As one of the three busiest transplantation programs in the world, UNMC/NHS has established an outstanding reputation for expertise in treating a variety of diseases.

• Our oncology and transplant teams include nationally and internationally recognized physicians and specialists, many of whom have won national and international awards in cancer care research. Every year, thousands of well-informed U.S. and international patients select us for lymphoma treatment, and bone marrow, stem cell and solid organ transplantation.

• The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is a founding member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of 17 of the world’s leading cancer centers located in the United States. NCCN member institutions provide superior cancer care and continually seek to improve cancer care. We are also one of only 59 National Cancer Institute-designated centers.

•The UNMC/NHS liver transplant program has patient and graft survival rates that far exceed the national average in adult, pediatric and living-related donor, and reduced-size transplants.

• Now among the world’s busiest and most successful, we were the first to create a combined liver/small bowel transplant program.

• We are one of the few transplant centers in the nation offering pancreas and kidney/pancreas transplantation and one of the five most active.

• Inpatient. Outpatient. Children. Adults. Our comprehensive cancer programs excel in supporting a wide range of patient and family medical and personal needs. World Renowned Physicians

* University of Nebraska Medical Center’s research led to the first peripheral stem cell transplant program in the United States in 1983 and set the standard for transplant treatment used throughout the world. UNMC/Nebraska Health System has performed more than 7,500 bone marrow, peripheral stem cell and solid organ transplants since the beginning of the transplant program.

* UNMC/NHS has been the driving force to establish a new method of classifying lymphoma, based on advances made in immunology and genetics. This will lead to targeted and better treatment programs for lymphoma.

* Through our innovative efforts in liver/small bowel transplantation and the use of stem cell transplants for treating rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, our patients continue to benefit from the latest clinical trials and investigational drugs tested at our facilities.

* A recent addition to our campus, The Lied Transplant Center, is the first transplantation center in the world to bring together into one facility solid organ and blood stem cell (bone marrow) transplantation programs, cancer and transplantation research, patient care and education, and an innovative delivery system called Cooperative Care.

Omaha, home to the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Health System, is fortunately far removed from the dizzying pace of large metropolitan cities and their bustling and harried populace. About one million residents within a 50-mile radius of Omaha have succeeded in maintaining a low-stress, friendly, small-town atmosphere, despite the city’s steady growth. One of the first things that strikes visitors to the city is the abundance of smiles and cheerful “hellos” from total strangers. Omahans make visitors feel quickly at home with their warm and welcoming ways, something that anxious, homesick patients and their families particularly appreciate.

Omaha is known for superb health care, agriculture, telecommunications and high-tech businesses, excellent restaurants, a world-famous zoo, the arts, affordable living, quality of life and friendliness. It is located in the very center or “heartland” of the U.S. along the Missouri River. Its international airport is modern and convenient.

Dr. Minnie Abromowitch earned her medical degree at the University of Manitoba in 1973. She completed a pediatric residency at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and was chief resident at Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. She served fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology at Winnipeg Children’s Hospital, and in hematology/oncology at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Dr. Abromowitch is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatrics-hematology/oncology.

Dr. James Armitage received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1973. In 1977, he completed a fellowship in hematology-oncology at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics, Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Armitage was in private practice from 1977-79 and in 1979 he returned to the University of Iowa as an assistant professor of medicine, where he developed and was director of the bone marrow transplantation program. In 1982 he returned to UNMC as associate professor of medicine and was promoted in 1987 to professor of medicine. He has served as vice chairman of the department of medicine (1982-90), chief of the section of oncology/hematology (1986-89) and he presently holds the position of chairman of the department of internal medicine. He is a member of many professional organizations as well as serving on the editorial boards of several peer-reviewed journals. He serves on several national and international committees and has served as president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He has authored or co-authored 250 articles, 39 book chapters, 240 abstracts and is the editor of two books.

Dr. Janina Baranowska-Kortylewicz is primarily involved with the research section of the radiation oncology department. Her primary research deals with monoclonal antibodies and immunoconjugates in relationship to tumor treatment. Dr. Kortylewicz has made great strides in the development of mechanisms for the delivery of these immunoconjugates to tumor sites for delivery of therapeutic doses to tumor cells. Dr. Kortylewicz has been active in the development of pro-drugs designed to provide more effective systemic radiotherapy for a variety of malignancies.

Dr. Philip Bierman has been a member of the bone marrow transplantation team since 1987. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1977 and a medical degree from UMKC in 1979. Dr. Bierman completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1982 and was chief resident at UNMC in 1982-83. He served an oncology fellowship at UNMC from 1983-85 and a hematology fellowship at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, Calif., from 1985-86. Dr. Bierman is board-certified in internal medicine, oncology and hematology.

Dr. Gregory Bociek joined the bone marrow transplantation team in September 1998. He received his medical degree, served an internship and completed his residency in internal medicine from the University of Ottawa. He served a fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Ottawa from 1991-93. In 1994, he completed a bone marrow transplantation fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is certified in internal medicine and medical oncology from the Royal College of Physicians of Canada and is presently completing a master’s degree in clinical epidemiology from the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Randall Brand is an assistant professor and gastroenterologist in the department of internal medicine. Dr. Brand received his medical degree and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center. He completed his gastroenterology fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. While at the University of Nebraska, he has done additional training in gastrointestinal oncology, particularly in pancreatic cancer. He has clinical expertise in caring for gastrointestinal complications in patients following stem cell transplantation and in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Dr. Brand is collaborating on new strategies for the early detection of pancreatic cancer. He is also involved with several pancreatic cancer treatment studies. Additional research interests include the use of endoscopic ultrasound to stage gastrointestinal malignancies and for the early detection of pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals, such as members of pancreatic cancer families, and the study of gastrointestinal complications in stem cell transplantation patients. He is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network esophageal cancer guideline committee.

Dr. Peter Coccia is a director of pediatric oncology/hematology and pediatric bone marrow transplantation at UNMC/NHS. He earned his medical degree from Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, N.Y. in 1968. He completed his residency training at Upstate Medical Center, department of clinical pathology, and at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, department of pediatrics. Dr. Coccia served a pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship and an American Cancer Society, Junior Faculty Clinical Fellowship Pediatric Oncology at the University of Minnesota Hospital and clinics. He is board-certified in pathology-clinical pathology, pathology-hematology, pediatrics and pediatrics-hematology/oncology. Dr. Coccia also conducts research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.

