Celebrating Our Amazing Staff
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Thank You, Dental Assistants and Sterilization Staff!
We would like to recognize and thank our dental assistants and sterilization staff for their hard work and for going above and beyond to keep our college community safe, especially during the pandemic. During the past year and a half, they took on different responsibilities with courage. They have had important roles in helping the college continue to offer the best possible educational experiences and extraordinary patient care.
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Dental assistants develop creative solutions to minimize clinic traffic
Starting in June 2020, the dental assistants in the Lincoln clinic took on the role of runners to help minimize clinic traffic and reduce the spread of aerosols. They implemented an ingenious call system to communicate with students and faculty – they placed lights in each cubicle and the color of the light communicated what was going on in the cubicle and what was needed of the runner.
“If a cubicle had a red light, the runner knew there was an emergency. A green light meant the student needed to see their faculty member. A blue light indicated the student needed something from the runner,” said Becky Case, dental assistant specialist.
The idea for the call system came from brainstorming sessions that included the dental assistants, plus Julie Heyl and Rhonda Simpson. The team decided on the most effective, economical option that was also the most convenient for students – students could easily roll their chairs to the lights and quickly tap them.
“It wasn’t unheard of to have five to eight blue lights on at one time, so we started using dry erase boards when making our rounds, kind of like waitresses," Becky said. "We’d go to a cubicle and write down what was needed, and then on to the next cubical. Due to this process, we were able to quickly and efficiently get the students what they needed."
“On the runner side, it was a long haul. It wasn’t unheard of for us to get 25,000 steps in,” Becky said.
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Another innovative change was the use of multi-pocket aprons.
“The aprons provided us with the capability to keep the little things that students needed regularly close at hand so we didn't need to run to our carts," Becky said.
Students and faculty were grateful for the dental assistants' extraordinary efforts. To show their appreciation, the dental classes of 2021 and 2022 gave the dental assistants gifts and said,
"We acknowledge the effort you put in each day, managing multiple cubicles and helping to tie up loose ends while running for the various items and faculty we need throughout each appointment. We are genuinely grateful for all that you do and for the positive attitudes you continue to bring to work each day. It makes every day more enjoyable for all of us! We know the people make the difference, and you’re some of the people who help set our school apart!"
While the dental assistants have shown amazing resilience, flexibility and creativity in their new roles, they are excited to transition back to their normal responsibilities.
“Normally, we are chairside with the students and we help with the more involved procedures like crowns and bridges. We provide dental expertise, an extra set of skilled hands, and help teach students how it’s going to be in the real word because they will be employing dental assistants," Becky said.
The college is extremely grateful to have an incredible, dedicated team of dental assistants who play an important role in our students' educational experiences.
“Our team wouldn't have made it through this period without each other. We got through countless hours and miles by working together and encouraging each other,” Becky said.
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Sterilization staff goes above and beyond
When the college transitioned to remote learning in early 2020, the sterilization staff was vital to ensuring students had a successful remote learning experience.
“There were many things that needed ordered for the D1, D2 and D3 students, including heads, special table top mounts, specialized electric motors, handpieces, cassettes, etc. All the individual pieces had to be recorded and checked out by hand,” said Rhonda Simpson, sterile services supervisor.
"Course directors requested items and the sterilization staff figured out how to package them for home use and scheduled curbside pickup and drop off of assigned projects," Rhonda said. "This involved lots of communication with all course directors for items needed, amounts to include and a time frame for completion."
The sterilization staff also showed their dedication and creativity by successfully completing the D4 check in for the class of 2020 (accounting for all the D4's equipment and instruments) while adhering to social distancing guidelines. They also assisted with ensuring proper social distancing in the clinical and virtual simulation lab.
Throughout the pandemic, some changes that were made in the sterilization area included the addition of Plexiglas barriers, yellows gowns for receiving room wear, and more thorough disinfection of patient safety glasses. They continue to follow the highest standards of infection control while processing and handling all items.
The college is incredibly lucky to have an amazing, dedicated team of sterilization professionals. Thank you for all you to do keep our students, faculty, staff and patients safe!
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In this video, students and faculty thank the dental assistants and sterilization staff for their hard work and dedication.
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New Faculty & Staff Spotlights
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Rob Cline, DDS
Clinical Instructor
Department of Surgical Specialties
Background: I received by bachelor's degree in history from the University of Dallas. I was a chemist and plant manager for the Valspar Corporation before receiving my DDS from the Baylor College of Dentistry and my periodontal/implant certificate from the UNMC College of Dentistry.
Hometown: Fort Smith, Arkansas - Go Razorbacks!
