Omaha Magazine - January/February 2022

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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B OB M AT HE W S • F OUR CHIL DR EN, F I V E MINU T E S • I TA L V I TA L • M AT T HE W MUR R AY

Congratulations to our pediatricians and pediatric specialists on being recognized among Omaha’s Premier Doctors.

Thank you for giving your very best for kids.

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FROM THE EDITOR // LETTER BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN

QUADRUPLES, NATIONAL TELEVISION, AND HEALTHY LIVING New Year Brings Inspiring Stories

J

anuary is an inspiring month. The name, according from brittanica.com, comes from Janus, the Roman god of passage and new beginnings.

Hopefully this magazine will inspire readers as they start 2022. The two main features this month have to do with medicine. In one feature, health writer Susan Meyers talks about how artificial intelligence is helping doctors work more efficiently and quickly, often two key points when recovering from an illness or injury.

The second feature tells the story of Maria and Joseph Sawaged, a couple who stopped at nothing to achieve their dream of conceiving a child. Maria undertook 13 rounds of fertility treatments in order to become pregnant, and the end result was one set of four healthy young ones, born at the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

Gen O is often a favorite department of mine, and this month’s article did not disappoint. Young musician Matthew Murray primarily plays violin, but also plays the guitar, and keyboards, and dances. He is a generous person who finds ways to give time or money whenever possible, even if that means an impromptu performance at a store.

The profile is about Dr. Jaime Seeman, whose story I found inspiring.

She competed on The Titan Games and won the title of Mrs. Nebraska in 2020. The obstetrician-gynecologist is a long way from where she was in 2015, when she was diagnosed with prediabetes and hypothyroidism.

A report from CBS News in mid-November 2021 stated that the cost of meat has risen substantially across the board. While this varies from state to state, overall figures reveal that chicken, beef, pork, and fish prices had all risen by at least 10%. That is one factor that led forecasters to predict the food trend of reducetarianism for 2022. Reducetarianism is a style of eating in which people gradually reduce their consumption of animal products. The dining section this month brings three articles that can help anyone interested in this trend. Imani Murray created Ital Vital with her Jamaican belief in Rastafarianism in mind.

Chef Lauren Wright became a vegan when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, but missed eating cakes, cinnamon rolls, and potato salad; so she created Conscious Comforts. The dining review is about a one-day juice cleanse from Evolve.

Artist Bob Mathews paints brightly colored kangaroos and portraits, as well as sculpts. Before painting full-time, however, he was known as Dr. Mathews, an ER physician.

Omaha Magazine prints many articles about people, and some of my favorite articles are those about people who see Omaha as the great city it is. Walter Shatley is one of those people. The actor came to Nebraska from Norman, Oklahoma, in the early 2000s. He married fellow transplant Samantha Butler, moved to New York City, and consciously chose Omaha as the place to start a family.

There are many inspiring articles in this issue. I hope you enjoy them all.

* Note: The hotel edition of Omaha Magazine has a different cover and does not include all of the editorial content included in the magazine’s full city edition. For more information on our city edition, visit OmahaMagazine.com.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

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2022

TAB L E of CON T E N T S THE USUAL SUSPECTS 03

From the Editor Quadruples, National Television, and Healthy Living

06

Between the Lines

08

Calendar of Events

066 History

Polio, An Iron-Clad Problem

081 Obviously Omaha Local Podcasts

098 Explore!

103 Instagram 104 Not Funny Sports?

A R T S + C U LT U R E 014 Music

Alexis Arai

018 Theater

Walter Shatley

020 Visual

Bob Mathews

022 Poetry

Ryan Boyland

PE O P L E

032

F E AT U R E S

028 032 FOUR CHILDREN, FIVE MINUTES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Changing the Delivery of Health Care

More than a Dozen Rounds of Fertility Treatments

026 Adventure

Mary Franck

054 Gen O

Matthew Murray

056 Profile

Jaime Seeman

058 Sports

Vijaya Kumar Yajjala

SPECIAL SECTION 036 Premier Doctors GIVING 062 Calendar

// 4 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

read online at omahamagazine.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

FERTILIZING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN OMAHA

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B OB M AT HE W S • F OUR CHIL DR EN, F I V E MINU T E S • I TA L V I TA L • M AT T HE W MUR R AY

A B O U T T HE COV ER

014

No longer in its embryonic stage, AI is changing the delivery methods and speed of health care. Meanwhile, IU, or intrauterine fertility treatment, helped one Omaha couple conceive quadruplets.

