Nebraska Governor's Newsletter May 2026
In this Issue:
- Governor's Message:
- Plan to attend the 2026 Nebraska Chapter ACP Scientific Meeting!
- Docs & Drafts – June 26, 2026
- National Poster Competition
- CME Webinar – August 18, 2026
- ACP 2026 Internal Medicine Meeting
- ACP Internal Medicine Meeting - Doctor's Dilemma team
- Health Equity Committee
- Join the Committee: Nebraska ACP Health Equity Committee
- Upcoming Health Equity Committee volunteer opportunities:
- Hospital Medicine Committee
- Health and Public Policy Committee
- Awards Committee
- Congratulation new ACP Fellows!
- Resident Council
- Medical Student Council
- Fall Legislative Meet & Greet
Lauren E. Nelson, MD, FACP, ACP Governor
Governor's Message:
The Nebraska Chapter of the American College of Physicians has been actively engaged these past few months — from national meetings and advocacy efforts to educational panels and community events. We are excited to share some highlights and preview what's ahead. Thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to our vibrant internal medicine community!
Plan to attend the 2026 Nebraska Chapter ACP Scientific Meeting!
We are excited to announce our scientific meeting will take place Friday, November 13, 2026 at the Omaha Country Club in Omaha, Nebraska. This is a great opportunity to hear what is happening around our state, learn from experienced speakers, and engage with other Nebraska ACP members. Keep an eye out for more information as we get closer to the event.
Docs & Drafts – June 26, 2026
Join Early Career Physicians & Residents for a happy hour at Casual Pint in Countryside Village, Omaha. Network & learn with other physicians while enjoying a summer evening on the Patio. June 26, 5pm – 7pm. RSVP here
National Poster Competition
The Nebraska ACP Poster Competitions will be held via Zoom October 14th for Medical Students and October 21st for Residents. The Abstract portal will open July 1, 2026! The deadline is Monday, September 7th (No late submissions accepted).
Student Call for Abstracts 2026
Residents Call for Abstracts 2026
The resident and medical student winners will advance and compete at the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting April 15-17, 2027 in Los Angeles, California.
CME Webinar – August 18, 2026
Why Doctors are Paid the Way They Are Paid – and Why You Should Care.
A CME Webinar featuring William Fox, MD FACP.
Through this webinar, attendees will understand the historical context of physician payment and the process by which codes are valued by the RUC (Relative Value Update Committee) and the limitations of a fee-for-service, FFS system. They will gain a better understanding of how physicians and medical care is reimbursed, thereby filling a knowledge gap that can improve the quality of care they provide patients.
ACP 2026 Internal Medicine Meeting
Thanks to everyone who attended the 2026 ACP Internal Medicine Meeting. A total of 36 members of the NE ACP gathered in San Francisco and participated in all the educational (and fun) activities, including the Midwest States Reception.
ACP Internal Medicine Meeting – Poster Presenters
A big congratulations to our outstanding poster presenters who represented Nebraska at the ACP Internal Medicine Meeting. We are proud to highlight the hard work and dedication of:
- Trenton Theis, University of Nebraska Medical Center medical student member, for presenting his poster titled “Hemichorea after DKA uncovered diabetic striatopathy- a rare but reversible complication of uncontrolled diabetes.”
- Logan Baumberger, MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center resident member, presented his clinical vignette titled “Penny Wise, Copper Poor: The Hidden Cost of Supplements.”
ACP Internal Medicine Meeting - Doctor's Dilemma team
Kudos to our awesome Doctor's Dilemma team who placed 3rd (tied with US Army), among 59 initial teams.
Drs. Ali Bin Abdul Jabbar, Kyle Gikeson, Shahnoor Ahmed and Sam Berg (alternate player) are all residents of Creighton IM program. Special thanks to Dr. Nelson, Dr. Beachy and Dr. Fox for supporting our members and DD team with your presence at the competition.
Health Equity Committee
Chair: Chelsea Navarrette, MD
In February, a group from Internal Medicine volunteered to assembling essential kits of period products with Access Period . It is estimated that 1 in 4 teens miss school due to menstrual poverty. Menstrual poverty is defined as inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products & sanitation facilities, and lack of education regarding menstruation. Those living in low-income households, suffering from food instability, and racial/ethnic minoritized communities are more greatly impacted. The kits contained 3 months of period supplies including tampons, liners, disposable wipes, disposal bags, and a Guide to a Happy Period which helps people continue to participate fully in work and education during their menstruation. A total of about 20 ACP members, UNMC faculty/staff, and Creighton faculty/medical students gathered for this event to assemble 225 period packs!
Join the Committee: Nebraska ACP Health Equity Committee
Join colleagues who are passionate about advancing health equity across our communities. Our work focuses on planning community outreach events, donation drives, creating educational programs, and fostering meaningful partnerships that address disparities in care. We are committed to building sustainable pathways to support individuals underrepresented in medicine (URiM) and strengthening engagement and advocacy efforts across our state. This is an opportunity to collaborate, lead, and contribute to impactful initiatives that extend beyond clinical care.
Contact trisha@omahamedical.com for more information.
Upcoming Health Equity Committee volunteer opportunities:
AfroFest: Saturday, September 5, 2026
AfroFest is looking for helping hands! Join us for an energizing celebration of African culture and community and lend just one hour between 2–6 PM to support community members by taking their Blood Pressure. Your time makes a real impact. Sign up, show up, and be part of a joyful afternoon of connection and culture.
