College Connections
An electronic newsletter from the College of Pharmacy
March 27, 2026
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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As we move through another dynamic season in the College of Pharmacy, I’m pleased to share several highlights that reflect the excellence, dedication, and momentum of our community.
First, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Chris Shaffer as Senior Associate Dean for the UNMC College of Pharmacy. Dr. Shaffer brings an extraordinary depth of experience, trusted leadership, and a collaborative spirit to this role. His longstanding commitment to our College and his thoughtful approach to advancing our academic, research, and clinical missions make him exceptionally well suited to help guide us into our next chapter.
I am also proud to celebrate the Class of 2026 and their success in the ASHP Residency Match. Our students demonstrated exceptional preparation and professionalism, securing strong residency placements across a variety of practice settings. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, resilience, and the outstanding mentorship provided by our faculty, preceptors, and alumni.
Please join me as well in congratulating Dr. Nate Sutera, recipient of the Excellence in Educational Service Award at the UNMC Impact in Education Awards. This honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to educational service and his commitment to student learning and success. We are fortunate to have educators like Dr. Sutera who elevate our programs and inspire our learners.
Thank you for all that you do to support the UNMC College of Pharmacy. Your engagement and commitment continue to make our College a remarkable place to learn, teach, and lead.
Warm regards,
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Donald G. Klepser, PhD, MBA
Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean
UNMC College of Pharmacy
| | Chris Shaffer, PharmD, PhD Named Senior Associate Dean | | |
Dr. Shaffer has been named the UNMC College of Pharmacy's Senior Associate Dean.
Dean Klepser noted, "With so much growth, including the Kearney campus, forthcoming extended pathway, internal and external partnership opportunities, and multiple upcoming accreditation visits, the college needs a conductor to make sure the trains are all running on time”. This role, in effect, will serve as the college's chief operating officer.
Dr. Shaffer has held several leadership roles within UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, including most recently as interim associate dean of
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academic affairs. Prior to joining UNMC, he was pharmacy director at both Nebraska Medicine and Children’s Nebraska. He’s currently a fellow in the University of Nebraska’s NU Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders (NUDEAL) program.
“I am excited to assume this new role within the UNMC College of Pharmacy,” Dr. Shaffer said. “There are incredible opportunities for our faculty, staff and students in the future of health care. I look forward to working with individuals within and outside the college to develop these programs.”
| | The Ellie is a College of Pharmacy award presented to students, faculty, and staff who exhibits the traits of UNMC’s mascot, Ellie the Lab: loyalty, curiosity and compassion. | | |
Kelsey Archer, Student Services Associate, has become the second staff member to receive an Ellie Award, earning the November title.
Kelsey was nominated for her warm demeanor and her consistent dedication to supporting students. Her nominator summed it up perfectly: “Kelsey makes life in the COP fun!”
Congratulations, Kelsey!
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Megan Lukert became the first P1 and first Kearney student to earn the Ellie honor with her January win.
Megan was nominated for her role in organizing APhA - ASP Operation Heart, Heart Month activities for the Kearny campus. The patient care events she organized included coordinating with pharmacies, preceptors, and volunteers. Congratulations Megan!
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Registration is now open!
Join us as UNMC and Creighton co-host the Midwest Social & Administrative Pharmacy Conference, taking place June 8–10, 2026.
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Join us at AMCP 2026 in Nashville
If you are planning to attend the AMCP 2026 meeting, please plan to join us!
UNMC College of Pharmacy Reception
Monday, April 13
5:00-8:00 pm
Pinewood Social- Living Room Lounge
33 Peabody St, Nashville, TN
RSVP
| | | | From left; Kellie Osler (OEP office), Amaka Modebelu, Tanvi Patil, Sumaiya Nahid, Emily Brandt, and Lenal Bottoms (Office of Global Engagement). | | Graduate Students Learn to Pitch | | |
Pharmaceutical Science graduate students competed this fall in an Elevator Pitch Contest sponsored by UNMC Graduate Studies, the Graduate Student Association, and the UNMC American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) student chapter.
This fast‑paced competition highlighted how graduate students learn to pitch their research clearly and confidently. Participants were challenged to explain their work in ninety seconds or less, translating complex scientific concepts into clear, engaging explanations that anyone could understand.
