warm and welcoming for our staff and patients,” she said. “It’s exciting!”
Volume 10 | Fall 2012
From the director
As you all know, there have been some “epic” changes around MMI in the last few months. We launched One Chart, the Nebraska Medical Center’s new comprehensive health record system, in our 412 clinics/Psychology/CASD and PFD on May 1. PT/OT/Speech and the HGL launched in August.
While many of our faculty and staff have put in very long hours dealing with the bumps in the road, hiccups and other unforeseen issues, I truly believe that eventually this will be a great benefit to MMI.
It allows us to go paperless with charts, sets us up for the future in regards to health care reform, makes data accessible for research purposes and will eventually allow patients better access to their medical records.
I’d like to recognize our eight super users Cindy Ellis, Sandy Houser, Eric Rush, Ryan Thorson, Suzanne Milnes, Nicole Rodriguez, Kristi DeHaii and Becky Gilbert as well as Joanne Johnson for her tireless efforts to make the process smoother for all our clinics, departments and labs. Without her, this conversion for our entire Institute would not have been possible. Thank you to Joanne, and to all the other who are working to making this transition an “epic” success.
J. Michael Leibowitz, Ph.D. Director Munroe-Meyer Institute University of Nebraska Medical Center
MMI Info | 2
MMI Info
Volume 10 | Fall 2012
This newsletter is produced by UNMC Public Relations for the Munroe-Meyer Institute.
Editor: Nicole Lindquist Photographers: David Hussey, Malone & Co. and Scott Dobry Designer: Tom Waples
For additional printed copies, please contact: UNMC Public Relations 985230 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68498-5230
402-559-4353
www.unmc.edu/mmi
Did you know?
The Munroe-Meyer Institute is now wired for Wi-Fi.
Neb. Fraternal Order of Eagles raise more than $80,000 for MMIRepresentatives from the Nebraska Federal Order of Eagles stopped by Munroe-Meyer Institute recently to present a check for $81,912.29 to MMI officials. The money will be used to endow the annual Interdisciplinary Symposium on the UNMC campus that brings together parents and professionals to discuss best practices. MMI was selected by the FOE as the state charity for 2011-2012.
Left: Bobbie Lowry, Jr. Past State Madam President of the Nebraska FOE, who has a daughter with an intellectual disability, fights back tears as she reads the amount the statewide organization raised for MMI: $81,912.29.
Above: Gathered for the momentous occasion were: Steve McWhorter, Hattie B. Munroe Foundation President; MMI Director Mike Leibowitz, Ph.D.; Bobbie Lowry, Jr. Past State Madam President of the Nebraska FOE; Kelly Davis, Jr. Past State Worthy President of the Nebraska FOE; and Barb Weed, State Madam Treasurer of the Nebraska FOE.
On the Job with Spanish inter-preter/translator Ann Goering One of Dr. Seuss’ best-selling books sits on the shelf of Ann Goering’s desk in the Patient Information Office. But instead of Green Eggs and Ham, it reads “Huevos Verdes Con Jamon.”
As the Spanish translator and interpreter for the Munroe-Meyer Institute, most of the books on Goering’s desk are in Spanish. Since joining MMI as a member of AmeriCorps in 2005, Goering has served as the go-to expert for all departments.
“I’ve learned how to handle tantrums from the behavioral psychologists; I’ve learned genetic terminology,” she said. “PT, OT, Speech, you name it.”
While her job may seem straight-forward, it certainly has its complicated moments. Like the times she’s had to interpret an autism diagnosis to a family.
“I cry easily,” Goering admitted. “So it’s difficult to contain my tears when giving bad news.”
On the flip side, getting to know families and watching their children grow, blossom and do well is the ultimate reward. The families –as well as the providers- value Goering just as much as she values them.
“She’s fabulous,” said Judy Mathews, Ph.D. associate professor of psychology at MMI. “She has a really nice relationship with the families. They love her. Because she can relate so well, it makes it much easier for us.”
Volume 10 | Fall 2012 MMI Info | 4
Goering was equally as complimentary of Mathews and the other experts at MMI.
“Our providers are paramount,” she said. “Their experience and expertise make it easier for me.”
It’s also easier for Goering when providers don’t talk in paragraphs.
“Shorter is better. I’m not a dictograph,” she said, laughing.
After studying a couple foreign languages in high school, Goering went on to major in Spanish at Hastings College. Living in Spain following her graduation cemented her fluidity.
She also speaks French, Russian and Japanese, though doesn’t translate or interpret for those languages. Except one time, when she had to tell a small child in the pediatric dentistry chair:
“It’s OK, it’ll be over soon,” in Japanese.
At a recent appointment, Goering gave the play-by-play in Spanish to a mom watching from an observation room. The young girl on the other side brought her face about an inch from the two-way mirror and gave a big, cheesy grin. Everyone laughed. No need to interpret that.