My family: My wife, Kelly, and I have three sons - Dalton, Jarrett and Carter. Kelly graduated from the University of Dallas with a bachelor's degree in education and is now my practice manager. Dalton graduated from Notre Dame and is in his second year at the UNMC College of Dentistry. Jarrett is a junior at Notre Dame and Carter is a senior at Mount Michael.
Favorite things to do on a day off: Golf or chill by the pool.
Things most people don't know about me: I hate beets, I love crawfish, and I'm a pretty decent rugby player in Texas.
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Lydia Payer
Clinic Clerk
UDA
Background: I am a certified dental coder and biller through the ADA and the AAPC. I previously worked for Ameritas Insurance, MacPractice and Holy Family Medical.
Hometown: Lincoln.
My family: I have been married to my husband, Marshall, for almost six years. He is a high school math teacher. We have two dogs and a cat. My parents and two younger brothers all reside here in Lincoln, and my older sister lives with her family in the D.C. area.
Favorite thing to do on a day off: I enjoy spending time with friends and family or relaxing on my back deck with my pets.
Things most people don't know about me: My husband and I are high school sweethearts and have been together almost 11 years in total. I prefer cold weather, so fall and winter are my favorite seasons. My husband and I are working on visiting every national park in the U.S.
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Brittany Soriano
Pediatric Dentistry Residency Coordinator
Located at Children's Hospital & Medical Center
Background: I received my bachelor's degree in healthcare management from Bellevue University. Previously, I worked at Ehrling Bergquist Clinic on Offutt Air Force Base for 10 years. I served in the United States Air Force for eight years and was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California and Offutt Air Force Base.
Hometown: Kalamazoo, Michigan.
My family: I am married with two boys: Ethan, age 10, and Owen, age 8.
Favorite thing to do on a day off: Spend time with my family.
Things most people don't know about me: I like to craft in my free time, I love all things bumble bees, and I separated from the Air Force in 2014 to make Nebraska home.
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Michael P. Sullivan, DDS
Clinical Instructor
Department of Surgical Specialties
Background: I received my bachelor's degree in health sciences from the University of Wyoming and my DDS from the UNMC College of Dentistry. I am currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army. I have 22 years of service thus far - 7 years active duty and 15 years Army National Guard. I've had four combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2006). I am a full-time private practice general dentist. I own and operate a practice in Lincoln and a satellite practice in York.
Hometown: I was born in Riverside, California, but mostly grew up in Laramie, Wyoming.
My family: I've been married to my wife, Mandy, for 13 years. We met and got married while in dental school. We have two children: Aidan, age 10, and Agatha, age 8. They are starting fifth and third grade this year.
Favorite thing to do on a day off: Ride my bicycle, either by myself or with my family.
Things most people don't know about me: I am a classically trained baritone, a self-taught bicycle mechanic and a fanatical downhill skier.
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Be sure to congratulate the following individuals for their milestone 2021 UNMC service anniversaries - July, August and September!
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July
54 Years
Gerald Tussing, Professor
45 Years
Gwen Hlava, Chairperson
34 Years
Mitch Emmons, Dental Supply Control Supervisor
33 Years
J Bruce Bavitz, Chairperson
31 Years
Yoshiharu Ameku, Clinical Assistant Professor
30 Years
Mark Beatty, Professor
Dona McCanlies, Professor
Jeffrey Payne, Professor
Kimberley Stafford, Clinical Assistant Professor
15 Years
Kathy Gregg, Dental Assistant Specialist
Amy Killeen, Associate Professor
1 Year
Courtney Wheeler, Dental Assistant
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August
37 Years
Charles Genrich, Clinical Instructor
36 Years
Darlene Carritt, Instructor
34 Years
Robert Glenn, Clinical Assistant Professor
32 Years
Timothy Calkins, Clinical Instructor
31 Years
Hany Makkawy, Assistant Professor
15 Years
Rhonda Massey, Dental Assistant
Myhanh Phan-Rinne, Assistant Professor Genevieve Poskochil, Sterilization Technician
10 Years
Jennifer Kallio, Assistant Professor
5 Years
Marianne Day, Assistant Professor
Robin Hattervig, Assistant Professor
Joshua Russo, Office/Residency Program Associate
Jaimee Shropshire, Clinical Instructor
Julie Wagner, Group Practice Coordinator
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September
31 Years
Scott Morrison, Clinical Instructor
10 Years
Jessica Meeske, Clinical Instructor
5 Years
Teresa Breazile, Student Services/Assessment Vickie Gabriel-Barry, Group Practice Coordinator
1 Year
Sarah Lowman, Assistant Professor
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