College Connections
An electronic newsletter from the College of Pharmacy
July 10, 2026
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As summer moves quickly by, we find ourselves at a moment of transition and reflection within the UNMC College of Pharmacy. We recently bid farewell to the Class of 2026, celebrating their many accomplishments and wishing them continued success as they begin the next chapter of their professional journeys. At the same time, we eagerly look ahead to August when we will welcome the Class of 2030 to our community, an exciting reminder of the ongoing vitality and future of our profession.
This season also brings notable transitions within our faculty and leadership. We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Jonathan Vennerstrom on the occasion of his retirement, recognizing his remarkable contributions to research, education, and the College over many years. We also thank Drs. Sean Avedissian and Chelsea Huppert for their dedication to our students and programs, and we wish them the very best as they pursue new opportunities. In the months ahead, we look forward to welcoming new faculty members who will continue to advance our mission and strengthen our academic community.
I would also like to offer special appreciation to Dr. Linda Sobeski for her outstanding service as the inaugural Associate Dean for the Kearney campus. Her leadership has been instrumental in establishing and growing our presence in Kearney. We respect and support her decision to step back from this role due to family commitments, and we are grateful that she will remain a valued member of our College.
We are proud to share that our extended pathway (6-year) Pharm.D. program has received approval from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). This milestone makes UNMC the first public college of pharmacy in the nation to offer such an accessible pathway to the Pharm.D. degree, designed specifically for individuals whose life circumstances make a traditional four-year program impractical. This initiative underscores our commitment to expanding access and meeting learners where they are.
Our faculty continue to excel, and I am pleased to recognize several recent promotions. Congratulations to Dr. Kristen Cook on her promotion to Clinical Professor, and to Drs. Drew Prescott, Logan Franck, and Greg Zumach on their promotions to Clinical Associate Professor. Their dedication to teaching, clinical practice, and service exemplifies the excellence of our faculty.
Finally, I want to highlight our recent AMPLIFY event, hosted in partnership with Nebraska Extension. This innovative initiative reflects our commitment to expanding community engagement and strengthening connections across the state. Efforts like AMPLIFY help us extend our reach and impact in meaningful ways.
Thank you for your continued support of the UNMC College of Pharmacy. Together, we are advancing our mission, embracing new opportunities, and preparing the next generation of pharmacy leaders.
Warm regards,
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Donald G. Klepser, PhD, MBA
Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean
UNMC College of Pharmacy
| | Celebrating the Class of 2026 | | College celebrates the Class of 2026 | | |
The 2026 Scholastic Honors Convocation was celebrated on Thursday, May 7, at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Thirty-two graduates were recognized as they received their doctoral hoods and recited the Oath of the Pharmacist.
During the ceremony, several student-selected awards were presented, honoring outstanding rotation sites, preceptors, and faculty preceptors. Alumni President Jolyn Merry also recognized excellence among former graduates by presenting the 2026 Alumni Early Career Achievement Award and the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
UNMC’s Spring Commencement followed on Saturday, May 9, at Baxter Arena.
| | 2026 Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Recipients | | |
Amal Abou-Ayash, Palestine- Nazareth
Sanan Aldakhi, Shingal-Iraq
Mehrnaz Alishiri, Tehran, Iran
Distinction
Lauren Brost, Rapid City, SD
Shelby Butts, Alma
Chase Clausen, Blair
Highest Distinction
Tanner Cromer, Falls City
Distinction
Paige DeWeese, Cunningham, KS
Banas Dna, Kurdistan, Iraq
Evan Glissmeyer, Kaysville, UT
Poonam Gupta, Birgunj, Nepal
Distinction
Peter Hinchey, Omaha
Breane Hoffman, Pierce
Samantha Hughes, Monterey, CA
Gouri Jas, Lawrence, KS
Emily Jinings, Papillion
Zachary Kalkwarf, Omaha
Daniel Kresock, Bloomsburg, PA
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Vanessa Lo, Lexington
Distinction
Nathan Mai, Lincoln
Benjamin Mestl, Henderson
High Distinction
Annika Muse, Omaha
Highest Distinction
Ashley Newman, Columbus
Distinction
Meredith Ollerich, Sioux Falls, SD
Abby Quadhamer, Hildreth
Distinction
Katelyn Richardson, Chester
Distinction
Jace Russman, Cozad
Samuel Schendt, Broken Bow
Nicholas Soltys, Omaha
Distinction
Jackson Stensgard, Maricopa, AZ
Rachel Viter, San Diego, CA
Channing Walden, Sioux City, IA
High Distinction
| | Spring Honors Convocation Awards | |
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Preceptor of the Year
Dr. Mathew Anderson of Nebraska Medicine Bellevue Outpatient Pharmacy is this year’s Preceptor of the Year.
