 |
MMI Monthly
The electronic newsletter of the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
|
|
A message from the director:
Oh, the places we'll go
It's good to be here.
Welcome to the inaugural issue of MMI Monthly -- and thank you for welcoming me to the Munroe-Meyer Institute. I am excited to be here and look forward to getting to know you as we work together to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, both here in Nebraska and beyond.
There will be time for you to learn more about me, but here's a personal note: my favorite book is Dr. Seuss's "Oh, the Places You'll Go," especially the line "
So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact."
I think this is very important advice. Actions have consequences, and I'm a man of action. My natural instinct, as with most Type-A personalities, is to act. And I had to learn over time to step with great care -- otherwise you can mess things up, you can have unintended consequences.
I'm here to lead. But I'm also here to learn, and I look forward to learning more about this community, this institute, and the people we serve. I look forward to MMI taking a leadership position in the state -- with great care and tact -- as we work to best serve the people who look to us for help.
I'm happy to be a part of MMI. Now let's set our goals and go.
Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Munroe-Meyer Institute
|
|
|
|
MMI's Askew on target in lab and in competition
James Askew, a research technologist in the developmental neuroscience lab of Shelley Smith, Ph.D., took two bronze medals in fencing events at the Cornhusker State Games.
Click here to read more.
|
|
|
From left, Dakota and Joshua Ray
|
Brother's project could net grant for MMI
Joshua and Dakota Ray-Price, sons of the Munroe-Meyer Institute's Rachel Ray, are semifinalists in the Paradigm Challenge, one of the largest youth innovation competitions in the world. If they win, it could mean a grant for MMI.
Click here to read more.
|
|
|
From left, Hattie B. Munroe Foundation Vice President Merilee Miller, Sydney Rhoades, Emma Fleischer and Carol Nathan, daughter of Rhoda Davis Blatt.
|
MMI rec therapy staffers receive scholarships
On June 9, the Munroe-Meyer Institute's operating board held a scholarship presentation for two speech language pathology students who are also members of the MMI recreational therapy staff. Emma Fleischer, who will be beginning graduate school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall, received the Rhoda Davis Blatt Scholarship. The scholarship is in memory of longtime UNMC and MMI staff member Rhoda Davis Blatt, who was the first administrator of Camp Munroe. Sydney Rhoades, who will be a senior at UNL this fall, received the Hattie B. Munroe Foundation Scholarship.
|
|
MMI Profile: Kimberly Brown
Kimberly Brown, a
dministrative associate II, is the new a
dministrative support staff to Dr. Mirnics. Below, she shares some information about herself.
Name: Kimberly Brown
Time at MMI: 16 fabulous months!
The best part about my job: Having just recently moved into this position, the best part is the excitement I have in being part in taking MMI to its next level.
Best MMI memory: Receiving the Silver U award. Totally unexpected!
If I had another career, it would be: Radiologist
Not everyone knows that: My daughter "Tricia" works in the daycare here at UNMC "CDC."
One more thing: I love toasted cheese sandwiches! No not grilled cheese. Just toasted bread with cheese on it.
.
|
|
|
Among the MMI volunteers and staff on the scene at the Owl Ride were: back row, Marco Mirnics, Jon Purcel, Bridget Mulhall, Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., Hilary Harder, Nicole Giron, Emma Mirnics, Zeljka Korade, D.V.M., Ph.D.; front row, Cal Strawhecker, Natalie Strawhecker, Natalie Huston, Bridget Battafarano and Jessica Adamowicz.
|
MMI staff, supporters light up the night at the Owl Ride
|
|
Legislative update
By Mark Smith
Two bills that passed in the unicameral this session will significantly impact disability services in Nebraska.
LB 895,
sponsored by Colby Coash, chair of the Beatrice State Developmental Center (BSDC) Special Advisory Committee, directs the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services/Developmental Disabilities (NDHHSDD) to develop comprehensive plans going forward for Bridges and BSDC, the two state-run congregate care facilities for individuals with disabilities. They are to look at resident's suitability for community services, preferences, and review national trends in these types of services. It also requires a cost-efficiency analysis and review of the physical facilities. This is an attempt to bring Nebraska into
greater
compliance with
the Supreme Court Olmstead vs. L.C. (1999) decision and bodes well for improving NDHHSDD services in Nebraska.
LB 1033,
sponsored by Kathy Campbell, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, also is a
bill based on bringing the state into enhanced compliance with the Supreme Court Olmstead decision
. This law requires the state to take all necessary steps regarding the integration mandate
required
by
Olmstead and develop a strategic plan with stakeholder input to address community-based needs of Nebraskans with disabilities.
