PM&R Newsletter
News from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
FROM THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Summer has been passing quickly. As schools start back this month, we should encourage people in the community to obtain the available vaccines to prevent severe Covid-19 infection. The worrisome increase in the delta variant of SARS-COV-2 has affected all health care facilities in the region. I think that the newly announced policy for required vaccination of all employees at UNMC, CHMC, Madonna, and Nebraska Medicine will help reassure patients of their safety in these facilities we staff. UNMC and Nebraska Medicine have been leading the way in providing evidence-based advice for the pandemic. Nebraska Medicine has been rated as the #1 medical center in Nebraska by US News and World Report for the 10th straight year!

We welcome to the Department Dr. Charito Go, who has begun working at Madonna as an attending physiatrist of the R-3 inpatient unit and in the Physicians’ Clinic. The residents now have continuity patients in our Madonna Clinic as well. This opportunity allows residents to follow the progress of patients who began their care on the inpatient units and now have transitioned to outpatient care.

With the July 1 expansion of the inpatient rehabilitation units at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, we are seeking additional faculty for both inpatient and outpatient care. We continue to interview candidates to expand our departmental faculty. We also are seeking faculty for an inpatient consultation service at Nebraska Medicine. Please direct interested persons to pmr@unmc.edu.

Stay well and enjoy the end of the summer! 

Samuel Bierner, MD, MRM
Professor and Chair
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
NEW FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
New Assistant Professor - Dr. Charito Go-Von Hendy
Name: Charito Go-Von Hendy, MD

Hometown: Philippines, but I have lived in the USA for more than 25 years.

Degree(s): MD

How you fell in love with PM&R: My interest in PM&R developed because it shows you the continuum of care and I am able to follow a patient's progress from a devastating trauma, stroke, or other neurological injuries to their recovery and functional improvement as well as returning to home and work.
RESIDENT CORNER
2021 Resident Graduation
The first PM&R resident graduation took place on Friday, June 25, 2021, at Field Club of Omaha clubhouse.

Our first graduates, Bryan Baker, DO, and Rohit Nalamasu, DO, were honored with their diplomas and received commemorative office chairs bearing the UNMC logo.

Dr. Bierner, Department Chair, and Dr. Weaver, Program Director, made remarks, followed by Bryan and Rohit sharing words with the faculty and their colleagues.
 
We wish them well as Dr. Baker begins his fellowship in Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Nalamasu begins his fellowship in Pain Medicine at the University of California Davis. Congratulations to them both!
Resident Welcome Dinner
As we head into a new academic year, the current residents and faculty had the opportunity to get to know the incoming interns at our welcome dinner. This will be the first year that the PM&R residency program will have four full classes of residents. Our welcome dinner was a chance for all of the residents to relax and eat some delicious food at Jams before starting on their new rotations.
Meet the new Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residents
Name: Charlie Dawson, MD

Medical School: Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN

Undergraduate: Midland University, Fremont, NE

Interests: Spending time with my wife and daughter, watching basketball and football, and working out.

Fun Fact: I am a huge Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers fan.
Name: Blake Farrar, DO

Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lewisburg, WV

Undergraduate: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Interests: Weightlifting, playing golf, University of Kentucky sports, Chicago Cubs baseball.

Fun Fact: A goal of mine is to visit every MLB stadium.
Name: Joe Fike, DO

Medical School: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, CO

Undergraduate: University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

Interests: Hiking, traveling, golfing, cooking, watching just about any sport, and spending time with my wife, daughter, and dog!

Fun Fact: My wife considers me an expert at sleepwalking and talking.
Name: Derek McGaffey, MD

Medical School: Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

Undergraduate: Bethel University, Arden Hills, MN

Interests: Sports, weightlifting, hiking, spending time with my wife and family.

Fun Fact: I played football in college and was intentionally given the ball one (1) time.
Dr. Nimmo receives Resident of the Month
The College of Medicine recognizes Seella Nimmo, MD, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation fourth-year resident, as Resident of the Month.


Read more here.
STAFF
Congratulations Carolyn Helmberger!!

July 1, 2021, the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation's Carolyn Helmberger was promoted to Graduate Medical Education Resident Coordinator II. Her hard work, commitment, and dedication to the PM&R Residency program are greatly appreciated!
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
981225 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-1225
402-559-7775