MMI Voices: Growing the Care Coordination Program to better serve patients, families at MMI

This program plays a vital role in connecting individuals to the care, services and community resources they need to thrive. As health care becomes more complex, our care coordination team ensures that no one feels lost navigating medical appointments, referrals from health care providers and support systems.

'State of the Institute' highlights growth, goals at MMI

MMI Dean and Director Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD, spoke about primary care, clinical goals and research growth among other topics during his annual “State of the Institute" address.

SOAR conference aids self-advocates

The three-day conference offered presentations led by individuals with disabilities. Topics focused on how to advocate for yourself on personal and systems levels.

Trick-or-Treat event draws nearly 750

The event, in its eighth year, drew its largest crowd ever with nearly 750 guests. At times, a line of costumed kiddos — and some adults — snaked around the sidewalk.

10-19-25_MMIhalloween-015-2048x1365 image

Longtime MMI advocate an example of giving back to community

Ron Niederhaus, a long-time member of the Meyer Foundation for Disabilities, died in October at age 79. He was active in the Munroe-Meyer Institute community for many years.

Food drive to benefit families in need during holiday season

The Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Quality Council is hosting a food drive to benefit families in need during the holidays and beyond.

Employees can donate non-perishable food items through Nov. 20. Donation bins will be placed in the fourth-floor staff breakroom, near the Recreational Therapy Department entrance and in the main lobby near OpPourtunity Brew.

Donations will go to Food Bank for the Heartland. Most needed items include boxed meals, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, canned tuna, canned chicken, cereal, pancake mix, canned fruits and vegetables, pork and beans, pasta, pasta sauce and rice.

Severe Behavior Department wins annual costume contest

The Munroe-Meyer Institute's Severe Behavior Department won the 2025 Halloweem costume contest with an "MMI-opoly" theme. Staffers dressed as property pieces, dice and other aspects of "Monopoly." Each game piece had an MMI twist.

The contest, hosted by the MMI Quality Council, drew participation from 15 departments across the institute.

Research publications

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

A Family Systems Approach to Augmentative and Alternative Communication Service Delivery in the Inpatient Setting: Recommendations for Speech-Language Pathologists

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

Jessica Gormley, PhD - Department of Speech-Language Pathology

Maryjan Fiala - UCEDD

Effectiveness of a Time-limited Patient Training Program via Telehealth for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Externalizing Behavior

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics

Patricia Zemantic, PhD - integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)

Whitney Strong-Bak, PhD - Department of Psychology

Lynda Hayes, PhD - Department of Psychology

Toward a Better Understanding of Meaningful Differences in the Adapted Alternating Treatments Design

Journal of Behavioral Education

Nicole Rodriguez, PhD - integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)

Emily Ferris - integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)

Nicole Pantano, PhD - integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)

Catalina Rey, PhD - integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (iCASD)

Link of the month

MLB on FOX: RJ Peete embodies what it means to be family within the Los Angeles Dodgers' clubhouse.

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

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.

Email your news to us!

Subscribe Here!

Munroe-Meyer Institute

985450 Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha, NE 68198-5450

Phone: 402-559-6418

E-mail us

Visit our website