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MMI Monthly
The electronic newsletter of the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
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Saying 'Thank you' and having fun
The Munroe-Meyer Institute would be a shadow of itself without the support of our community.
The five supporting boards -- the Hattie B. Munroe Foundation, the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities, the Munroe-Meyer Institute Board of Directors, the Munroe-Meyer Guild and the Scottish Rite Foundations of Nebraska -- advise us, advocate for us and fund many of our endeavors. These unsung heroes are changing the attitude of the society toward individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Many of the board members are not well-known public figures, and they rarely receive recognition for all their good work. Their passion is infectious, and they perhaps never realize that they make our job much easier. The MMI community is grateful for their work, and they inspire us to be better.
One way to show that gratitude is to support the boards as they work to support us. In June, three major events will be held by two of our supporting boards. The Scottish Rite Foundations will hold its
WalkRite for RiteCare on June 4, and its golf outing,
the RiteCare Classic, on June 21. And the Munroe-Meyer Guild will hold its
Garden Walk on June 11.
It is important for the MMI community to show its support. I hope to see you at these events, showing your appreciation for all that these boards do for us -- and having a great time.
Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
Munroe-Meyer Institute
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Robin Ventura-Rosas and J.P. Lord Principal Laura Mac-Holmes
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MMI teams with J.P. Lord to showcase student's artwork
Robin Ventura-Rosas, a sixth-grade student at the J.P. Lord School in Omaha, is now a big deal in the local art scene -- with some support from the Munroe-Meyer Institute. Ventura-Rosas' artwork is featured on a billboard, sponsored by MMI, on the west side of Saddle Creek Road near Emile Street. The showcase is part of the Youth Art Month Billboard Project of the Omaha Public Schools. Read more about the collaboration here.
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Having fun at last year's WalkRite for RiteCare
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Support the WalkRite for RiteCare on June 4
She helps people talk the talk. Now, Amy Nordness, Ph.D., director of the MMI Speech-Language Pathology Department, is asking the MMI community to help her walk the walk at the 2016 WalkRite for RiteCare. Read more here.
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Support MMI's supporters on May 24 with Omaha Gives!
Omaha Gives! is a one-day online fundraising event organized by the Omaha Community Foundation
and held on May 24 to raise support for nonprofits in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties. It is
a communitywide event to show off the area's spirit of giving, raise awareness about local nonprofits, and celebrate the collective effort it takes to make this city great. Since 2013, this community give-together has raised more than $27 million for 789 nonprofits.
Nonprofits that support MMI also participate in Omaha Gives! To contribute to MMI's supporting non-profits, go to:
The Meyer Foundation for Disabilities
Nonprofits win hourly drawings and prizes for drumming up the most support. Gifts can be scheduled ahead of time or donations can be made throughout the day.
The minimum donation is only $10, and MMI Director Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., has set a $1,000 personal donation match for donations to any of the three organizations that come from the MMI staff.
Take advantage of Omaha Gives! and support the fine people who support us.
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A former camper enjoys the pool.
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Camp Munroe celebrating its 35th year on June 4
Camp Munroe, the longest running special-needs camp experience in Nebraska, will celebrate its 35th anniversary from 3-5 p.m. on June 4 at the Munroe-Meyer Institute.
Current and former campers, families, volunteers and staff members are invited to attend the event, which will include music and entertainment from Omaha Street Percussion, Wildlife Encounters, Amazing Bubble Show and DJ Dance, as well as activities such as a photo booth and the MMI Water Park.
Read more
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From left: Jessica Plude, Billie Retzlaff (March Standout), Chris Engler, Mark Conlin (March Standout), Dr. Mirnics, Paul Laikko, Enoch Ulmer and Pearl Sorensen.
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MMI Standouts program seeking nominations
April's MMI Standouts awardees included
Pearl Sorensen, physical therapy; Enoch Ulmer, speech; Paul Laikko, speech; Jessie Plude, speech; and Chris Engler, pediatric feeding disorders.
Nominations are being accepted for future monthly Standout Awards. Awardees will be
invited to lunch with Dr. Mirnics, receive a coffee mug or water bottle and have their picture featured in MMI Monthly.
Anyone in the MMI community may be nominated, and anyone on the UNMC campus or in the greater Omaha community may nominate. Anyone who works or volunteers at MMI is eligible, and up to five individuals will be selected monthly for this honor.