Nominators praised his ability to go beyond clinical teaching, helping students not only strengthen their pharmacy knowledge, but also develop compassion and a patient-centered mindset.
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Faculty Preceptor of the Year
Dr. Jessica Downes is this year’s Faculty Preceptor of the Year.
Students value her trust in allowing them to engage directly with complex patient cases, as well as her leadership in developing the college’s Medical Spanish track to better serve diverse communities.
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Rotation Site of the Year
We are pleased to recognize OneWorld Community Health Centers as this year’s Site of the Year.
Students are fully integrated into patient care, working through complex cases and addressing real-world socioeconomic challenges. Guided by outstanding preceptors, this site fosters both critical thinking and compassionate, patient-centered care.
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Dr. Steve Hermansky, Distinguished Alumnus Award
Dr. Steve Hermansky (1986), is honored for his distinguished career advancing public health. He currently serves with the FDA, focusing on modernizing toxicology methods and reducing reliance on animal testing. With prior leadership in the pharmaceutical and food industries, he has built a legacy of excellence in safety science, research, and public health.
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Dr. Sarah Hulvershorn,
Early Career Achievement Award
Dr. Sarah Hulvershorn (2011), is recognized for her achievements in managed care pharmacy. As a Clinical Director at CVS Caremark, she leads teams supporting Medicaid and Medicare populations. A board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist and dedicated mentor, she has earned multiple Preceptor of the Year honors and remains active in advancing the profession through AMCP leadership.
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Academy of Student
Pharmacists Award
Samuel Schendt
ASHP-SSHP Outgoing
Officer Award
Vanessa Lo
Barbara Osborne Manchester Award
Emily Jinings
Bradley G. Wulf Memorial Award
Daniel Kresock
Clinical Services Award
Jackson Stensgard
Edward B. (Ted) Roche, PhD “Soul of the College of
Pharmacy” Scholar Award
Vanessa Lo
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Excellence in Advanced Practice Experience Recognition
Abby Quadhamer
Joseph B. Burt Memorial Award
Chase Clausen
Patient Care Champion Award
Katelyn Richardson
Phi Lambda Sigma Award
Shelby Butts
Phyllis Rhodes Trust Award
Annika Muse
Rho Chi Achievement Award
Benjamin Mestl
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Stephen A. Scholtz
Memorial Award
Samuel Schendt
Thomas W. Cunningham
Memorial Award
Ashley Newman
US Public Health Service
Excellence in Public Health
Pharmacy Practice Award
Vanessa Lo
Varro & Virginia Tyler Award
Tanner Cromer
Viatris Excellence in
Pharmacy Award
Chase Clausen
| | College Co-Hosts AMPLIFY Event | | Dr. Charles Stoltenow, Dean and Director of Nebraska Extension presenting at AMPLIFY. | The UNMC College of Pharmacy and Nebraska Extension recently partnered to host the inaugural AMPLIFY Engagement Conference, a two-day event focused on strengthening collaborations to improve health across Nebraska. Faculty, researchers, educators, and Extension professionals came together to | | |
explore innovative approaches to expanding rural pharmacy services, improving medication access, and addressing healthcare needs through community partnerships.
The conference included presentations, panel discussions, interactive planning sessions, and networking. The participants identified new opportunities for collaboration in telepharmacy, pharmacy technician training, medication education/ access, and community-based research. There were over 50 attendees between the two units.
The conference reflects the University of Nebraska's Odyssey to Extraordinary vision by growing partnerships that will enhance healthcare access and well-being of communities throughout the state. Dr. Don Klepser, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, and Dr. Charles Stoltenow, Dean and Director of Nebraska Extension both expressed the need for these partnerships to grow the University of Nebraska’s impact.
