 |
MMI Monthly
The electronic newsletter of the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
|
|
A time to grow
A new year brings new resolutions and beginnings, and this also holds true at MMI.
Changing times necessitate evolution, and the future of MMI lies in strong partnerships. As 2017 dawns, MMI is looking forward to expanding clinical services with collaborators such as Nebraska Medicine, Boys Town and Children's Hospital & Medical Center.
Educational opportunities will abound in the coming year as well, as MMI explores new partnerships with the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions, UNMC College of Nursing and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
In addition, we will be discussing international collaborations with health care professionals in Hungary, Poland and Croatia. And closer to home, we hope to engage with many of Omaha and Nebraska's committed and creative community organizations.
Sound like a lot of resolutions? Well, busy is both good and necessary. MMI needs to lead, not simply follow, and as we work to expand our partnerships in 2017, we will take a leading role in transforming lives of individuals with disabilities, their families, and their communities.
That goal is not new for us. But it's a wonderful New Year's resolution.
Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Munroe-Meyer Institute
|
|
|
|
|
The cast of "Join Us in the Jungle" takes a bow.
|
New theater collaboration a hit for MMI
More than 175 people turned out Jan. 6 to attend a performance by the participants of the Munroe-Meyer Institute's first Winter Theater Camp.
MMI's Department of Recreational Therapy teamed with WhyArts, an arts organization based at the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Engagement Center, to hold the camp for children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Longtime partner J.P. Lord contributed the rehearsal and performance space.
To read more and see a photo album, click here.
|
|
MMI's Dr. Huh named a UNMC New Investigator
Sung-Ho Huh, Ph.D., assistant professor in the
Holland Regenerative Medicine Program in MMI's Department of Developmental Neuroscience, was named a New Investigator in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research's 2016 Research Awards. Dr. Huh, along with other top researchers from UNMC, will be honored at an awards ceremony on Jan. 17 at UNMC.
For more information on Dr. Huh and his award, click here.
|
|
PT's Beyersdorf earns national recognition for clinical care
Amy Beyersdorf of the MMI Department of Physical Therapy has been selected by the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association as the Outstanding Pediatric Clinical Practice Award recipient for this year. Read more here.
|
|
|
|
From left, Diane Pickering, Bhavana Dave, Ph.D., Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., Renee Fordyce-Boyer, Jennifer Sanmann, Ph.D, and Michelle Hess
|
A warm MMI sendoff for Renee Fordyce-Boyer
The MMI community gathered on Jan. 5 to say good-bye to Renee Fordyce-Boyer, Human Genetics Laboratory manager, who is retiring after a 41-year career at UNMC, 39 of which were spent at MMI.
MMI Director Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., called Boyer a "treasure," and colleagues gathered to share stories and tributes.
To read more about Fordyce-Boyer's MMI career, click
here
.
|
Nebraska DD planning council seeking grant applicants
In December, the Nebraska Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities announced the availability of funds for opportunity subawards. MMI is among the eligible applicants, which include profit and nonprofit entities, faith-based organizations, state agencies, institutions of higher education, or local subdivisions of government.
Applications for these subawards are due on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 5 p.m. Council members will score and select the award recipients at their Feb. 3 meeting. The subrecipients will be funded for the grant cycle of April 1, 2017, through March 31, 2018.
Applications must align with the council's new
2017-2021 State Plan Goals and Objectives. The council is committed to continuing its mission to promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life as reflected in its new state plan.
Additional information along with the other required forms to submit with the application can be found on the
council website, under the Grants tab. For additional questions please contact the council office at 402-471-2330 or
email council staff.
|
|
|
| From left, David Arpin, P.D., Max Kurz, Ph.D., and Swati Surkar, Ph.D. |
MMI's new Ph.D.s
|
|
|
From left, Andresa De Souza, Ph.D., and Wayne Fisher, Ph.D.
|
Members of the Munroe-Meyer Institute took part in the 2016 Graduate Studies Winter Honors Convocation on Dec. 15.
Max Kurz, Ph.D., associate professor in MMI's Department of Physical Therapy, performed the hoodings for David Arpin, Ph.D., and Swati Surkar, Ph.D.
Wayne Fisher, Ph.D., director of MMI's Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, performed the hooding for Andresa De Souza, Ph.D.
Dr. Surkar also was recognized with the
"Graduate Student of Distinction Award," given to outstanding graduate students who have excelled in their graduate studies and have secured external funding for their research.
Education is an important facet of MMI's mission. MMI is involved in the education of medical students, residents, fellows, interns, allied health professionals, Ph.D. and M.S. students, college and high school students
.
|
|
News in brief
MMI staff collaborate with El Cuidando Nuestros Angelitos Hispanos
On Dec. 15, parent resource coordinators from One World and Boys Town Pediatrics and other MMI staff collaborated with "El Cuidando Nuestros Angelitos Hispanos" (Our Hispanic Little Angels) family support group, PTI-NE, and One World Community Health Center to support families that have children with disabilities. The event attracted more than 50 families, and every child who attended the event walked away with a gift thanks to the generous support of DJ Mickey, El Nueva 1020 AM Radio station and the Bellevue community. The event featured authentic Hispanic food and a mariachi band.
Trick-or-Treat Resource Fair a hit with Lincoln families
In October, Shauna Gosch, a Lincoln-based UNMC/MMI parent resource coordinator, oversaw a "Trick-or-Treat Resource Fair" for families of children with disabilities. The fair featured Halloween treats, and families were connected to community resources. The event had more than 75 attendees, as well as 20 vendors.
"For our first-ever event, we had a lot of people who attended this resource fair," Gosch said. "I had families who asked for it to be held again and also vendors who want to participate again. Some families traveled several miles from smaller communities just to come to the event."
Shorts
- Behavioral technician Holly Ney of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders successfully passed the exam required to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
|
|
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events of interest to the MMI community:
The date for the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities'
2017 Walk and Roll for Disabilities
has been set:
March 5
. The event will be held at the Oak View Mall, 3001 S. 144th St. The event's Facebook Page is already up, and organizers hope to get to 500 likes. Visit the page
here
and like it! Then start planning your teams! Funds raised at the event go to support programming at MMI.
|
|
Links of the month
News from around the Internet of interest to the MMI community.
First the Internet, then a corporation, respond when the parent of an autistic teen posts a cry for help on Facebook. Read the heartwarming story
here.
The New York Times explores the emergence of models with Down Syndrome in national ads and fashion shows
here.
New York Times readers share their thoughts on
"What Disability Means."
"Roughly one in five Americans lives with a disability. So where is our pride movement?" asks this New York Times contributor. Read the column
here.
A Huffington Post column explores inclusion in our schools. Read the column
here.
The U.S. Department of Education released guidance on the civil rights of students with disabilities. Read more
here.
|
|
Send your news to MMI Monthly
Is there something exciting going on in your department? Send your news to MMI Monthly to share with your colleagues at the Munroe-Meyer Institute. MMI Monthly will be published during the first week of each month.
Send your news to us!
|
|
Contact the Munroe-Meyer Institute
|
|
|
|
|
|