Dr. Samuel Cohen received his MD and PhD from the University of Wisconsin in 1972, completed his residency training in anatomic and clinical pathology at St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MA, in 1975, and became board-certified in 1976. He was on the staff at St. Vincent Hospital and the faculty of the University of Massachusetts Medical Center until 1981, when he became professor and vice chairman in the department of pathology and microbiology and professor at the Eppley Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He became chairman of the department in 1992. He has published more than 200 articles on carcinogenesis in animal models and in humans, emphasizing interrelationships between species in extrapolating from animals to humans, and he is also expert in urologic pathology, especially regarding the lower urinary tract. He has served on several NIH, DOD and EPA study sections, various ILSI, EPA, FDA and institutional advisory panels, and is associate editor or member of the editorial board of several journals. Dr. Kenneth Cowan was appointed director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and director of the Eppley Institute for Cancer Research in March 1999.

Dr. Kenith Cowan received his BA from the University of Rochester in 1968 and his MD and PhD (pharmacology) from Case Western Reserve University in 1975. Following an internship and residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, he completed his medical oncology fellowship at the National Cancer Institute. He was appointed senior investigator in the clinical pharmacology branch of the NCI in 1982 and chief of the breast cancer section in the medicine branch of NCI in 1988. Dr. Cowan’s research at the NCI involved studies in the mechanisms of drug resistance, regulation of expression of drug resistance genes, and gene therapy for breast cancer. He initiated the first clinical trials in breast cancer patients at the NCI investigating the ability to gene modify hematopietic progenitor cells ex vivo using retroviral vectors. While at the NCI, Dr. Cowan served on the promotion and tenure review committee and the Public Health Service promotions committee, and he received the Public Health Service outstanding service award as well as two PHS unit commendation awards. He also served as acting chief of the medicine branch and as program leader for the medical oncology training program. He was elected as a member of the American Society of Clinical Investigations in 1989. Dr. Cowan has served as a member of the NIH Experimental Therapeutics 2 (ET-2) study section from 1989-1993 and has continued to serve as an ad hoc as well as special reviewer to the ET-1 and ET-2 study sections since that time. He is an associate editor of Breast Journal and serves on the scientific advisory board of the Cancer Research Foundation of America.

Dr. Charles Enke is the chairman of the radiation oncology program at UNMC/NHS and has been a practicing radiation oncologist since 1989. Dr. Enke is board-certified in therapeutic radiology by the American Board of Radiology. Dr. Enke participates in numerous investigative protocols through CALGB, NSABP, SWOG and RTOG. His specialty areas within radiation oncology include prostate cancer treatment, Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and intraoperative radiation therapy of soft tissue sarcomas.

Dr. Ira Fox has been a member of the UNMC/NHS adult liver-small bowel transplantation and pediatric liver transplant teams since 1992. He completed his undergraduate work at Harvard and earned his medical degree in 1976 from Columbia University in New York. He served as senior/chief resident at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston. Dr. Fox completed an immunology research fellowship from 1979-81 in the department of pathology at Harvard Medical School and a transplant fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He has active appointments in the department of surgery at UNMC and the Omaha Veteran’s Administration Hospital. He is board-certified in surgery and surgical critical care.

Dr. Bruce Gordon received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md., in 1983. He received a fellowship in pediatrics at University Hospitals of Cleveland. He served two fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology at University Hospitals of Cleveland and at UNMC. Dr. Gordon is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatrics-hematology/oncology. Dr. Gerald Groggel has been a member of the kidney transplantation team since 1995. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. in 1970 and a medical degree in 1974 from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. He served a medical internship at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Rapids and was assistant and senior resident at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, from 1977-79.

Dr. Gerald Groggel completed a clinical fellowship in nephrology at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington in 1980 and a research fellowship in nephrology in the renal unit at Boston University in 1983. Dr. Groggel is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology.

Dr. Alfred Grovus is the clinical director of the pediatric bone marrow transplantation program at UNMC/NHS. He received his Medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1985. He completed a pediatric residency and fellowship training at the University of California at Los Angeles. Dr. Grovus is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatrics-hematology/oncology. Dr. William Haire is a professor of medicine in the section of oncology/hematology of the department of internal medicine.

Dr. William Haire received his medical degree and served an internal medicine residency and hematology fellowship at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City, Kan. Dr. Haire worked in private practice from 1980 to 1986. He joined the faculty of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1986. Dr. Haire is board-certified in internal medicine and hematology. His areas of specialty include coagulation and thrombotic disorders.

Dr. Michael Hammeke has been chief of nephrology and a member of the kidney transplantation team since 1994. He earned undergraduate and medical degrees from Creighton University in Omaha. He completed an internship at Creighton in 1973 and his residency in 1975. He finished a nephrology fellowship at the University of Toronto School of Medicine in 1977. Dr. Hammeke is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology.

Dr. James Harper received his medical degree from UNMC in 1985. He served a pediatrics residency at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, and completed a fellowship in pediatric hematology/oncology at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Dr. Harper is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatrics-hematology/oncology. Dr. Simon Horslen is an assistant professor of pediatric hepatology. He has been a member of the pediatric transplant team since 1998. The British-born physician earned his medical degree from the University of Bristol, England,0 in 1984. Prior to his appointment at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1998,

Dr. Simon Horslen served as lecturer in pediatrics at Sheffield University, department of pediatrics in England. This followed periods of training at King’s College Hospital, a hospital for sick children in London, and the Royal Children’s Hospital in Australia. Dr. Horslen is a member of the Royal College of Physicians and has dual accreditation in general pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology from the Royal College of Physicians.

Dr. Stuart Kaufman has been a member of the pediatric liver transplant team since 1985. He completed his undergraduate work and received his Medical degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Dr. Kaufman served his residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan from 1978-81. Following his residency, Dr. Kaufman served a two-year fellowship in the pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition department at UNMC. Dr. Kaufman has active appointments at NHS, Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha. He is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology.

Dr. Anne Kessinger has been a member of the bone marrow transplantation team since it began in 1983. She received her undergraduate, graduate and medical degrees from West Virginia University. Dr. Kessinger served an internship and completed her residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. From 1970-72, Dr. Kessinger served a fellowship in clinical oncology at UNMC. She is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Dr. Kessinger pioneered the technique of stem cell transplantation.

Dr. Ayyangar Komanduri has been involved within the radiation oncology field for over 20 years. His experience and knowledge are a valuable resource for the physics department. He has extensive clinical experience in all areas and has developed a 3-D treatment planning system. Dr. Komanduri also has experience and interests in IMRT, intraoperative radiation therapy and other 3-D conformal treatment planning applications. Dr. Komanduri has published numerous articles and has presented this information at various seminars and meetings.