Funding for projects that have both a UNMC College of Pharmacy member and a Nebraska extension member were made available to help the ideas and innovation the conference produced become a reality.
| | MSAP 2026 Brings Pharmacy Leaders Together in Omaha | | |
The 2026 Midwest Social and Administrative Pharmacy (MSAP) Conference welcomed faculty, researchers, graduate students, and pharmacy administration professionals to Omaha, Nebraska, June 8–10, 2026, for three days of collaboration, scholarship, and networking focused on advancing the future of pharmacy administration.
UNMC College of Pharmacy and Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions organized the event, marking the first time Nebraska has hosted the conference in its more than 40-year history.
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Attendees participated in multiple abstract presentation sessions showcasing scholarly work from students across the Midwest, as well as a State of MSAP session which highlighted developments and priorities within the discipline.
The conference also featured a keynote address by John Bentley, PhD, professor of pharmacy administration and director of the Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing & Management at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy.
| | College Elects Faculty Senate Representatives | | |
Congratulations to Dr. Ally Dering-Anderson on her re-election to the UNMC Faculty Senate. Congratulations as well to Dr. Logan Franck, who was selected as an alternate representative. The pair will be joining Dr. Gary Cochran who also serves on the senate. We appreciate their willingness to serve and advocate on behalf of faculty, and we thank them for their commitment to supporting the mission and success of the college and UNMC community.
| | Class of 2027 Pinning Ceremony | | |
The Class of 2027 officially kicked off their P4 rotation year during the annual Pinning Ceremony held on April 22, 2026.
The cohort of 50 students gathered for breakfast, provided by the Alumni Association, and heard APPE rotation reflections from P4 student Annika Muse. Students also recited the Oath of a Pharmacist, led by Dr. Carrie McAdam-Marx, reaffirming their commitment to the profession as they prepare to enter their advanced pharmacy practice experiences before placing a College of Pharmacy pin on their white coats.
The ceremony marks the culmination of the P3 Professional Development course and provides the student with an opportunity to connect as a class before dispersing to their APPE rotation sites.
| | UNMC College of Pharmacy Campus Culture Committee members Jingjing Sun, Kristen Cook (committee director), and Kellie Osler presented Makayla Gill with the inaugural Spirit of Service Award. | |
Makayla Gill Receives Inaugural Award
Makayla Gill is the inaugural recipient of the Spirit of Service Award from the UNMC College of Pharmacy Campus Culture Committee.
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to service in the community through UNMC and the College of Pharmacy and positively impacted the campus environment and institutional mission through their work over the past year.
Makayla was recognized for her outstanding commitment to College of Pharmacy organizations as well as her service beyond the college. Her contributions include serving as Chief Operating Officer of MUNA Box and volunteering with the Special Olympics, reflecting her passion for leadership, service, and community engagement. Congratulations Makayla!
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Martinez Elected to Student Senate
Alex Martinez, P2, was elected to the UNMC Student Senate for the 2026-2027 academic year. Alex will serve as Vice President and Director of Academic Affairs for the UNMC Campus.
The UNMC Student Senate influences University policy and promoting the interests of all students attending UNMC. Congratulations Alex!
| | | APhA- ASP Chapter Receives Recognition at National Meeting | | P2 students Callie Stewart, Dane Messersmith, & P4 Shelby Butts representing UNMC at the APhA 2026 Annual Meeting. | | |
The College of Pharmacy APhA–ASP chapter received recognition this spring at the APhA 2026 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.
Chapter president, Callie Stewart, and ASP member Shelby Butts represented UNMC by presenting and fielding questions at the meeting.
| | The chapter was recognized with a Second Runner-Up Award for their Operation Immunization’s community outreach and vaccination administration efforts. The group annually participates in both college and community-wide immunization campaigns, spreading vaccination awareness and access. | | Jonathan Vennerstrom, PhD Retires | | |
The College of Pharmacy recently celebrated the distinguished career of Dr. Jonathan Vennerstrom, who officially retired on July 1 after 39 years of dedicated service.
