Nebraska Medicine

27/07/2025

"They treated me like a member of their own family.”

Nebraska Medicine food services employee Lisa Fennell is excited to get back to the job she loves after being diagnosed with a type of blood cancer called myelodysplastic neoplasm.

Read about her journey and how she's now sharing her story to help others fighting cancer: https://bit.ly/4lK9xJ4.

25/07/2025

☀️ Congratulations Kailyn Davis, an Emergency Department patient tech, for being the winner of the Bellevue Medical Center Sunshine Award!☀️

The Sunshine Award is presented quarterly to a medical assistant, nursing assistant, patient attendant or any member of the support team who consistently displays Nebraska Medicine’s ITEACH values, demonstrates a positive attitude and professionalism and provides the best patient experience possible to our patients and visitors.

24/07/2025

To call the med center a home for Rick Gardner might be an understatement. From the day he was born at University Hospital, he was destined to be a part of the UNMC and Nebraska Medicine family.

This month, the senior programming analyst celebrated his 40th service anniversary, but his passion for this second home began decades before his professional journey.

“When I was 3, my dad began to take me to his office on the weekends as he prepared for the upcoming week’s classes,” Rick says. “He’d show me different things, trying to get me interested in medicine. Medicine wasn’t my cup of tea, but I ended up working here.”

Rick’s father, Paul Gardner, PhD, was an anatomy professor at UNMC, retiring in 1995 as assistant vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. Instead of medicine, Rick developed a passion for technology and computer programming. He first joined the med center in 1985 as a data tech.

“I remember data techs would wear these red polyester jackets and carry a little green screwdriver that they gave you to go around and maintain everyone’s PC,” he recalls, noting he still has that screwdriver today. “If I had had a pedometer back then. I'm sure I would have easily gotten 30,000 to 40,000 steps in a day.”

Some of the memories he recalls from his various roles include having done rounds each morning to ensure all clinics and nursing stations had enough printer paper for the day. As a programmer in the early years, and before cloud server storage was even a thought, Rick remembers having to use punch cards, magnetic disks, magnetic reel tape and cartridges to store data.

And of course, for those born before 2000, who could forget Y2K?

“All of us in IT worked for about two years preparing and fixing programs ahead of Y2K,” Rick says. “On that New Year’s Eve, we all took shifts and were on site for when the clock struck midnight, and we were happy that all of our pre-work paid off.”

“Rick has held different roles over the years, all equally important, but the one that stands out is that he has participated in every Epic upgrade call since our initial go-live,” says Sophia Chege, manager, Integrated Technology Solutions. “Behind the scenes, he ensures upgrades occur on schedule across all environments and that the technical teams are informed about what actions to take and when to take them.”

“I take pride in helping keep things up and going,” says Rick. “It's always been a high priority of mine.”

Now that Rick has hit his 40th service anniversary milestone, the next achievement will be on Jan. 12, 2026, when he will retire from a place that has meant so much to him and his family.

In retirement, Rick plans to stay busy by biking and golfing more and hiking when he and his wife travel to the next National Park on their list.

As he reflects on the decades spent at the med center and the ties he has to the place, with his father, wife, brother, niece, and brother-in-law all having worked here, it will forever be a home.

“They say Nebraska is a great place to raise a family. Well, working at the med center is also a great place to raise a family,” Rick says. “I was able to work and still spend quality time with the family that I needed.”

23/07/2025

They came to cardiac rehab at Bellevue Medical Center to heal their hearts. Turns out it would be in more ways than one.

Deb Robertson, 73, was recovering from a heart attack. Al Gransee, 77, from a valve replacement. One day after both finished their rehab sessions, Gransee joined Robertson on this bench outside as she waited for her ride. They’ve been inseparable since.

First, they were friends and then romance bloomed.

“I wasn’t looking for love,” Robertson says. “You know what, I figured at my age, no.”

Gransee popped the question while the two watched a movie. Now the two are engaged, much to the delight of colleagues who worked with the pair in rehab.

Learn more about their story, which includes a surprise coincidence, in this report from KMTV 3 News Now 's Mary Nelson : https://bit.ly/4kSGxxw

22/07/2025

“I always knew I wanted to care for people.”

If you know Meg Cordes, this shouldn’t come as any surprise. To the colleagues she’s worked with over the years, and the many others she has led, her warmth and kindness have meant a great deal. Cordes is a great example of how you can work for an organization for 40 years but have many different roles.

“I’ve been so blessed since I walked through the door in 1985,” she says. “I’ve always felt someone was taking care of me.”

It all began in 1985 in Critical Care for University Hospital. In 2002, she accepted a role as a nursing resource coordinator, and 12 years later transitioned to leadership as the manager for the Solid Organ Transplant Unit and the Adult Progressive Care Unit. Two years later, she became the manager of Patient Support Services.