Dr. Pascale Lane became a member of the kidney transplantation team in 1998. She received her undergraduate and medical degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Dr. Lane served pediatric residencies at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago from 1985-86 and at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago from 1986-88. She completed a nephrology fellowship at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis in 1991. Dr. Lane is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric nephrology.

Dr. James Lane became a member of the kidney-pancreas transplantation team in 1998. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1983 and a medical degree in 1984. Dr. Lane finished his residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago in 1987. He served endocrinology and metabolism fellowships at Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke’s and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis from 1987-91. Dr. Lane is board-certified in internal medicine, and endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.

Dr. Alan Langnas is chief of transplantation and director of the liver and intestinal transplantation programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has been a member of the adult liver/small bowel transplantation team since its inception in 1990, the kidney transplantation team since 1991 and the kidney-pancreas transplantation team since 1993. Dr. Langnas earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his DO from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City in 1982. He served his residency at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington Hills, Mich., followed by two fellowships in transplantation surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and UNMC. Dr. Langnas is board-certified in surgery and critical care surgery.

Dr. Jennifer Larsen has been a member of the kidney and kidney-pancreas transplantation teams since 1987. She received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 1975 and her medical degree from the University of Iowa in 1979. She completed her internship and residency at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City. From 1982-85, Dr. Larsen served a fellowship in the endocrinology division at the University of Utah Medical Center. Dr. Larsen is board-certified in internal medicine, endocrinology and metabolism.

Dr. John Leone is the co-director of the kidney-pancreas transplantation program and has been a member of the kidney-pancreas transplant team since 1997. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Florida in 1981, his PhD at State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse in 1986 and his medical degree at the University of Miami in 1990. Dr. Leone served a residency and was surgical resident at the University of Minnesota from 1990-95. He completed a two-year fellowship in 1997 in surgical transplantation at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Leone is board-certified in surgery.

Dr. Helen Lovell has been a member of the kidney transplantation team since 1995. She earned her undergraduate degree from Lone Mountain College in San Francisco and her medical degree from the University of California – San Francisco School of Medicine in 1976. She served an internal medicine residency at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine from 1976-77 and at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles from 1977-78. Dr. Lovell completed a three-year pediatric residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City in 1985. She served a pediatric nephrology fellowship at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City from 1985-87 and an internal medicine nephrology fellowship at the University of Kansas School of Medicine from 1987-89. Dr. Lovell is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric nephrology.

Dr. Daniel Lydiatt received his DDS degree from University of Nebraska College of Dentistry at Lincoln, Nebraska in 1977. Following two years in dental practice, he returned to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha where he received his medical degree, completed a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery and a residency in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery. He is board certified in both specialties. He completed his head and neck surgery fellowship from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, in July 1991. Dr. Lydiatt is an associate professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and is a member of head and neck surgical oncology, department of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery and the department of surgery. he is also a member of the UNMC graduate faculty and is a member of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. His practices are limited to head and neck surgical oncology.

Dr. William Lydiatt did his training in otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He then completed a two and a half year National Cancer Institute sponsored fellowship in head and neck oncologic surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. He is currently on staff as an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His practice is primarily limited to diagnosis and treatment of premalignant and malignant lesions of the head and neck. His research interests include an investigation of molecular abnormalities in premalignant lesions and the study of field cancerization. He works closely with colleagues in the Nebraska Dental School in oral biology and oral pathology and molecular biologists in the department of anatomy. He is also actively involved in clinical trials with various experimental therapies for advanced cancers of the head and neck. He has authored and co-authored over 30 book chapters and original manuscripts.

Dr. Lynn Mack-Shipman has been a member of the kidney transplantation team since 1996. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Doane College in Crete, Neb., in 1984 and a medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1991. She served an internship and residency in internal medicine at UNMC. In 1996 Dr. Mack-Shipman completed a fellowship with the section of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism at UNMC. She is board-certified in internal medicine and board eligible in endocrinology.

Dr. Timothy McCashland joined the adult liver-small bowel transplantation and the adult liver and small bowel transplantation team in 1993. He earned a bachelor of science degree at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and his MD from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1987. He completed his residency in internal medicine at UNMC in 1990. Dr. McCashland served a fellowship in gastroenterology at UNMC before completing a fellowship in therapeutic endoscopy at Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1993. Dr. McCashland is a board-certified physician in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

Dr. Janet Merfeld has been practicing radiation oncology for the past seven years. Dr. Merfeld has varied interests within radiation oncology, but has focused her efforts on breast cancer and endometrial cancer. She has presented papers at national meetings and has been a member of numerous committees within the hospital system. Dr. Merfeld also participates in the investigative protocols through CALGB, NSABP, SWOG and RTOG.

Dr. James O’Dell is professor of internal medicine, chief of the rheumatology and immunology section and vice chairman of the department of internal medicine at University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is also program director for the internal medicine residency training program at UNMC. Dr. O’Dell’s main area of interest is clinical research on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. O’Dell directs the Rheumatoid Arthritis Investigational Network (RAIN), which is a consortium of 41 rheumatologists in the Midwest who are primarily in private practice and have as their central goal state-of-the-art studies on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Major studies published by RAIN include a study showing that the combination of methotrexate, sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine is more effective in treating rheumatoid patients than methotrexate alone (New England Journal of Medicine, May 1996); a study showing a significant effect of minocycline when used early in the course of rheumatoid arthritis (Arthritis and Rheumatism, May 1997); and the first report ever that genetics can be used to predict treatment responses in rheumatoid arthritis (Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, April 1998). Dr. O’Dell is currently chairman of the American College of Rheumatology committee on clinical research. Dr. Zivko Pavletic has been a member of the bone marrow transplantation team since 1997. He earned his medical degree from Zagreb University School of Medicine in Croatia. He served an internship and residency at Rebro University Hospital in Zagreb. In 1988-89,

Dr. Steven Pavletic completed a hematology fellowship in Zagreb. In the United States, Dr. Pavletic served a clinical fellowship in bone marrow transplantation at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center at the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle from 1990-92. He was a resident at the University of Nebraska Medical Center until 1995 and served an oncology/hematology fellowship at UNMC from 1995-97. Dr. Pavletic is board-certified in internal medicine and oncology.