60PLUS

070 Active Living Jan Mactier

072 Profile

Rick Galusha

074 Nostalgia

Medical Myths

DINING 082 Feature

Ital Vital

086 Profile

Lauren Wright

088 Review

Juice Cleanse

092 Dining Guide

082 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 5 //

Between

THE LINES A LOOK AT TH R E E OMAHA MAGAZINE TEAM MEMBERS

OMAHA’S

MAGAZINE

CHRIS CHRISTEN—Freelance Writer Christen is a career journalist who recently moved into public relations. She continues her storytelling as a freelance writer, photographer, and editor. Christen was inducted into the Omaha Press Club Journalists of Excellence Hall of Fame in 2021, and currently is a trustee of the Omaha Press Club Foundation. She loves exploring nature and museums; dabbling in musical theater, and traveling. Cooking and early morning meetings? Not so much. This issue marks Christen’ first as a contributor to Omaha Magazine.

TERRY JENSEN—Editorial Intern Jensen believes that life is all about the stories, so she is passionate about writing and reading. This University of Nebraska at Omaha student graduated in December 2021 with an English major and creative writing minor. In a past life, she worked in apartment management, and in early childhood education and retail sales, sometimes concurrently. When Jensen’s not busy with school, she enjoys playing pub trivia with her family and hanging out with her miniAustralian shepherds, Pepper and Natasha. Jensen hopes to write professionally when she grows up.

MEGAN FABRY—Freelance Writer Born and raised in Omaha, this one-third of triplets spent most of her childhood hanging out with her other two-thirds and their older brother. Fabry graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a journalism and media communications degree, and a minor in English, and spent much of her time working as the arts and entertainment editor for the UNO newspaper The Gateway. Although she travels often for work, her true joy is traveling for leisure, where she can cross items off her bucket list one at a time. In her spare time, she likes hunting for discount books, spending time with her family, and collecting vinyl records. // 6 //

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EVENTS

» Exhibits « FORM

Through Feb. 25 at K ANEKO, 1111 Jones St .

In October 2021, KANEKO founder Jun Kaneko received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center, recognizing his contributions to the field of sculpture. In honor of this award, he has installed an exhibit in the KANEKO Bow Truss Gallery featuring pieces from his permanent collection. Admission: free. Thursday-Friday 1-7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday noon-5 p.m. 402.341.3800.

–thekaneko.org

HOLIDAY AT SUGAR HILL: PHOTOGRAPHY BY JERRY DANTZIC

Through Feb. 27 at Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. In April 1957, photojournalist Jerry

Dantzic gained special access to Billie Holiday during a week-long run of performances at the Newark, New Jersey, nightclub, Sugar Hill. His discreet, respectful, artful approach, using only available light, helped forge a bond of trust—and gave him unprecedented access to his subject. The result is a series of remarkable images that challenge the tragic narrative that frequently defines Billie Holiday. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $7 children (3-12), free for members and children 2 and under. Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Closed Mondays.

402.444.5071.

—durhammuseum.org

// 8 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

I DON’T KNOW YOU LIKE THAT: THE BODYWORK OF HOSPITALITY

Through March 19 at Bemis Center, 724 S. 12th St. Hospitality is usually considered a philosophi-

cal concept with juridical implications, an ethical concern, or a social/political practice. This group exhibition shifts the focus to consider the stealth work of hospitality on our conceptual, physical, political, and historical understanding of bodies.

Admission: free. Wednesday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 402.341.7130.

—bemiscenter.org

FACES FROM THE INTERIOR: THE NORTH AMERICAN PORTRAITS OF KARL BODMER

Through May 1 at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Th is is Joslyn’s first exhibit to focus

on Karl Bodmer’s watercolor portraits of Native Americans and features 64 recently conserved watercolors, including portraits of individuals from Omaha tribes. Tickets: $10 general admission, $5 college students with ID, free for Joslyn members and youth ages 17 and younger. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. 402.342.3300.