Faculty, staff, students, colleagues, friends, and family gathered on June 10 to honor Dr. Vennerstrom at a retirement celebration recognizing his contributions to research, education, and the UNMC community. During the event, Dean Donald Klepser addressed attendees with high praise for Dr. Vennerstrom’s scientific accomplishments, excellence in teaching, and, above all, his character and commitment to others.
Additional speakers shared personal reflections and professional experiences from their years working alongside Dr. Vennerstrom, highlighting the impact he has made as a researcher, mentor, colleague, and friend. Dr. Vennerstrom then addressed the audience, expressing his gratitude for the relationships he built
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throughout his career and the joy his time at UNMC has brought him.
Throughout his career, Dr. Vennerstrom has been recognized as one of the most influential researchers in UNMC’s history, most recently being honored with the UNMC Research Career Achievement Award in November 2025. His pioneering work in medicinal chemistry and antiparasitic drug discovery, particularly antimalarial drug design and synthesis, has earned international recognition within the research community. His contributions to the development of new malaria treatments will have a lasting impact on global health, benefiting millions of people worldwide.
Although retiring from his full-time faculty role, Dr. Vennerstrom's connection to the college will continue as he transitions to Professor Emeritus. Thank you Dr. Vennerstrom!
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Joe Vetro, PhD Receives Two Honors
Dr. Joe Vetro was recognized by both the UNMC Faculty Senate and Student Senate this spring.
The Outstanding Teacher Award presented by the Faculty Senate recognizes faculty who exemplify excellence as a director of learning, advisor of students, facilitator of human relations and/or promoter of the improvement of educational quality at UNMC.
As the recipient of the UNMC Student Senate Distinguished Teacher Award, Dr. Vetro was recognized for going above and beyond to provide excellent education to students. Congratulations Dr. Vetro!
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Two Faculty Graduate iLead Program
Drs. Jessica Downes and Greg Zumach have become the latest College of Pharmacy faculty members to complete the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s iLead (Interprofessional Leadership for Excellence and Academic Development) program.
Downes and Zumach were among 42 graduates in the iLead Class of 2026, a year-long faculty development certificate program designed to cultivate leadership skills across the institution.
The program equips participants with tools to become agile, creative and confident leaders.
Throughout the year, participants assess their personal strengths, talents and behaviors while taking part in didactic sessions, simulations and small-group exercises. They then apply their newly developed leadership skills through projects focused on advancing UNMC initiatives and priorities.
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Faculty Promotions
The College proudly announces the promotion of four faculty members in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, reflecting their commitment to advancing teaching, scholarship, service, and patient care.
Dr. Kristen Cook- Clinical Professor
Dr. Logan Franck- Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Drew Prescott- Clinical Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Dr. Greg Zumach- Clinical Associate Professor
| | College of Pharmacy Spotlight | | Highlighting College Alumni, Students, and/or Faculty Members | | | Today, we meet two of our most recent graduates. | | Vanessa Lo, PharmD, Class of 2026 | |
Where were you born and where did you go to high school?
I was born in Aurora, Colorado. I went to high school at Lexington High School, in Lexington, Nebraska.
Where did you complete your undergraduate requirements for pharmacy school?
I attended the University of Nebraska in Kearney.
What is your favorite part of pharmacy school?
My favorite part of pharmacy school was discovering my own potential. As a first-generation student, I entered pharmacy school with determination but also a lot of self-doubt. Over the past four years, the relationships I built with classmates, faculty, mentors, and patients challenged me to grow in ways I never expected. They helped me find confidence, embrace opportunities I once thought were beyond my abilities, and believe that I truly belonged in this profession.
Looking back, it wasn't a single class or rotation that defined my experience, it was the people who invested in me and the
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connections that reminded me why I chose pharmacy in the first place. Those experiences shaped not only the pharmacist I hope to become, but also the person I am today
What are your plans now that you have officially graduated from the College of Pharmacy?
I accepted a clinical pharmacist position at Lexington Regional Health Center. LRHC is a critical access hospital that will allow me to work at the top of my practice and make meaningful connections and impact.
If you could send a brief message to all of the people who donate to the UNMC College of Pharmacy, what would you say?
To all of the generous donors of the College of Pharmacy, thank you. Your impact extends far beyond a financial contribution, it changes lives.