Dr. Elizabeth Reed has been a member of the bone marrow transplantation team since 1988, and is the head of the bone marrow transplant program. She received her undergraduate degree from Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska, in 1977 and her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1980. She served a residency at UNMC and completed a fellowship in oncology at UNMC in 1985. Dr. Reed was selected senior fellow, division of infectious diseases, department of medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. Dr. Reed is board-certified in internal medicine with an oncology subspecialty.

Dr. Cheng Saw has been involved in the radiation oncology field for over 15 years as a medical physicist. Dr. Saw has certifications from the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and the American Board of Medical Physicist (ABMP). Dr. Saw has been very active in various areas of radiation oncology and the associated physics applications. His experience in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is well-known and he has presented and published numerous articles. Dr. Saw also has experience with HDR Brachytherapy and 3D Conformal Radiotherapy techniques.

Dr. Daniel Schafer has been a member of the adult liver/small bowel transplantation team since 1990. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In 1978 he completed his residency at UNMC before moving on to serve as clinical associate, liver diseases section, digestive disease branch at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. Dr. Schafer is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

Dr. Byers Shaw Jr. is chairman of the department of surgery and co-founded the liver transplantation program in 1985. He has been a member of the adult liver/small bowel transplantation program since its inception in 1990. Dr. Shaw completed his undergraduate work at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio and received his medical degree from Case Western University in Cleveland. He served a surgical residency at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City where he was chief resident of surgery in 1980-81. Dr. Shaw was granted a fellowship in transplantation surgery at the University of Pittsburgh from 1983-85. Dr. Shaw is board-certified in surgery and critical care surgery.

Dr. Michael Sorrell, medical director, is co-founder of the adult liver and small bowel transplantation program. He is internationally renowned for his work in liver and small bowel transplantation. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He completed an internal medicine residency in 1968 and a gastroenterology residency in 1969 at UNMC. Dr. Sorrell developed the transplantation program at UNMC. He was the driving force in securing the necessary funding to build The Lied Transplant Center. He is board-certified in internal medicine.

Dr. Debra Sudan has been a member of the liver and adult liver-small bowel transplantation teams since 1996. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio in 1985. Dr. Sudan received her medical degree in 1989 from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. She completed her residency in general surgery at Wright State and earned fellowships in transplant research at New York University in 1992 and in transplantation surgery at UNMC from 1994-96. Dr. Sudan is board-certified in surgery.

Dr. Stefano Tarantolo has been a member of the bone marrow transplantation team since 1991. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He received his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies in 1985. Dr. Tarantolo served his residency at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ from 1985-88 and was chief resident at Jersey Shore in 1987-88. He completed a hematology/oncology fellowship at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School/University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ in 1991, in addition to a transfusion medicine elective at the same institution. Dr. Tarantolo is board-certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology.

Dr. Rodney Taylor is the co-director of the kidney/pancreas transplantation program and has been a member of the kidney transplantation team since 1986. He received his undergraduate degree from Northeastern University in Boston and his medical degree from the University of Vermont. Dr. Taylor served a surgical internship from 1973-74 at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He went on to complete a surgical residency at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York in 1977 and a urology residency at Albany Medical Center in 1978. He served another urology residency and later a research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Taylor is a board-certified urologist.

Dr. Aaron R. Sasson, MD is a member of the Surgical Oncology Section in the Department of Surgery. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He received his medical degree from UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ. He completed his residency and general surgery at the University of California San Diego Medical Center and earned a fellowship in surgical oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Dr. Sasson’s clinical interests include endocrine and gastrointestinal neoplasms. He has particular interest in the management of pancreatic cancer. Dr. Sasson is board certified in general surgery.

Dr. Robert Thompson has been a practicing radiation oncologist for the past 14 years. He is board certified with the American Board of Radiology in therapeutic radiology. Dr. Thompson also participates in the investigative protocols through CALGB, NSABP, SWOG and RTOG. Dr. Thompson’s specialties include: brachytherapy techniques including afterloading, interstitial implants, intracavitary treatments, radiosurgery, head and neck cancers, lung and breast cancers along with other various radiotherapies

Dr. Jon Vanderhoof has been a member of the pediatric transplant team since 1985. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Vanderhoof was a pediatric resident at UNMC from 1972-74. He served a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at UCLA Center for Health Sciences. Dr. Vanderhoof is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology.

Dr. Julie Vose has been a member of the bone marrow transplantation team since 1990. She is the vice-chairperson of research for Internal Medicine at UNMC/NHS. Dr. Vose received a bachelor of science in medical technology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1979 and her medical degree at UNMC in 1984. Dr. Vose completed her residency at UNMC in 1987 and was chief resident in 1988. She served an oncology/hematology fellowship at UNMC from 1988-90. Dr. Vose is internationally recognized in lymphoma treatment programs and has headed numerous research and clinical trial programs. Dr. Vose is board-certified in internal medicine and oncology. She is a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathology.

Dr. Phyllis Warkentin is the director of the unrelated bone marrow transplantation program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Health System. She received her medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, in 1974. She finished her residency in pediatrics and served fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and blood banking at the University of Minnesota Hospital and clinics. Dr. Warkentin is board-certified in pediatrics, pediatrics-hematology/oncology and pathology-blood banking.

Dr. Dennis Weisenburger is professor of pathology and microbiology, director of hematopathology fellowship program, chief pathologist for the Nebraska lymphoma study group, and a courtesy professor at the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases. Dr. Weisenburger received his MD from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN in 1974, and completed his hematopathology fellowship at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, Calif., in 1980.

Dr. Rowen Zetterman has been a member of the adult liver-small bowel transplantation team since 1990. He received a bachelor of science degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1969. Dr. Zetterman was chief of the medical staff at UNMC in 1997 and is currently director of clinical operations, department of internal medicine and interim chair for the department of radiation oncology at UNMC. He completed an internal medicine residency in 1971 and a fellowship in gastroenterology in 1972 from UNMC, in addition to a fellowship in hepatology and nutrition in the department of internal medicine at the New Jersey College of Medicine at Newark in 1974. Dr. Zetterman is board-certified in internal medicine with a specialty of gastroenterology.

New Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Classification
Dr. James Armitage, with the collaboration of UNMC staff and international colleagues, recently evaluated the reproducibility and clinical relevance of a new lymphoma classification.