Both bills represent
a
serious attempt on the part of Nebraska to
purposefully and strategically
plan for the future regarding services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,
the first such attempt in some time
. There is a clear
focus
inherent in these bills toward serving
more eligible individuals
in the community, a step that would impact MMI as a professional training and service provision site.
|
|
Camping fun
Campers and staff at MMI's Camp Munroe enjoyed a visit in July from Wildlife Encounters of Gretna. Now in its 34th year, Camp Munroe will serve approximately 200 campers in 2016, with approximately 200 volunteers on hand to share in the fun.
Read more about Camp Munroe.
|
|
News in brief
Staff members attend Chicago convention
Over the Memorial Day weekend, 40 staff members from the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program attended the 42nd Annual Association for Behavior Analysis International Convention in Chicago. Of the 40 attendees, 21 were selected to present in symposia, 15 posters were selected, four chaired symposia, and four served as discussants in symposia.
Dr. Dunaevsky to serve with the Center for Scientific Review
Anna Dunaevsky, Ph.D., associate professor, developmental neuroscience, has been chosen to serve as a member of the Developmental Brain Disorders Study Section, Center for Scientific Review from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2022.
Members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors.
"Service on a study section also requires mature judgment and objectivity as well as the ability to work effectively in a group, qualities we believe Dr. Dunaevsky will bring to this important task," said Richard Nakamura, Ph.D., director of the Center for Scientific Review at the National Institutes of Health in a letter announcing Dr. Dunaevsky's selection. "Membership on a study section represents a major commitment of professional time and energy as well as a unique opportunity to contribute to the national biomedical research effort."
Lifetime Achievement Award for Dr. Dave
Earlier this year, Bhavana Dave, Ph.D., professor and associate director of the Human Genetics Laboratory, received the Shri Ramniklal J. Kinarivala Cancer Research Award -- a lifetime achievement award for her contributions in the field of cancer diagnosis, research, and treatment The award was granted by the Gujarat Cancer Society and the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute in India.
Dr. Piazza elected SEAB president
In May, at the Association for Behavior Analysis-International Conference, the board of directors of the Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (SEAB) elected
Cathleen Piazza, Ph.D.,
as the new SEAB president and chair. The SEAB board owns and oversees the field's two flagship journals, The Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior and the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. The SEAB board also engages in philanthropic activities that help to promote the study and analysis of behavior as a natural science. At this year's conference, Dr. Piazza will chair the annual meeting of the SEAB Board of Directors.
Shorts
|
|
Silver U winners
The following MMI staff members received Silver U Awards in the past months:
June: Carly DeBruin, recreational program associate and adaptive therapy specialist
April: Kim Brown, administrative associate
|
|
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events of interest to the MMI community.
Aug. 3-Sept. 2: CRAVE Cares.
In August, the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities will be the CRAVE Cares partner for CRAVE Restaurant, 200 S. 31st Ave. in Midtown Crossing. Each month, CRAVE features a different non-profit partner to raise awareness and funds. In celebration of the sixth year anniversary of the program, CRAVE has partnered with Round It Up America to enable guests to "round up" their check to donate to MFD in August. Guests are also able to order off a Specialty CRAVE Cares Menu each month, where a percentage of the sales are, in turn, donated to the organization! Visit CRAVE in August and support MFD! Learn more about the CRAVE Cares program here.
Aug. 27: Fire and Safety Day. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fire Training Center, 3100 Cornhusker Road, Bellevue. Join the Ollie Webb Center, Parent to Parent, Autism Society Omaha, Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome-Omaha and the Bellevue Fire Department. Enjoy an opportunity meet face to face with emergency personnel, explore and learn about firetrucks, firefighter gear, ambulances, seatbelt safety, first aid, poison control, 911, and more information that could one day keep individuals and families safe in an emergency situation. RSVP here to attend.
|
|
New to MMI
Here are the new hires at MMI since March:
Munroe-Meyer Institute
Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D.
Administration
Leticia Halverson
Emily Brown
Ellen Bennett
Janet Miller
Center for Pediatric Feeding Disorders
Amanda Steinhour
Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Laura Connelly
Tiearra Johnson
Natasha Chamberlain
Alexander O'Donnell
Cytogenetics
Amanda Keith
Christina Yeung
Developmental Medicine
Caroline Tolley
Kristy Large
Speech Pathology
Enoch Ulmer
|
|
Send your news to MMI Monthly
Is there something exciting going on in your department? Send your news to MMI Monthly to share with your colleagues at the Munroe-Meyer Institute. MMI Monthly will be published during the first week of each month.
Send your news to us!
|
|
Contact the Munroe-Meyer Institute
|
|
|
|
|
|