—joslyn.org

A PORTRAIT OF MEDICAL HUMANITIES: ARTWORK BY CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Jan. 5-31 at Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St. This exhibition is a collection of works

made by Creighton University Studio Art majors and Creighton University School of Medicine students. Admission: free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Weekends 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 402.342.6452.

—hotshopsartcenter.com

#SCANXIETY BY RACHEL MINDRUP

Feb. 2-28, at Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St. Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disor-

der that occurs in 1 in 3,000 births. It can cause tumors to grow anywhere on or in the body at any time in an individual’s life. They live in the spaces from MRI to MRI with “scanxiety” emanating into a “what next” subcurrent of daily life with NF. Admission: free. Weekdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Weekends 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 402.342.6452.

—hotshopsartcenter.com

FOREVER FOREST

Feb. 5 - April 16 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. Exploring the realities of forests

through play, families will learn about sustainability, selective harvesting, transportation needs, and the everyday products we use that are made from trees. The exhibit includes a tree top climber, a realistic mini replica of a Union Pacific engine, a kid-sized home under construction for children to help build, and more. Admission: Members and under 2 free. Kids 2-15 and adults $14, seniors 60+ $13. Tuesdays-Fridays 9 a.m-4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m.-5:00 p.m. 402.342.6164.

—ocm.org

» Concerts « KEEP PUSH’N: MUSIC OF REO SPEEDWAGON WITH BOOM BAND

Jan. 1 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St.

The four members of the Beatles tribute band Come Together decided to take their music one step further to pay tribute to another great band.

Tickets: $10 ADV. 8 p.m. 402.884.5353 —waitingroomlounge.com

THE LONELY ONES

Jan. 5 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave.

Formed in the summer of 2019, The Lonely Ones are a four-piece vocal-oriented hard rock band with an ear for melody and a taste for success. Tickets: $15 ADV, $20 DOS. 8 p.m. 402.884.5707 —reverblounge.com

JAIMIE BRANCH

Jan. 6 at Low End, Bemis Center, 724 S. 12th St. Branch is a Colombian-American Brook-

lyn-based musician and artist working in the areas of improvisation and composition. Admission: free. 8 p.m. 402.341.7130.

—bemiscenter.org

Five venues, five unique celebration experiences. Hosting events for 100 - 1,000 guests, Omaha Event Group boasts 15 years of experience with over 300 events each year, including Omaha Fashion Week. Schedule a consultation with our team of experts today. hello@omahaeventgroup.com | 402.819.8792 | omahaeventgroup.com Omaha Design Center | The Downtown Club | Empire Room | Omaha Palazzo | Anderson O'Brien Fine Art Gallery

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 9 //

OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

REBA: LIVE IN CONCERT TOUR

Feb. 3 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. One of the most successful female record-

ing artists in history, McEntire has sold over 56 million albums worldwide. Tickets: $26.50-$199.

8 p.m. 402.341.1500 —chihealth.com

WALKER HAYES-THE FANCY LIKE TOUR

Feb. 5 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. Hayes’

recent EP Country Stuff includes the RIAA certified Platinum hit “Fancy Like,” which has topped every country streaming and sales chart since its release. Tickets: $25-$54. 7:30 p.m. 402.934.9966.

—ralstonarena.com

OMAHA SYMPHONY-PERRY GILMORE PLAYS SAINT-GEORGES

Feb. 6 at Witherspoon Concert Hall, Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. The program begins

with the “Polish Dance” from Chabrier’s comic opera, The Reluctant King and concludes with Louise Farrenc’s “Symphony No. 3.” Tickets: $35$45. 2 p.m. 402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

THE BLACK ANGELS

Feb. 7 at The Slowdown, 729 S. 14th St. The

SHAYNA STEELE

Jan. 14 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Known from recordings with

Snarky Puppy, Moby, and others, Steele will perform at the Holland Music Club. Tickets: $30.

7:30 p.m. 402.342.3300.

—o-pa-org

FLATLAND CAVALRY

Jan. 14 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Texas Flatland Cavalry continue to evolve as

musicians and storytellers. Tickets $20. 8 p.m.

402.884.5353 —waitingroomlounge.com

PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION & ANTHONY MCGILL

Jan.14 -15 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Principal clarinet of the New

York Philharmonic Anthony McGill joins the Omaha Symphony for a performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A Major. Tickets:$20-$81.