Previously, non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas were grouped by cell size, shape and pattern of growth. The International Lymphoma Study Group (ILSG), however, thought lymphomas could be further classified based on advances that had been made in immunology and genetics and, therefore, proposed a new classification. It was not only based on cell characteristics but also on genetic defects, as well as other factors. Dr. Armitage and Dr. Dennis Weisenburger decided to test the new classification, called the Revised European American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms (REAL), in the clinical setting in order to study its effectiveness. The team found that using the new classification led to more accurate diagnoses of individual specific diseases. The study showed that using the REAL definitions made it possible to accurately identify most of the major types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. By proving that the new classification worked, the team provided the data to make a consensus on the new classification possible.

The World Health Organization (WHO), which publishes classification handbooks for pathologists, has adopted a modification of the REAL classification for diagnosing lymphomas, in part because of the reproducibility and clinical relevance demonstrated by the study spearheaded by the UNMC lymphoma research team. The new classification will be published in the fall of 2000. The last WHO handbook on lymphomas was published in 1976. Classification of lymphomas has been controversial in the past and it was difficult to establish an internationally recognized classification. Once the handbook is published, it is believed that the WHO classification will represent the first worldwide consensus on the classification of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Custom Cancer Vaccine
Almost 57,000 new cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were diagnosed in 1999, making it the fifth most common cancer in the United States. The incidence of this disease has increased by nearly 80 percent since the early 1970s. Working on a new means of battling this menacing disease Dr. Julie Vose, vice chairperson of research for internal medicine at UNMC/NHS, embarked on a new lymphoma clinical trial in June 1999. According to Dr. Vose, a significant difficulty in treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is getting patients to stay in remission from the disease. The new trial targets the problem of maintaining a patient’s remission. “Most clinical trials address how to put lymphoma patients into remission,” said Dr. Vose. “We’re looking into how to keep them there. We’re attacking lymphoma from a whole different angle.” Specifically, the new clinical trial utilizes pharmacogenomics, matching drugs to each patient’s individual genetic makeup, in order to maintain a remission. The result is a custom cancer vaccine based on a patient’s unique genetic makeup and derived from his or her own tumor cells. Ironically, the bad cells that make up the patient’s cancer will then serve to fight off a recurrence of the cancer. In theory, a series of immunizations will then build the body’s ability to identify and fight a recurring lymphoma. It is hoped that this immune response will not only prolong a patient’s remission, but that it may also cure the cancer completely. The current vaccine trial has expanded to include both slow-growing and aggressive lymphomas. Dr. Vose plans to begin developing the vaccines at UNMC/NHS in about a year.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
The benefits of research are that discoveries or knowledge gained in one area often can apply to others. Knowledge from the treatment of cancer is now being taken a step further at UNMC/NHS. Our physicians are applying their expertise to determine if stem cell transplants can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. A pilot study is underway involving patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded to commonly used treatments and are at increased risk of disability and disability-related mortality. In this study, intensive immunoablation is followed by autologous blood stem cell transplantation. The preliminary results have been very promising. Two patients in the pilot program have experienced a remarkable 95-percent improvement in swollen and tender joints, and their arthritis appears to be in remission. Further clinical tests are underway.

Multiple Sclerosis
Similar studies are being conducted with patients who have primary progressive, relapsing/remitting or secondary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether treatment with total body irradiation, and higher doses of immunosuppressive agents followed by re-infusion of blood stem cells, will delay the progression of the disease, or has the potential to stop the disease process. Preliminary results have been very encouraging.

Lymphoma Program
University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Health System is one of the most advanced centers in the U.S. for lymphoma treatment. We are world-renowned for diagnosis, therapy and research in lymphoma. Our lymphoma team consists of such internationally acclaimed specialists as James Armitage, MD; Philip Bierman, MD; R. Gregory Bociek, MD; and Julie M. Vose, MD, who are supported by highly trained coordinators. We are also treating rare forms of lymphoma that are confined to the skin. The two most common forms are cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides) and peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Patients are treated with rotational total skin electron beam therapy. This therapy has been effective in patients for whom other treatments have failed.

Oncology and Hematology
Our oncology and hematology programs provide expert treatment for all malignancies that occur in adults and children. Treatment may include chemotherapy and immunotherapy, including vaccines and radioimmunoconjugates. Hematology treats patients with blood diseases such as anemia, bleeding disorders and clotting problems. This department is home to the Regional Hemophilia Treatment Center, which cares for adult and pediatric patients with bleeding disorders. It is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of the nation’s 17 leading cancer centers. NCCN centers develop and set standards of care for the cancer treatment and perform outcome research to ensure the delivery of high quality, cost-effective services to cancer patients worldwide. Our nurses and support personnel are specialized in cancer care. The treatment area is open to patients 24 hours every day.

Transplantation Programs
Elizabeth Reed, MD, heads UNMC/NHS bone marrow transplant programs. Our multidisciplinary transplantation team for adult and pediatric patients includes physicians, case managers, registered nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, pharmacists, nutritionists, child-life specialists and more. Over the past 15 years, we have conducted more than 7,500 bone marrow, stem cell and solid organ transplants. High-dose therapy with bone marrow or peripheral stem cell transplantation is also available. We are proud of our peripheral stem cell transplantation program directed by Anne Kessinger, MD, who pioneered the technique. The team is known throughout the world for its transplantation expertise for a variety of diseases and has treated patients from every U.S. state and 23 countries. UNMC/NHS transplant center has fast become the destination of choice for well-informed international patients seeking bone marrow, stem cell and solid organ transplants, and cancer treatment.

Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Over the years, the UNMC/NHS bone marrow transplantation program has been consistently ranked as one of the busiest adult and pediatric bone marrow transplant centers in the world. Established in 1983, it has been recognized internationally for pioneering autologous transplantation for lymphoma, using peripheral stem cells as an alternative rescue product, performing outpatient transplants and conducting groundbreaking studies on various growth factors. Broad services include high-dose therapy and autologous rescue for lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, leukemia, neuroblastoma and such solid tumors as breast, testicular, ovarian and other cancers. More than 1,800 autologous bone marrow transplants have been performed here since 1989.

Allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
We have offered related allogenic transplants to children and adults since 1983 and added unrelated allogenic bone marrow transplantation in 1988. We are constantly refining transplantation techniques to include work in peripheral blood stem cell transplants, better techniques for T-depletion of bone marrow, immunologic therapy after transplantation and immune reconstitution after peripheral stem cell transplantation. Our multidisciplinary team includes adult and pediatric physicians, case managers, registered nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, child-life specialists and more. We have now performed more than 500 related and unrelated allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplants at our center.

