Our tele-health programs facilitate worldwide transmission of electronic medical information, images, interactive diagnoses and real-time consultations in cancer care. This sophisticated communication technology enables University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Health System specialists to receive, within a matter of minutes, patient reports and histories, pathology slides, X-rays and other radiological images for analysis from locations worldwide. International physicians and patients may also choose to consult with UNMC/NHS specialists via real-time video conferencing for instantaneous consultation, diagnosis and patient care.

Customized Tele-Education Solutions Provide Flexibility
Our tele-health and tele-education programs provide excellent opportunities for international institutions to benefit from the latest and most advanced medical, research, educational and economic information available. In collaboration with University of Nebraska College of Medicine, our office of International Healthcare Services will, on request, develop customized, creative tele-education programs – extremely useful tools for international health care and educational institutions.

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.

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.

It comes from within, this driving force as strong as life itself to treat the sick and heal the injured; to strive to cure and comfort when others cannot.

As diverse as the people they serve, They are united by their uncompromising dedication To excellence, innovation and compassion.

They are the nurses of Nebraska Health System And University of Nebraska Medical Center. The work they do and the results they achieve Can only be called… extraordinary.

UNMC/NHS takes pride in a dedicated nursing and support staff second to none, recognized not only for their high level of expertise and professionalism, but also for their genuine friendliness, compassion and respect for the patient and family.

Our nurses know that there are simply no shortcuts to extraordinary care. Each of our dedicated staff of 1,550 registered nurses focuses on every detail of patient care, providing nothing less than superb nursing care. Our registered nurses to beds ratio of 1:1.28 is considered one of the nation’s best.

Specially trained oncology nurses triage and care for patients in inpatient, outpatient and emergency areas dedicated to cancer patients only. They provide this specialized care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our cancer care is seamlessly integrated with our world-famous transplantation programs.

We are distinguished by our compassion. We understand how very difficult coping with cancer can be. What separates us from many cancer centers is our multidisciplinary approach in treating the whole patient and our complete dedication to doing everything we can to normalize a patient’s life before, during and after treatment. We believe cancer is a disease of the family, not just the individuals and we offer an extensive range of services for both. Classes, support groups, a resource library, and special programs and facilities help contribute to the comfort level and the completeness of our care.

“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

University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Health System scored 100 percent of the available points in medical technology in U.S. News & World Report magazine’s survey of “America’s Best Hospitals.”

• A revolutionary technology allows our radiation oncologists to plan and control the precise dose of radiation treatment to the target, based on the tumor size, shape and location, while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. The intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment planning system is being used by UNMC/NHS to treat a variety of malignancies including brain tumors, head and neck malignancies, prostate cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, Hodgkin’s disease and lymphomas. The IMRT system, called Corvus®, is the first planning system that uses the speed and power of the computer to precisely pinpoint target areas and evaluate hundreds of possible treatment options. The system’s ability to vary the intensity of the radiation beam facilitates protection of sensitive structures, while effectively treating the target.

• The treatment of prostate cancer with three-dimensional conformal prostate treatment uses multiple beam therapy to provide higher doses of radiation to the prostate, while limiting the dose to normal structures, such as the bladder and rectum. The increased prostate radiation doses made possible with this technique have already demonstrated a 20- to 25-percent improvement in survival over standard techniques, with reduced risk for side effects. We utilize an ultrasound targeting system called BAT for patients receiving treatment for prostate cancer. This method insures pinpoint accuracy when treating the prostate gland. Ultrasound guided prostate brachytherapy (radioactive seed placement) is an effective treatment option available for patients with early stage prostate cancer.

• Another weapon we are using in cancer treatment is intraoperative radiation (IORT) therapy. This program was recently strengthened with the addition of our intraoperative radiation therapy suite. The integration of IORT in orthopedic oncology resulted in a limb preservation rate in excess of 90 percent for treatment of extremity sarcomas. This procedure is also used for treatment of advanced or recurrent gynecologic malignancies.

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 retirees 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

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 that would ease the patients’ retirement life. A pilot study is underway involving retired 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.

* 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.