Max Kurz — PoNS Project
Anna Dunaevsky — NRI – Nanotherapeutics in Neuroinflammation Model of Autism
Woo Yang Kim — Neural Stem Cells in Neurological Disorders
Gurudutt Pendyala — NRI – Strategies to Prevent Relapse in Chronic Methamphetamine Abusers
Department: Administration for HBM Foundation and Meyer Foundation
Time at MMI: Started June, 2012
The best part about my job is: meeting all the wonderful staff.
Best MMI memory: Receiving genetic counseling 23 years ago from Dr. Buehler when my son Justin was 6 weeks old. Justin’s genetic report showing Down syndrome was signed by Dr. Sanger. Now I get to work with these two great individuals and everyone else who has worked with Justin.
The accomplishment (work-related or not) I’m most proud of is: My three children: Kyle, Justin and Kristin and the adults they have become.
If I had another career it would be: as a professional genealogist.
Not everyone knows that I: am a farm girl at heart.
Meet Kim Bainbridge
New grants and contracts Silver U AwardsJ U N EKaye Bataillon
J U LYNicole Lemm
A U G U S TNicole Lickteig
S E P T E M B E RTammy Molinelli
O C T O B E RRobin Black
This UNMC award is given to employees who provide consistent performance that exceeds expectations or for other special achievements.
News you can useMMI Psychology Partners with University of South Florida Health Science Center
Though on sabbatical, Joe Evans, Ph.D. hasn’t stopped working. The director of the psychology department recently received a subcontract grant from a federal Health Resources and Services Administration grant to establish a collaborative training program with the University of South Florida pediatrics department. The program is based on the highly successful program developed at MMI that recruits, trains and places behavioral health professionals (psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, and counselors) into primary care pediatric practices. The Nebraska program has trained and successfully placed psychologists in 30 rural and urban primary care practices throughout the state. The grant is the first collaborative venture between USF and MMI, but promises to be a model for future grant and training activities.
The Commission on Continuing Competence and Professional Development (CCCPD) confirmed Janice Flegle, director of Occupational Therapy, as a member of the Phase II Panel charged to develop application content for the revised Board Certification in Pediatrics.
Volume 10 | Fall 2012 MMI Info | 6
New Employees
A D M I N I S T R A T I O N :Kim Bainbridge
A U T I S M :Jamie Jones
D E V E L O P M E N T A L M E D I C I N E :Jacqueline Hankins
D E V E L O P M E N T A L N E U R O S C I E N C E :Deeba Baig Gurudutt Pendyala
E D U C A T I O N :Michelle Young-Oestmann Rebecca Zessin
G E N E T I C M E D I C I N E :Eric Rush Lois Starr
H U M A N G E N E T I C S L A B :Kossi Zotoglo
O C C U P A T I O N A L T H E R A P Y :Jenni Herchenbach Jessica Kucera
P H Y S I C A L T H E R A P Y :Katherine Becker Amanda Coughlin Melanie Valdez Marlena Witchell
P S Y C H O L O G Y :Carla Swartz Ryan Thorson
S P E E C H :Courtney Eden Emily Johnson
Fundraiser round ups
Garden WalkHeld by: MMI Guild
How many: 1,100
How much: $22,000
One more thing: Next year’s date is June 9.
OwL RideHeld by: Meyer Foundation for Disabilities
How many: 2,400 riders
How much: $66,000 was raised
One more thing: The 16-mile looped route took riders through downtown and the midtown, Dundee, Aksarben, Field Club and Old Market neighborhoods.
Walk Rite for RiteCareHeld by: Scottish Rite Foundation of Omaha
How many: Approximately 120 walkers
How much: $13,500
One more thing: Most speech and language disor-ders, when diagnosed and treated early, are treatable.
A M E R I C O R P S :Leslie Cummings Mary Fitzgerald Julie Forrester Lisa Heiden Tara Hindman Melissa King Carol Kosmicki Devan Quandt Shanna Oestrater Pamela Stoffer Patrick Waugh Christina Winters
Halloween at MMI
Volume 10 | Fall 2012 unmc.edu/mmi
Follow UNMC on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Fast Facts July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012Intermediate and Long-Term Training 170 trainees received 130,736 hours of training
Core Curriculum and Leadership Seminar Presentations 56 different core topics presented to 921 attendees
Technical Assistance 491 activities for 20,787 individuals
Continuing Education 119 hours of CE presented to 7,176 attendees
Clinical Services 9,370 patients (4,714 new patients and 4,656 previously served) 49,737 total patient visits
Research and Dissemination 74 papers published in journals, text books and online sites 145 presentations and posters at national and regional conferences 18 grant applications submitted totaling $5,346,908 20 new grants funded totaling $3,941,561
University Courses 26 courses taught at UNMC, UNO, UNL, Metro Community College and College of St. Mary’s
CalendarEmployee Holiday Party — Dec. 8
Nebraska Neuroscience Alliance dinner and celebration — Dec. 13
Walk and Roll — March 3
Trainee Poster Session — April 24