Liver Transplantation
The UNMC/NHS liver transplant program has garnered international recognition and a worldwide referral base since its beginning in 1985. Ongoing advances in research have consistently focused on improving immunosuppression, hepatocyte transplantation, immortalizing liver cells and improving treatment for hepatitis. These efforts include active research in hepatocyte transplantation, immortalized liver cells, extracorporeal hepatic support and hepatitis treatment and prevention. Auxiliary treatments are available as a bridge to transplantation. Our liver transplant program currently has patient and graft survival rates that far exceed the national average in adult, pediatric and living related-donor transplants as well as reduced-size transplants.

Liver/Small Bowel Transplantation
UNMC/NHS is one of the few transplant centers in the world offering small bowel and liver/ small bowel transplantation. In 1990, we performed the first of its kind combined liver/small bowel transplant. This highly specialized procedure for children and adults is performed by the same multidisciplinary team that achieved success in the liver transplant arena. Consistently favorable outcomes and survival rates have made this program one of the busiest and most successful in the world.

Intestinal Transplantation
Based on their success with the combined liver/small bowel procedure, our transplantation specialists began performing intestinal transplants in 1993. Today, we are one of few facilities with expertise in this unique technique. Innovation, solid outcomes and high patient survival rates have distinguished this program as a world leader in intestinal transplantation.

Kidney Transplantation
The UNMC/NHS kidney transplant program began in 1970, and has consistently maintained a high volume of adult, pediatric and living related-kidney transplants with patient survival rates that exceed the national average. The kidney transplant program’s success is largely due to our dedicated, internationally renowned multidisciplinary team of medical professionals. Specialists provide comprehensive treatment programs for both adult and pediatric patients in endocrinology, nephrology, psychology and transplantation. Patients have three transplant options: living related, living non-related and non-living donors. Ongoing research in pre- and post-transplant issues includes multiple clinical trials and areas of basic research.

Kidney/Pancreas Transplantation
Since 1989, UNMC/NHS has performed hundreds of combined kidney/pancreas transplants, achieving high success rates. We are one of the few transplant centers in the nation offering pancreas and kidney/pancreas transplantation. Continuing clinical and basic research includes activity with insulin pumps, islet cell transplantation and immunosuppressive drug trials.

Pancreas Transplantation
UNMC/NHS became the fifth center in the world to perform 200 pancreas-only transplants and has historically been one of the busiest transplant centers in the United States. Our multidisciplinary team of specialists provides expertise in diabetes, endocrinology, nephrology, psychology, psychiatry and surgery.

Prostate Cancer
Our radiation technology offers the latest options and a high probability of success for prostate cancer patients over the traditional prostatectomy. Our protocol includes:

a) Three-Dimensional Conformal Prostate Treatment. This technique involves using multiple beam therapy to provide higher doses of irradiation to the prostate, while limiting the dose to normal structures, such as the bladder and rectum. The increased prostate radiation doses possible with this technique have already demonstrated a 20- to 25-percent improvement in disease-free survival over standard techniques, with less risk of side effects. The 3-D conformal prostate program is further strengthened by the use of prostate ultrasound targeting (BAT) and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

b) Prostate Brachytherapy. This technique has been active in the treatment of prostate cancer with ultrasound guided radioactive seed implants. For many men with early stage prostate cancer, this treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis with excellent results and is very effective treatment for men concerned about potency preservation.

Cardiac Transplantation
The UNMC/NHS cardiac transplant program, started in 1994, treats critically ill children and adults who require urgent care and transplantation. The program’s multidisciplinary approach combines the expertise of transplant surgeons, pulmonologists, immunologists, infectious disease physicians, pediatric cardiologists, social workers and psychologists, as well as cardiac nurse coordinators.

University of Nebraska Medical Center

The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in research, education and patient care. UNMC had its beginnings nearly 120 years ago as a college of medicine. Today, UNMC’s nine academic units offer quality education to medical students from across the U.S. and around the world. Direct teaching affiliations are with Nebraska Health System, the Veterans Administration Medical Center and eight community hospitals. Students have access to facilities totaling 2,800 teaching beds. The College of Medicine offers the doctor of medicine degree and graduate medical education in 17 specialties and 12 subspecialties, including family practice.

The College of Dentistry offers the doctor of dental science (DDS), dental hygiene degrees and graduate work in seven specialty areas.

The College of Nursing offers a four-year bachelor of science in nursing both for full-time students and registered nurses seeking a bachelor’s degree. Nurses also may pursue a master’s degree, a post-master’s certificate for graduates seeking additional professional development, and a doctoral degree.

The College of Pharmacy offers a doctor of pharmacy degree (PharmD) – one of the first in the nation to offer this program – which emphasizes knowledge of medication and patient care. The College of Pharmacy provides drug and health information to more than 30 rural pharmacies though a computerized health information network.

The School of Allied Health Professions offers bachelor’s degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates and professional master’s degrees in 11 specialties, including physical therapy and medical technology.

Graduate Studies and Research Opportunities: UNMC offers graduate study and research programs in anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, physiology and biophysics.

UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation includes a center for the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with developmental, genetic, physical and emotional handicaps and disabilities. The institute also features the state’s only comprehensive genetics laboratory. Areas of specialization include fetal health, genetic counseling, clinical diagnosis, chromosome analysis and amniocentesis.

The Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, under the leadership of Chairman James Armitage, MD, is represented by more than 100 faculty members, including MDs and PhDs. Faculty members may also be affiliated with University Medical Associates’ primary care clinics and the Omaha Veterans Administration Medical Center. In addition to administration, the department of internal medicine includes 12 sections in general internal medicine, and 11 additional subspecialties, including: cardiology; diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolism (DEM); dermatology; gastroenterology and hepatology; general internal medicine; geriatrics and gerontology; infectious diseases; nephrology; neurology; oncology and hematology; pulmonary and critical care medicine; and rheumatology and immunology. Internal medicine offers research opportunities, a medical residency program and continuing medical education programs.

The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in a six-state region. The cancer center is also a founding member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of 17 leading cancer centers in the United States. The basic research component of the cancer center is the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, which was founded in 1963. Researchers are studying how environmental factors affect cancer development and what mechanisms control cell growth. Basic and clinical researchers unite to develop new diagnostic tests and treatments for cancer.

UneMed Corporation: Transferring innovations in medical technology to the marketplace is an important part of UNMC’s research and public service missions. UNMC’s UneMed Corporation serves as an intermediary between the Medical Center and industry through research collaborations, joint ventures, new company startups and other industrial relationships.