Hospital Medicine Committee
Chair: Christopher Smith, MD
The newly formed Hospital Medicine Committee had their first meeting in January. The mission statement of the committee is:
“The mission of the ACP Nebraska Chapter HM Committee is to support, connect, and advocate for an inclusive, statewide community of hospital medicine professionals by promoting evidence-based care, professional development, leadership, and clinician well-being.”
Committee members include: Christopher Smith, Committee Chair, UNMC/Nebraska Medicine, Omaha; Kurt Kapels, Columbus Community Hospital, Columbus; Caitlin Foxley, Creighton University, VA Medical Center, Omaha; Sowjanya Kanakadandi, St. Francis Medical Center, Grand Island; Austin Rupp, UNMC/Nebraska Medicine, Omaha; Tony Macdissi, CHI Lakeside Hospital, Omaha; Brian Keegan, Faith Health, Norfolk; Beth Rawlings, St. Elizabeth and Nebraska Heart Hospital, Lincoln; Mahliqha Qasimyar, UNMC/Nebraska Medicine, Omaha
The group is excited to become an active part of the chapter and currently setting goals for the upcoming year. Please don't hesitate to contact Chris Smith csmithj@unmc.edu with any collaboration opportunities! We wish to announce a SAVE THE DATE for the 2027 Midwest Point of Care Ultrasound Conference which will be held May 13-14, 2027 at UNMC in Omaha. More details to come!
Health and Public Policy Committee
Chair: Stephanie Hartman, MD
Leadership Day 2026 in Washington DC was held May 12-13th with six physicians and students representing the NE chapter. Leadership Day consists of a day of discussion and training around advocacy on ACP Policies followed by a day spent meeting with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. We had a very successful trip and started our visit to Capitol Hill on Wednesday by attending the Nebraska Breakfast. The Nebraska Breakfast is attended by the entire Nebraska Delegation and gave our group a chance to hear about what's happening on Capitol Hill from their perspective.
The delegation from NE ACP included: Marvin Bittner, MD, MACP, Sowjanya Kanakadandi, MD, FACP, Stephanie Hartman, MD, FACP and Health and Human Policy Chair, Chase Jablon, MD, UNMC graduate, Cinthiya Chander, M3 CUMC, Stephanie Dong, MD UNMC graduate
The focus of this Leadership Day Advocacy Event was around these three ACP priorities (hyperlinks to each are from ACP with more detailed information):
1. Cosponsor H.R. 2028/S. 942, the REDI (Resident Education Deferred Interest) Act, which would allow borrowers to qualify for interest-free deferment on their federal student loans while in a medical or dental internship or residency program.
2. Cosponsor H.R.5448/S.2857, the Protecting Free Vaccines Act, which would protect public health by ensuring that patients will have access to well-established vaccines backed by rigorous scientific standards and fact-based science, without cost-sharing.
3. Cosponsor H.R. 8163, the Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026, a bipartisan bill that would help strengthen and stabilize the Medicare payment system by reducing the annual payment cuts in the fee schedule due to the budget neutrality mandate.
Please enroll in the Advocates for Internal Medicine Network and you will be sent emails (~once a month) with information about important issues and a link to email your Senators and Representative a customizable form letter: https://www.acponline.org/advocacy/get-involved-advocacy-in-action/legislative-action-center?check_logged_in=1
If you are interested in joining the Health and Public Policy Committee we would love to have you. Please email trisha@omahamedical.com and Stephanie.hartman.md@gmail.com with your interest.
Do you have a relationship or tie to a local, state, or federal lawmaker? If so, it could be helpful to our Health and Public Policy Committee. Please contact committee chair stephanie.hartman.md@gmail.com stephanie.hartman.md@gmail.com to connect.
Awards Committee
Chair: Regan Taylor, MD
Do you know physicians who are doing outstanding work? The Awards Committee will be meeting to review nominations for the ACP Chapter Awards. Don't know what award to nominate them for? No problem! Tell us why you think they are great, and what they do, and we will find something that fits. Even if they don't win this year, we will keep them in mind for future years. Please submit nominations by June 10, 2026
Congratulation new ACP Fellows!
Congratulations to the Nebraska Chapter's newest Fellows. Fellowship in the College is an honor. Being an FACP® is a distinction earned from colleagues who recognize your accomplishments and achievements over and above the practice of medicine. The most important considerations for ACP Fellowship are excellence and contributions made to both medicine and to the broader community in which the internist lives and practices.
- Joseph M Pachunka, MD FACP
- Zachary S DePew, MD FACP
- Venkata Sowjanya Kanakadandi, MBBS MD FACP
Resident Council
The role of Resident/Fellow representative involves a 1-year term with participation in 2-3 council meetings and occasional chapter events to represent your program and the interests of your peers. The Resident/Fellow representatives also serve as co-chairs of the chapter Resident/Fellow Council.
A summer networking Happy Hour is scheduled for Friday, June 26 at the Casual Pint in Countryside Village from 4pm – 6pm with the Early Career Physicians committee. Mark your calendar and share the date with other Residents.
Medical Student Council
The role of student representative involves a 1-year term with participation in 2-3 council meetings and occasional chapter events to represent your program and the interests of your peers. The student reps on the council also serve as co-chairs of the chapter student council.
Thank you, NE ACP Student Council members! We have a great group of medical students who are eager to participate. They are currently planning a zoom training focused on the topic “How to Prepare for and Excel in Clinical Rotations”.
Fall Legislative Meet & Greet
NE ACP is proud to co-sponsor a unique opportunity for Nebraska lawmakers to meet with our member physicians to explore the rapidly changing healthcare environment and its impact on the health of our community.
September 18, 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00 pm
One Pacific Place Clubhouse – 1365 S. 101st Street, Omaha
More information can be found here.