Judges from the Office of Global Engagement and the College of Pharmacy’s OEP office evaluated the presentations. The event’s success inspired AAPS to organize a follow‑up Lunch and Learn on Thursday, March 26, featuring guest speaker Diana Mwikisa, Adjunct Professor in the School of Communication at UNO. Her session focused on how to structure and deliver a compelling elevator pitch for professional settings.
| | Sumaiya Nahid delivers her elevator pitch. | | |
Contest Winners
1st place
Amaka Modebelu, 3rd year PhD candidate
Advisor: Dr. Avedissian
2nd place
Tanvi Patil, 4th year PhD candidate
Advisor: Dr. Mahato
3rd place
Sumaiya Nahid, 5th year PhD candidate
Advisor: Dr. Hopkins
| | KE Chapter Observes Week of Service and Mental Health Week | | P3 Maddie Moore shows off her tie blanket for Together Furever during KE Week of Service. | |
During the last week of February, the chapter observed its Week of Service, bringing together students, faculty, and staff to support several community organizations. Participants assembled activity bags for Boys Town Hospital, created tie blankets for Together Furever, and wrapped up the week by serving a meal at the Siena Francis House.
The momentum continued into the first week of March as the organization shifted its focus to mental health awareness. KE hosted a pop‑up
| | wellness room to give students a relaxing space between classes. In addition, they co‑hosted a paint and mock‑sip lunch event with APhA‑ASP’s Operation SUD, welcoming students, faculty, and staff. Throughout the week, members sold mental‑health and pharmacy‑themed stickers and badge reels, with all proceeds benefiting the UNMC and AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk, which is scheduled for April 18. | From left, P1s Ashley Marsh, Shanelle Dillon, Anjalee Jayasekara, & Emily Burns display their paint and sip masterpieces. | | APhA- ASP Operation Heart Step Challenge | | Step Champions from left Owen Lightle, Kathleen Nguyen, & David Bruce | | |
The College of Pharmacy APhA–ASP chapter’s Operation Heart Committee hosted a college-wide step challenge throughout the month of February.
Students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to track their steps using a team app, adding a little friendly competition to support heart health awareness. By the end of the month, the college collectively logged an impressive 14,323,200 steps!
Top Steppers
Kathleen Nguyen (P2) – 610,100 steps
David Bruce (P3) – 463,400 steps
Owen Lightle (P2) – 428,300 steps
Top Class
Class of 2028 – 5,783,000 steps
| | Formal royal court from left; David Bruce, Carissa Caraway-Richey, AJ Leibel, Gabs Pohlad, Elizabeth Eidem, & Alex Martinez. | | P3s Host Spring Pharmacy Formal | | |
On March 7th, UNMC’s College of Pharmacy stepped into spring a little early as the P3 class hosted this year’s Pharmacy Formal The annual tradition, supported in part by Walgreens, featured a garden party theme and offered students a much‑needed chance to unwind before midterms
One of the highlights of the evening was the announcement of Class Royalty, a tradition introduced at last year’s soirée.
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2026 Class Royalty
P3 King & Queen:
David Bruce and Carissa Caraway‑Richey
P2 Prince & Princess:
Alex Martinez and Elizabeth Eidem
P1 Duke & Duchess:
AJ Leibel and Gabs Pohlad
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P2 Student Earns National Scholarship
P2 class president Sam Buss has been selected as one of just 28 students nationwide to receive an APhA Foundation Scholarship. Sam was awarded the prestigious Tom Temple–USP Pharmacy Leadership Scholarship.
These scholarships honor students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and meaningful involvement in both school and community initiatives, including efforts to advance their APhA–ASP chapters. Congratulations Sam!
Learn more
| | | | | We are pleased to announce that Josh Havens, PharmD, has officially begun a full-time faculty appointment in the department of pharmacy practice and science. Dr. Havens has already contributed meaningfully through his prior involvement, and we look forward to the continued impact he will make in this expanded role. | | Dr. Havens graduated from the UNMC College of Pharmacy in 2007. He joined the HIV team/Infectious Diseases Division at Nebraska Medicine in 2015 and the UNMC College of Pharmacy department of pharmacy practice in 2019. He will continue to serve as a pharmacy clinician at the HIV Specialty Care Center. | | | |
Dr. Sutera Honored
Nathan Sutera, PharmD was awarded the Excellence in Educational Service Award at the Impact in Education Awards on March 6.