Our office of International Healthcare Services (OIHS) opens doors for international institutions and individual physicians to create strategic international partnership programs with University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Health System. With a unique combination of pioneering medical innovation, advanced treatment options, technical know-how, research and exchange programs, problem solving skills and resourceful solutions, we provide the best strategic partnership programs in the medical sector. Our International Professional Strategic Partnership Programs offer distinctive benefits to our global partners, including no cost training programs:

The Gift of Life
We assure our international partners that their patients will receive the very best in medical care. Our collaboration can offer these patients the possibility of an extended life or a cure, under the care and treatment of medical teams headed by internationally respected physicians and specialists.

Consulting Partnership
Early detection of cancer is a major step toward a successful outcome. It’s a sad fact that often when an international patient arrives for treatment in the U.S., the disease has reached an advanced stage and limited treatment options may be available. Through our partnership program, we will work closely with our international partners to determine the most appropriate treatment plan, and to prevent potentially dangerous time delays. As early as a patient’s first visit, you can contact UNMC/NHS immediately via video-conferencing, telephone or fax to discuss your diagnosis. The individual or institution’s physician-partner will retain complete independence over a patient’s treatment programs, but can greatly benefit from the experience of our renowned physicians and the latest treatment options available. Our specialists will be available for consultation with your patient on an ongoing basis throughout the course of treatment, and we can arrange for patient visits to our facilities in Omaha for further tests, evaluation and treatment, when necessary. Our alliance will help provide your patients with the very best medical care from the onset of their diagnosis.

Personalized Care for Your Patients
With your call as a referring physician, OIHS will assign a patient-care coordinator to organize all aspects of your patient’s visit to our facility.

Electronic Referral and Consultation
As our strategic partner, you’ll be able to consult with the finest specialists at UNMC/NHS. We offer extensive referral, consultation and video-conferencing programs utilizing state-of-the-art technology for transferring patient history and patient test data.

The Best Technology
We have been selected as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer and rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report magazine. UNMC/NHS received a 100-percent grade for our advanced medical technology. International physicians and their patients are beneficiaries of our innovative medical and technological programs, rated among the very best in the U.S.

Tele-Health Programs
OIHS forms strategic alliances with international institutions by providing tele-health programs which transmit medical information and images among locations via computer. Our program makes possible the exchange of real-time interactive diagnosis and electronic consultations for a wide variety of medical specialties. This technology allows specialists at UNMC/NHS to study patient reports and histories, pathology slides, X-rays and other radiological images from our international partners. Our institutional and individual partners have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the medical, research, educational and economic benefits derived from developing tele-health programs with us. UNMC/NHS is one of only a few U.S. medical institutions providing such extensive, high-tech services to physicians and medical institutions around the world.

Tele-Education Opportunities
In collaboration with University of Nebraska College of Medicine, UNMC/NHS has developed creative tele-education programs which can be customized for our international partners. Our programs will provide the latest, most advanced medical, research, educational and economic information available.

Venues for Clinical Studies
When new procedures and equipment are developed by UNMC/NHS research teams, qualified strategic partners can participate with us in conducting clinical trials.

Educational Exchange Programs
We provide rewarding and educational physician-exchange and student-exchange programs for our international partners.

• On-line Exchange Programs: Our extensive programs make use of state-of-the-art computerized technology to provide our international partners access to advanced health care education and medical technology.

• Exchange Programs in the U.S.A.: We offer your medical staff, administrators and others opportunities to learn the many aspects of medical and administrative operations by spending as little as two weeks to a maximum of six months as observers at the various medical specialties within our institution. They can also take advantage of our extensive medical library and research materials, and have access to our vast on-line research capabilities.

• Remote Training Programs: We provide specialized training programs at our partners’ facilities. Such missions can be useful in training large numbers of your medical staff. We can customize a wide variety of programs since UNMC is a fully accredited, highly respected academic medical center with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry; and Office of Graduate Studies and School of Allied Health.

Research Programs
Our international programs present dynamic opportunities for global cooperative efforts in research. Joint research activities can be arranged at our transplant and other research facilities. Limited research programs can take place at our renowned UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, a founding member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Our team of researchers can also participate in research projects organized by our partners at their facilities.

No-cost Training Programs
We have developed special, no-cost training programs for qualified international partners. Please contact Nizar Mamdani, Executive Director, OIHS, for details on all our programs.

Service Beyond Expectations
The office of International Healthcare Services (OIHS) customizes all healthcare programs to meet the unique needs of each of our international patients. All arrangements for visits are handled through our office with courtesy and professionalism, helping patients and their families in accessing the superb care that is the signature of UNMC/NHS.

Review of Medical Records and Consultations
Patients’ medical records can be faxed, mailed or electronically transmitted to OIHS, along with applicable films and test results. Our physicians carefully review medical histories to determine the best course of treatment and whether it will benefit a patient to travel to Omaha to receive this treatment. When necessary, OIHS will arrange preliminary telephone consultations or video-conferencing between patients, their personal physicians and our specialists. We then provide the fastest possible response regarding each patient’s selection to receive treatment at our facilities and, if selected, the length of time a patient needs to spend in Omaha.

Doctor Appointments
We efficiently coordinate all scheduling of a patient’s medical treatments, follow-up health care visits and confirmation of the patient’s appointment schedule.

Patient Coordinator
With one phone call from a referring physician or patient, a patient care coordinator is assigned to organize all aspects of a patient’s visit, including appointments, scheduling, medical care, financial clearance, translation, transportation and lodging. A patient care coordinator personally assists each patient throughout his or her stay in Omaha. Upon request, the patient coordinator will also help with cultural and religious preferences. We are respectful to each patient’s cultural background and to concerns about living far from home.

Updating Referring Physicians
OIHS keeps referring physicians informed about their patients’ care on a periodic basis throughout the treatment period. When a patient returns home, we regularly confer with the referring physician on the patient’s progress as well as on any necessary follow-up care.

Language Interpretation
We provide interpreters to facilitate communication with our physicians, nursing staff and other hospital personnel. Interpreters in a wide variety of languages, plus signing, are available on request.

International Air Ambulance
When requested, OIHS will oversee arrangements for international jet ambulance services to bring patients to our hospital. Local helicopter ambulance service is also available.

Cost Estimates, Financing and Billing
After our physicians have reviewed a patient’s medical history, we provide advance estimates for all charges. OIHS financial counselors will handle deposits and assist patients with other financial matters before, during and after their visit, including the completion of financial and other forms to facilitate settlement of a patient’s medical expenses. We also provide notary services.