7:30 p.m. 402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

THE DEAD SOUTH TWIN TWANGLER TOUR

Jan 16-17 at The Slowdown, 729 S. 14th St. The

Dead South is a four-piece acoustic ensemble that blends elements of folk, bluegrass, classical, and rockin’ boot-stompin’ acoustic music. Tickets: $28.50 ADV, $36.50 DOS, $55 two-night pass.

8 p.m. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

// 10 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

NELLY WITH BLANCO BROWN: LIL BIT OF MUSIC SERIES

Jan. 19 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. Nelly, the

multi-platinum, three-time Grammy-winning artist and four-time AMA-winning entertainer reschedules his Fall Concert Series. Tickets: $45$95. 7:30 p.m. 402.934.9966 —ralstonarena.com

MUSIC OF THE KNIGHTS

Jan. 22 - 23 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCa-

rtney, and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber are not only knights, they are also three of the most successful songwriters of all time. Omaha Symphony’s Music of the Knights® honors their lasting musical influence. Tickets: $20-$89. Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. 402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

I, THE BREATHER

Jan. 27 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Celebrate the 10 year reunion tour for These

Are My Sins and Truth and Purpose with I the Breather, Sleepwalker, Curses, and Execution Day. Tickets $12 ADV, $15 DOS. 7 p.m. 402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

Black Angels have toured with Queens of the Stone Age, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Black Keys, and played festivals such as Glastonbury, Coachella, and Bonnaroo. Tickets: $22 ADV, $25 DOS. 8 p.m. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

ERIC CHURCH: THE GATHER AGAIN TOUR

Feb. 11 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. Church has released nine studio albums

since 2005. His style has been described as country rock, outlaw country, and southern rock. Tickets; $36-$166. 8 p.m. 402.341.1500 —chihealth.com

OMAHA SYMPHONY-BAHL AND TIME FOR THREE

Feb. 11 - 12 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. The concert’s first half fea-

tures Sarah Kirkland Snider’s “Something for the Dark.” The genre-bending trio Time For Three joins for Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto, and the program finishes with Rachmaninoff ’s “Symphony No. 2 in E Minor.” Tickets: $20-$81. 7:30 p.m.

402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

M-PACT

Feb. 11 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. M-pact is respected worldwide

as a cutting-edge trailblazer in the realm of vocal music. Tickets: $30. 7:30 p.m. 402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

MARC E. BASSY-NOTHING IN THIS WORLD TOUR

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE ORCHESTRA WORLD TOUR

made a name for himself with his gold-certified “Morning” and the double-platinum single “You & Me” featuring G-Eazy. Tickets: $22.50-$122.50.

8 p.m. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

arrangements based on composer Nobuo Uematsu’s beloved Final Fantasy VII music. The concert is led by Grammy Award-winning conductor Arnie Roth. Tickets: $40-$85. 7:30 p.m. 402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

Feb 11 at The Slowdown, 729 S. 14th St. Bassy has

R&B LOVE FEST

Feb 12 at Baxter Arena, 2425 S. 67th St. This con-

cert features the classic sounds of Jon B., Sisquo w/Dru Hill, Jagged Edge, and Ginuwine. Tickets $29-$109. 7 p.m. 402.554.6200.

—baxterarena.com

OBITUARY AND MUNICIPAL WASTETHE DECIBEL MAGAZINE TOUR

Feb. 12 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Deci-

bel’s decade-long tour returns with a co-headlining bill starring Tampa death metal legends Obituary and Richmond, along with thrash metal heroes Municipal Waste. Tickets $27 ADV, $30 DOS. 6 p.m. 402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

SLEIGH BELLS

Feb. 13 at The Slowdown, 729 S. 14th St. This

American musical duo is known for their overdriven style of noise pop, incorporating elements of pop, hip-hop, metal, and punk. Tickets: $30 ADV, $35 DOS. 8 p.m. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

SLENDERBODIES PLASTIC PARTS TOUR

Feb. 14 at The Slowdown, 729 S. 14th St. Indie

electronic duo Slenderbodies fuse supple beats and dreamy guitar work with hushed R&B vocals. Tickets: $20-$22. 8 p.m. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

OMAHA SYMPHONY-MUSIC OF FLEETWOOD MAC

Feb 19 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Fleetwood Mac tribute band Landslide

and the Omaha Symphony will perform “Go Your Own Way,” “Gypsy,” and more. Tickets: $20-$89.