As a first-generation student with immigrant parents, pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree was once a dream that felt out of reach. Your generosity eased financial burdens, but more importantly, it gave me the opportunity to pursue a future that my family sacrificed so much to make possible.
Because of your support, I was able to focus on becoming the best student and future pharmacist I could be, while carrying forward the values my parents instilled in me: hard work, perseverance, and compassion. Your investment is not just in students like me, it is in the patients and communities we will serve throughout our careers.
I hope you know that your kindness creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the walls of the College of Pharmacy. One day, I hope to pay your generosity forward by caring for others with the same compassion and selflessness that you have shown me.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in students like me and for making dreams like mine possible.
| | Shelby Butts, PharmD, Class of 2026 | |
Where were you born and where did you go to high school?
I was born and raised in Nebraska, and went to high school in Alma, Nebraska.
Where did you complete your undergraduate requirements for pharmacy school?
I went to Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska and completed my pharmacy school pre-requisites, along with getting a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Sciences.
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What was your favorite part of pharmacy school?
My favorite part of pharmacy school was meeting all of my friends and being a part of the fun culture and atmosphere at UNMC. It was very family oriented and made everyone feel included, and looked after!
What are your plans now that you have officially graduated from the College of Pharmacy?
I think I want to work as a hospital pharmacist, in either Oncology or Critical Care, but hopefully will know more after my PGY1 at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, NE!
If you could send a brief message to all of the people who donate to the UNMC College of Pharmacy, what would you say?
Thank you for all the donations and contributions for us students. Your generosity has helped me with experiential practice, scholarship funding, and allowing several of us to travel to conference where we can learn about the happenings of pharmacy practice before we get to be a New Grad Pharmacist!
| | Recent Faculty Publications | | |
Letter: Low Uptake of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Despite Pharmacist-Managed Services in a Midwestern Federally Qualified Health Center
Witt J., Havens J.P., Bares S.H., Carter M., Downes J., Dworak A., Sunagawa S.W.
[Article in Press] AIDS Patient Care STDS 2026 : (10872914261432725)
MEDLINE
Dual Inhibition of KRAS G12D and PI3K/BRD4 signaling overcomes therapeutic resistance in pancreatic cancer
Ghanwatkar Y., Mahto S., Chittipolu A., Ramanathan R., Shrestha P., Mahato R.I.
Acta Biomater. 2026 212: (637-654)
Embase, MEDLINE
Amyloid β—Cholesterol Interplay: Removal of Cholesterol From the Membranes to Catalyze Aggregation and Amyloid Pathology
Baral R., van Deventer R., Lyubchenko Y.L.
J. Neurochem. 2026 170:2
Embase, MEDLINE
Peptide-Based Dual-Readout Biosensor for the Detection of the Anti-Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Nonstructural Protein Antibodies
Hussein H.A., Pereira A.J., Jensen-Smith H., Lai R.Y., Conda-Sheridan M.
ACS Sens 2026 11:3 (1977-1989)
MEDLINE
Development and evaluation of mitochondria-targeted caseinolytic protease (ClpP) agonist chemical probes in in vitro breast cancer models
Hao X., Purohit G., Jayasinghe Y.P., Ronning D.R., Khalimonchuk O., Trippier P.C.
Med. Chem. Res. 2026 35:4 (814-833)
Embase
CLL1 polymeric nanoparticles loaded with PI3K/BRD4 dual inhibitor MDP5 and azacitidine as a novel treatment for TP53 mutated acute myeloid leukemia
Pan Q., Yang F., Chittipolu A., Ramanathan R., Dong Y., Hyde R.K., Bhatt V.R., Mahato R.I.
Int. J. Pharm. 2026 697:
Embase, MEDLINE
PAMD-Ch17, a Polymeric Analog of Plerixafor, Induces Mitochondrial Dysfunction in T-ALL Cells Independent of CXCR4
Lam C., Dhir A., Mitro A., Jogdeo C.M., Panda S., Kapoor E., Tang S., Rivero V.J., McIntyre E.M., Coulter D.W., Xiao P., Black A.R., Hewitt K., Romanova S., Swenson S.A., Oupicky D., Hyde R.K.
[Article in Press] Mol Cancer Ther 2026 :
MEDLINE
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