Business and Resource Center
OIHS, in cooperation with The Lied Transplant Center, offers international patients and their families the complimentary use of an on-site resource center. This facility has a small library and is equipped with a fax machine, copier and computers with e-mail, Internet and World Wide Web connections. Guest services staff will be on hand to help locate web sites or chat rooms of medical interest to patients.

The Lied Transplant Center Accommodations
Upon special request and subject to availability, we will arrange for a patient’s accommodations at The Lied Transplant Center’s inpatient suites located within the hospital facility. All suites consist of two rooms and include not only many of the comforts of home, but numerous amenities and are Internet-ready to serve the medical, business and personal needs of patients. A guest services coordinator and chef are on staff at the center.

Accommodations
OIHS helps patients and their families find long- or short-term accommodations that best suit their individual preferences and budgets. We will arrange for discounted rates at local hotels or apartments when reservations are made through our office. Our coordinator will assist in procuring requested VIP accommodations.

Local Transportation
An OIHS representative will greet patients and their families at the Omaha airport and accompany them in a limousine to their living quarters. We will provide limousine transportation to the airport after a patient’s recovery period and help arrange other transportation needs in Omaha.

Travel
OIHS assists patients and their family members with travel arrangements to our facilities, including air transportation to Omaha. In addition, at the patient’s request, we can help with necessary paper work to obtain travel visa.

Special Diets
We are sensitive to patients’ and their families’ special dietary needs and restrictions and will, in coordination with the medical staff, provide suggestions for healthful and satisfying meals.

Concierge Services
On request, our staff will make arrangements or reservations for restaurant, entertainment, sightseeing, shopping and golf excursions.

Executive Physicals and Other Medical Services
We offer several comprehensive physical check-up options for international executives. One- or two-day physicals are tailored to meet the time constraints of busy executives and their families. Any special tests or appointments with our physicians can also be scheduled at the same time as an executive physical.

Publications
OIHS keeps patients and their physicians informed of the latest medical advances at our facilities and of any additions to our services.

Health Information Website
International physicians, healthcare providers, patients and their families can learn about the latest health news and information by visiting the OIHS Website at www.InternationalMed.org, OncoCare.net and BestCancerCare.com. The OIHS Website will include a health library, prescription drug encyclopedia, important medical links and health care articles.

Personalized Patient Package
Our comprehensive, personalized international patient package includes:
a. Details of our treatment program
b. Description of our admission policy
c. A copy of our policies in a patient’s native language d.Explanation of our requirement for deposit and payment of medical expenses
e. A blank form for the patient’s medical history, which will be used for a pre-treatment evaluation by our physicians
f. Estimate of the duration of treatment for specific types of procedures
g. A guide for patients on procedures for scheduling medical services, whether for physician appointments, diagnostic testing or inpatient care
h. A list of non-medical related services such as assistance with travel arrangements, air and ground ambulance, transportation to and from the airport, hotel arrangements and other personal services
i. Information on the availability of translators or signers and other associated services
j. Background information on our medical center, its comprehensive services and other pertinent medical information k. Information on the city of Omaha

“Thank God and thank the University of Nebraska Medical Center. As far as I’m concerned, I am cured. The reason I came here is because of the well-deserved international acclaim that the University of Nebraska Medical Center has for its bone marrow transplantation program. For 25 years I’ve been treating patients with cancer of the urinary tract. I’ve always talked to and treated these patients, hopefully, with a great deal of respect and compassion. When I entered the other side of health care, that is being a patient myself, I learned about the importance of sensitivity, not only to the patient, but also to the patient’s primary caregiver. That was certainly reinforced at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.”
- Richard, MD, adult bone marrow transplant patient

“At 38, I had a relapse of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I researched several BMT centers and chose Nebraska. From the time we started the process, I encountered such a professional and knowledgeable staff. They kept us fully informed of what was happening and what to expect as the days went by. They were so caring during a time that was so challenging for me. I believe I had the best care that could have been given and I am so thankful. I am enjoying life to its fullest, watching my four young children grow and cherishing my husband, family and friends. The transplant program means the world to me.”
- Cheryl, adult bone marrow transplant patient

“Throughout the process, they not only focused on Kyle’s medical needs, but took great effort in caring for us as a family. We were far away from home and in a situation that was so unfamiliar and frightening. When we returned for Kyle’s one-year checkup, it truly felt like a family reunion and like a second home to us. A place in our hearts will always be reserved for those who loved and cared for Kyle and us.”
- Parents of Kyle, pediatric transplant patient

“Three years later and my lungs are doing great! I couldn’t have done it without all those hardworking, caring doctors, nurses and physical therapists. They were also very good at keeping my family informed of what was going on and what they were doing. The doctors and nurses are the best.”
- Andrea, young adult bilateral-lung transplant patient

“During a very difficult time for our family, we found comfort in knowing that Connor was receiving the best medical care possible. We had total confidence in Connor’s doctors and the entire transplant team. We highly recommend Nebraska Health System to anyone in need of a transplant. We are grateful for all they have done for Connor’s aunt, his living relative organ donor, and for giving our son the chance for a healthy life.”
- Parents of Connor, a three-year-old transplant patient

“When I found out I needed a new liver, I wanted my surgery to be done at the best place, NHS University Hospital in Nebraska. When I got ‘the call,’ we rushed to the hospital. I was treated with such dignity… from the doctors and nurses to the housekeeping staff, I had never seen such remarkable people. They had the most unbelievable attitudes. After six days in the hospital, I was on my way home. My life had been extended, hopefully for a long time, thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at Nebraska Health System.”
- Chuck, adult liver transplant patient

“The transplant process has been both exciting and complex for me and filled with many thoughts and emotions – hopefulness, nervousness, uncertainty and determination. From the time I was placed on the waiting list until I received the transplant, I received support through all the stages. The availability and willingness of the transplant team to answer questions, provide straightforward information and include me in the decision-making process, made this a positive experience. The nurses and entire hospital staff were caring and respectful toward my family and me, too. I trust they’ll be there for me in the future.”
- Jeri, adult kidney/pancreas transplant patient

“At age 27 , Lisa had just graduated from college, fallen in love, nearly finished her doctoral program and fought Hodgkin’s Disease. She left her home in New York City to come to NHS University Hospital in Omaha. After three months of further chemotherapy, she had a stem cell transplant followed by two months of radiation therapy. “Overall, the treatments were not as horrific as I’d envisioned. The most frustrating part was being tired all the time.” Four months later, Lisa prepared to move back to New York. Doctors are extremely optimistic Lisa is cured. “I have a whole, full life ahead of me. I can finish graduate school and get married.”
- Lisa, stem cell transplant patient