“It was a very hard decision to leave the floor, but I learned a lot. No matter the situation, you must be willing to listen. They want the best for their loved one, and that’s what I want, too.”

“Meg has been a pillar of support for patients throughout her remarkable career,” says Michelle Freeman, executive director, Acute Care Services and Nursing Practice. “She has an innate ability to foster a positive environment, which has been instrumental in nurturing and developing the skills of those who care for our patients. It has been a tremendous honor to have worked alongside her.”

In 2018, she became the manager of the medical/surgical units (levels three and four) and the Intensive Care Unit at Bellevue Medical Center.

“I’m from Bellevue, and I always saw someone I knew at the hospital,” she says. “I loved it.”

“When I think of the impact Meg has had on our organization over the last 40 years, I am overwhelmed,” says Kelly Vaughn, chief nursing officer. “Meg’s ability to meet patients where they are and offer a calm confidence for our patients and families is truly admirable.”

Looking for more work-life balance, nearly one year ago, she became the manager of the Orthopaedic Clinic, with locations at Lauritzen Outpatient Center, Bellevue Medical Center and Village Pointe Health Center.

“I’m really close with my kids and I want to spend more time with them and their children,” she says, when asked about retirement. She knows it’s in the not-too-distant future but has no timeframe.

“Forty years, a lot of ups and downs, but I would not want to be anywhere but Nebraska Medicine.”

21/07/2025

Congratulations Jessica Hall, a nurse on the level four Medical-Surgical Unit, for being the winner of a Bellevue Medical Center DAISY Award!

Nebraska Medicine is among health care organizations that recognize its nurses with the DAISY Award. Honorees personify Nebraska Medicine values and consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care. They are recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community.

18/07/2025

This is what caring looks like!

Baxter Subaru Omaha and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Nebraska once again donated warm and fuzzy blankets and care kits of personal items to our Resource and Wellness Center at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center!

Subaru staff members also added handwritten notes of support for patients.

The donation was made possible by the Subaru Loves to Care program, which partners Subaru dealerships nationwide with local health care facilities.

Thank you, Baxter and LLS Nebraska!

17/07/2025

Thinking about a career in health care?

Meet Mason Coulon. He started as a volunteer and now he's working as a Radiology Assistant as he completes his education.

Tuition reimbursement is available for students like Mason. Read about his journey and learn if a similar career path could be right for you!

As Coulon pursues his educational goals, he enjoys support from his leadership team and $5,000 in tuition reimbursement.

16/07/2025

Congratulations Marissa Winterstein, a nurse in Radiology, for being the winner of a Nebraska Medical Center DAISY Award!

Nebraska Medicine is among health care organizations that recognize its nurses with the DAISY Award. Honorees personify Nebraska Medicine values and consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care. They are recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community.

15/07/2025

After more than 40 years of working in health care, perioperative nurse Barb Herting is retiring on Thursday, July 17.

Barb knows retirement will be a big life change for her, so much so that she jokingly has a backup plan.

“I found out from HR that between six to 12 months I could still come back and get a job and maintain my seniority,” Herting says. “My kids died laughing when I told them I checked it out and had a backup plan if needed. But I have enjoyed my run, and we’ll see what happens after this.”

Barb has had several roles, including working as flight nurse, in the Emergency Department, and most recently at Fritch Surgery Center at Lauritzen Outpatient Center.

Missy O’Brien, manager, Perioperative Services, says Barb has always provided extraordinary care to patients.

“Whether working with the sickest patients in her time in the ED or caring for outpatient surgical patients who need a little more time to recover, Barb’s ability to put them more at ease is a special gift,” Missy says. “Congratulations to Barb on a very well-deserved retirement. You are a very important part of our team and will be missed.”

No matter the job or the department, for Barb, it’s always been about being part of something bigger with others.

“I don't feel like I've done anything out of the ordinary that hundreds or thousands of other people haven't done before me,” she says. “I was taught to treat patients as you would want your family to be treated. I hope people regard me as a good nurse who took good care of people.”

Barb’s daughter, Jennifer, started as a nurse at the med center last month and will carry on her mother’s legacy.

Thank you, Barb, for your decades of extraordinary care!

14/07/2025

⚽ GIVEAWAY⚽

Nebraska Medicine is proud to be the official medical sponsor for Union Omaha, and we want to send you and a friend to Friday night’s 6 p.m. match vs. South Georgia Tormenta FC.

Here’s how to win:

· Tag a friend who you’d like to take to the match in the comments.

· Subscribe to our Advancing Health Newsletter here: https://bit.ly/46FHBkY

The contest is open until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16. Twenty-five winners will be selected at random and contacted via email Thursday.

Go Owls!