MMI Monthly

Updates from the Munroe-Meyer Institute | June and July 2025

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Director's message: What clinical genetic testing can and cannot tell us


The clinical impact of discoveries and technological advances in genetics over the past 25 years cannot be understated. However, a gap between the newest genetic discoveries and its use for patient care will always be present.



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Community celebrates opening of Fremont ACT Clinic


The clinic, which has been providing services since 2024, is the third ACT Clinic opened by UNMC and the Munroe-Meyer Institute, and the first outside of the Omaha metro area.


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BHECN funds help MMI fill rural psychology internship spots


The Munroe-Meyer Institute has filled all three of its rural psychology internship spots thanks, in part, to funding from the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN).


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Patients can now use new self-serve check-in kiosks at MMI


This self-service option allows patients — or their parents, legal guardians or health care agents — to complete the check-in and arrival process independently. 


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Annual art show saw more than 200 works on display at MMI


More than 200 pieces of art made by about 40 students were on display during the annual Advocacy and the Arts exhibit.


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Department of Speech-Language Pathology raises awareness


Members of the Munroe-Meyer Institute Department of Speech-Language Pathology participated in two events in May to raise awareness of its services.


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Art workshop helps participants with communication disorders


A 10-week art program held at the Munroe-Meyer Institute helped about a dozen participants with various cognitive communication disorders.


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Steady rain didn't deter crowd at 56th Annual Garden Walk


During the Munroe-Meyer Guild’s 56th Annual Garden Walk, the sprawling gardens were dotted with umbrellas and raincoat-clad garden-goers. The steady rain didn't hurt turnout.


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Families enjoy zoo at respite event


The Munroe-Meyer Institute’s respite care team hosted an event at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in June for individuals with disabilities and their families.


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Navigating your baby's NICU experience with confidence


“While improved survival rates for babies in the NICU is all great news, this fragile time in baby’s life can take its toll both emotionally and physically on parents and needs to be validated and addressed,” says Cara Solness, PhD.


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Researchers address early childhood needs of immigrant, refugee families


A recent multi-campus study found that many immigrant and refugee families in Nebraska struggle to access services to address developmental delays or disabilities in children, particularly those age 3 and younger. 


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UNMC and MMI join in collaboration with Picotte Center


The center on the Omaha Reservation honors the legacy of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, partly through new health initiatives with a multidisciplinary team of providers.


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Research publications

 

The following studies were published by MMI researchers in the last two months:

 

Beyond self-care: Developing a climate survey for school psychology programs

Journal of School Psychology

Kaitlyn Young - Department of Psychology

 

Pre-Treatment Assessments to Identify Treatment Components for an Adolescent with Subtype-3 Self-Injurious Behavior

Behavioral Sciences

Kyle Dawson – Department of Severe Behavior

Amanda Morris – Department of Severe Behavior

Tara Fahmie – Department of Severe Behavior

Kortlyn Tawney – Autism Care for Toddlers North (iCASD)

Carter Welch – Former MMI SURP student

 

A preliminary evaluation of prescribing therapist-worn protective equipment

Journal of Organizational Behavior Management

Emily Sullivan – Department of Severe Behavior

Amanda Zangrillo - Department of Severe Behavior

 

Genetic counselors providing care to inpatients experience moral distress

Journal of Genetic Counseling

Kristen Fishler – Department of Genetic Medicine

Hannah Steber – Department of Genetic Medicine

Kylie Vermeire – Genetic Counseling Program, College of Allied Health Professions


Supporting effective alternative access for individuals with physical disabilities: state of the science, emerging technologies, and future research directions

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Susan Fager – Department of Speech Language Pathology

Jessica Gormley – Department of Speech Language Pathology


Bi-allelic variants in POPDC2 cause an autosomal recessive syndrome presenting with cardiac conduction defects and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The American Journal of Human Genetics

Kristen Fishler Malone – Department of Genetic Medicine


Preventing Challenging Behavior in Autism Children

In: Mitteer, D.R. (eds) Toward Durability and Generalization in Support of Autistic Individuals. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer

Tara Fahmie – Department of Severe Behavior

Alice Shillingsburg – integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)


Maintaining and Generalizing Social Skills for Individuals with Autism

In: Mitteer, D.R. (eds) Toward Durability and Generalization in Support of Autistic Individuals. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. SpringerKristen Fishler – Department of Genetic Medicine

Alice Shillingsburg – integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)

Sarah Connolly – integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)


Dismantling societal barriers that limit people who need or use AAC: lived experiences, key research findings, and future directions

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Susan Fager – Department of Speech Language Pathology

Jessica Gormley – Department of Speech Language Pathology


Research methodologies in genetic counseling: Grounded theory

Journal of Genetic Counseling

Kristen Fishler Malone – Department of Genetic Medicine

 

The Profound Impact of Early Intervention on Autistic Outcomes

In: Mitteer, D.R. (eds) Toward Durability and Generalization in Support of Autistic Individuals. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer

Mary Halbur – ACTION Clinic, integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)

Sarah Frampton – Department of Psychology

Beverly Nichols – ACTION Clinic, integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)

 

An Analysis of the generalization of Pretend Play from Real Objects to Toys

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

Toni Rose Agana – integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)

Nicole Rodriguez – integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)

 

An end to genetic exceptionalism: reframing the ethics of genomic sequencing for rapid neonatal diagnosis

Seminars in Perinatology

Kristen Fishler Malone – Department of Genetic Medicine

Links of the month


Fremont Tribune: Autism Care for Toddlers Clinic brings care, hope closer to home with Fremont opening


WOWT: Sensory kits available for first time at CWS


CNN: Hundreds of thousands of children have Type 1 diabetes. Now, there's a Barbie who has it, too

Contact us


To learn more about initiatives featured in this publication, contact Community Engagement at MMICommunityEngage@unmc.edu or 402-559-9828.

 

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Phone: 402-559-6418
 
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