The award honors a volunteer, emeritus or adjunct faculty member who exemplifies outstanding teaching and has made lasting contributions to health professions education.
Dr. Sutera joined the College in 2020 and serves as a clinical assistant professor and pharmacy coordinator in psychiatry.
| | College of Pharmacy Spotlight | | Highlighting college alumni, students, and/or faculty members! | | | Today, we meet two College of Pharmacy 1980's graduates! | | Jeff Hines, PharmD, Class of 1982 | |
Where were you born and where did you go to high school?
I was born in Lincoln NE and attended high school at Lincoln East.
Where did you complete your undergraduate requirements for pharmacy school?
I attended UNL for 3 years, and matriculated into the College of Pharmacy in the fall of 1979, following my older brother Ed Hines' graduation that same spring.
What was your favorite part of pharmacy school?
My favorite memory of Pharmacy School was having my younger brother Joel in the same class. Joel and I had access to the College Darkroom, which was located on the first floor. Assistant Dean Kirk Benedict knew we were both photographers, and gave us the key for our personal use. It was like our own office/study space.
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Describe your career path since you graduated.
I graduated in 1982, and accepted Staff Pharmacist positions with CHI and Bryan Health in Lincoln. I later joined Walgreens in 1985, working as a Pharmacist and Manager, and 25 years as a District Supervisor. After leaving Walgreens in 2015, I started a Patient Advocacy company that emphasized Wellness and Deprescribing, which was personally impactful and extremely rewarding.
Please list any honors or recognitions you have received during your career.
My career path allowed me to serve 12 years on the UNMC Alumni Council; 12 years on the Nebraska Pharmacists Association Board as Treasurer; 8 years as the Past-Chair/Board Member of the Nebraska Retail Federation; Founding member and Board Chairman of a Senior Non-Profit Organization, Live-Well Go-Fish.
I was recognized as the "2008 Master Merchant in Healthcare" from the Nebraska Retail Federation, for my years of service representing Retail Pharmacy in the Nebraska Legislature.
If you could give one message to future pharmacists, what would it be?
My message to future Pharmacists is to take advantage of all that UNMC has to offer. UNMC College of Pharmacy exposed me to leadership, skill-building, networking, and growing my ability to serve others for better outcomes.
| | Ken Kester, PharmD, JD Class of 1985 | |
Where were you born and where did you go to high school?
I was born in Cambridge, NE, graduated from Cambridge High School
Where did you complete your undergraduate requirements for pharmacy school?
Doane College
What was your favorite part of pharmacy school?
I got married and we had our first child, so those count as my favorites!
School-wise, figuring out what I enjoyed the most and wanted to do as a career (hospital pharmacy).
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Describe your career path since you graduated.
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago: General residency 1985-1986
- Bryan Memorial Hospital: Drug Information/Quality Improvement Coordinator 1986-1997
- Bryan Memorial Hospital: staff pharmacist 1997-1999
- Knudsen, Berkheimer, Richardson and Endacott: associate attorney 2000-2002
- Wagey Drug: staff pharmacist and Privacy Officer 2002-2003
- Nebraska Heart Hospital: Pharmacy Team Leader and Compliance Officer 2003-2014
- Catholic Health Initiatives (now CommonSpirit Health): System Director of Telepharmacy 2014 to present
Please list any honors or recognitions you have received during your career.
- Outstanding Presentation, Great Lakes Pharmacy Residency Conference – 1986
- Preceptor of the Year, Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions – 1998
- Cheers Award, Institute for Safe Medication Practices – 1999
- Exemplary Committee Service Award, NPA – 2007
- Innovative Pharmacy Practice Award, NPA – 2008
- Previously served on the State Board of Health and the NPA Board of Directors
- Currently serve on the Board of Pharmacy and the Nebraska Coalition for Patient Safety Board of Directors
If you could give one message to future pharmacists, what would it be?
Do what you enjoy in your career. It’s a wonderful thing when you like going to work. (I have been fortunate in this regard.)
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Wei X., Zhao G., Xu X., Jia Z., Kumar D., Glissmeyer E., Tran D., Jiang H., Talib S., Chen N., Wang Z., Alnouti Y., Goldring S.R., Wang D.
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