Nominations are due by 8 a.m. on the 15th of each month for the next cycle of Standouts. These nominations may be submitted
online or e-mailed to
Sandy Willett for consideration
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Amy Nordness, Ph.D., director of speech-language pathology
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SLP department to deliver all services at Nebraska Medicine
The Munroe-Meyer Institute Speech-Language Pathology Department announced in April that it will provide all SLP services to the Nebraska Medicine's main campus and Bellevue Medical Center beginning July 1. To read more
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click here
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From left, Abbey Siebler, Kari Price and Colleen Schmit
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Education Department collaboration has CLASS
When MMI's Kari Price was an elementary school teacher, she had classes, but no CLASS. CLASS is the Classroom Assessment Scoring System, which is part of the Nebraska Department of Education's Step Up to Quality Initiative. MMI's Education and Child Development Department has been a key collaborator in instituting the CLASS tool. To read more
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click here
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News in brief
Skrundevskiy is winner of 2017 LEND Student Research Competition
Alena Skrundevskiy, an MMI-LEND trainee and a student from the UMNC College of Public Health, was the winner of the 2017 LEND Student Research Competition. Her poster and presentation were titled "Lifetime Economic Impact of a School-Based Obesity Intervention."
Skrundevskiy was one of 10 LEND trainees who participated in the event in April.
Winners of this research competition receive a $50 cash gift from the Munroe-Meyer Guild to promote research in the field of developmental disabilities and children with complex health care needs.
Psychology expands statewide reach with two new integrated behavioral clinics
In March, associate professor Holly Roberts, Ph.D., from MMI Psychology provided consultation and support that helped finalize plans for two new integrated behavioral clinics in southeastern Nebraska, in Falls City and Humboldt. The clinics will be staffed by a provider from Behavioral Health Solutions in Nebraska City, run by Shelly Benshoof, Ph.D., a former intern and fellow with the department. Catie Nierdermeyer, a graduate of the MMI master's degree program, will be assigned to the clinics. These two new clinics will be collaborating MMI sites within the Clinical Outreach Program.
Mark Smith named to AUCD Diversity & Inclusion Action Team
MMI's Mark Smith is one of seven Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) network members named to the Diversity & Inclusion Action Team. Team members were chosen for their
experience and expertise in effecting organizations'
change related to cultural and linguistic competence, diversity and inclusion. The team's role is to advise on and champion two Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities-funded initiatives: Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan and the Diversity & Inclusion Training Action Plan. The goal of these projects is to develop focused plans and resources for the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities network to reduce and eventually end disparities and inequities in access to, and use of, services for people with developmental disabilities of all ages and their families who are from underserved racial, ethnic and linguistic groups.
Human Genetics Laboratory exceeds requirement for COG approval
The Human Genetics Laboratory exceeded the 55 percent abnormality detection rate for cytogenetics studies of patients with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to remain an approved laboratory for testing by the Children's Oncology Group (COG). COG is a National Cancer Institute-supported clinical trials group that unites more than 9,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 200 leading children's hospitals, universities, and cancer centers across North America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
MMI's Vaughan named vice chair of UNMC's IRB
Nurse practitioner Brigette Vaughan, who holds a dual appointment with MMI and the UNMC Department of Psychiatry, has been named vice chair on the UNMC Institutional Review Board. The IRB is charged with assuring that the rights and welfare of human subjects are fully protected in research projects conducted at UNMC/UNO/Nebraska Medicine or elsewhere by representatives of the institution.
Shorts
- Holly Ney and Chris Engler were promoted to Behavior Analysis Specialists I in the pediatric feeding disorders program.
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Upcoming Events
Upcoming events of interest to the MMI community:
May 18: 11- 11:45 a.m,. Chancellor Gold at MMI, Durham Research Center auditorium (Room 1002). "The Road Ahead." Please, make all attempts to attend.
May 19: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., MMI staff picnic.
May 24: OMAHA GIVES! Omaha's fifth annual 24-hour charitable challenge.
May 25: 6:30-8 p.m., Ollie Webb Center/The Arc Omaha: "Effectively Communicating Needs for Adult Services," at UNO Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, 6001 Dodge St. Reservations are required. Interpretation services available (requests must be received by May 12).
May 31: Noon-1 p.m., Grand Rounds: Mind and Brain Health Seminar Series, presented by Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., Clarkson Doctor's North Building, MBHL Conference Room, Suite 145.
June 4: 3-7 p.m., Camp Munroe 35th Anniversary, Munroe-Meyer Institute-Camp Munroe.
June 11: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Munroe-Meyer Guild Garden Walk, gardens are from 159th and Dodge streets to Cornhusker Road. Tickets are $15/$20 day of garden walk.
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Links of the month
News from around the internet of interest to the MMI community.
Proposed Strategic Plan open for comment
In December 2016, Disability Rights Nebraska, the state's protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities, created a Strategic Planning Workgroup to draft a Strategic Plan for FY 2018-2022. The workgroup has now shared the proposed strategic plan with the public. Stakeholders are encouraged to actively take part in the planning process by offering opinions and ideas on these proposed priorities. Comments will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Review and comment on the plan.
NBC News looks at
the Hugs Cafe, which provides rewarding work for people with special needs.
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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!
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Contact the Munroe-Meyer Institute
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