7:30 p.m. 402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

TALSOUNDS

Feb. 25 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Experience all-new symphonic

CRASH TEST DUMMIES

Feb. 25 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St.

Celebrating their 30th anniversary tour, original members Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts, and Mitch Dorge will be joined onstage by Stuart Cameron and Marc Arnould. Tickets:$35. 8 p.m.

402.884.5353.

—waitingroomlounge.com

ARTURO AND THE AFROLATIN JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Feb. 26 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Arturo O’Farrill has expanded

the definition of Afro-Latin music. The pianist, composer, and educator, along with his band, are world-class jazz musicians. Tickets: $22-$50. 7:30 p.m. 402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

» Performing Arts « WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME

Jan. 20 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Playwright Heidi Schreck’s boundary-breaking play breathes new life into the Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans. Tickets: $35 - $65. 7:30 p.m.

402.345.0606.

—o-pa.org

BRIGHT STAR

Jan. 21 through Feb. 13 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Written by Steve Martin

and Edie Brickell and inspired by real events, young teenager Alice Murphy is devastated when her infant son is ripped away. Tickets:$25-$45.

Wednesday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.

402.553.0800.

—omahaplayhouse.com

WELLRED COMEDY TOUR

American who adopted the TALsounds moniker in 2009 for her explorations in the drone, ambient, and improvisational disciplines. Admission: free. 8 p.m. 402.341.7130.

—bemiscenter.org

Jan 21-22 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Trae Crowder (The Liberal Redneck), Corey Ryan Forrester (The Buttercream Dream), and Drew Morgan (The Ginger Ninjer) celebrate maintaining sanity (or not) Tickets: $30 GA, $50 meet and greet. 7 p.m. 402.884.5353 —waitingroomlounge.com

DAVID ARCHULETA OK, ALL RIGHT TOUR 2022

FLIP FABRIQUE: SIX

Feb. 19 at Low End, Bemis Center, 724 S. 12th St. Natalie Chami is a Canadian-born Lebanese

Feb. 23 at The Slowdown, 729 S. 14th St. Archuleta

initially attracted fans in 2008 when his tenor vocals and boyish charm helped earn him a second-place finish on American Idol. Tickets: $25-$140. 8 p.m.

402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com

Jan. 29 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Flip Fabrique is a circus company based in Québec, Canada that combines astonishing feats, acrobatic comedy, and a mystery to engage audiences. Tickets: $20-$37. 7:30 p.m. 402.345.0606.

—o-pa.org

CARMELA FULL OF WISHES

Jan. 28-Feb. 13 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. Carmela, the daughter of migrants, wakes up on her birthday full of possibility. She must decide what her deepest wish is before her birthday is over. Tickets: $25. Times vary.

402.345.4849.

—rosetheater.org

TAYLOR TOMLINSON-DEAL WITH IT TOUR

Jan. 29 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Comedian Tomlinson roasts modern 20-something life with self-deprecating precision. Tickets:$29.75-$49.75. 7 p.m.

402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

DANCING WITH THE STARS: LIVE!

Feb. 1 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Dancing With the Stars–Live tour 2022 allows live audiences the opportunity to experience the excitement, glamour, and glitz seen every Monday night on TV. Tickets: $59.50-$69.50. 8 p.m.

402.345.0606.

—o-pa.org

PRIDE PLAYERS A ROSE TEENS ‘N’ THEATER PRODUCTION

Feb. 3-6 at The Rose Theater 2001 Farnam St. Pride Players, now in its 22nd year, uses improvisation to create songs, poetry, monologues, and skits that explore what it means to be a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or ally teen in Omaha. Tickets: $10 Times vary. 402.345.4849.

—rosetheater.org

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Feb. 8-13 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Rich with musical hits, including “Tradition,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” and more, Fiddler on the Roof is a heartwarming story. Tickets: TBA. Times: TBD. 402.345.0606.

—o-pa.org

OUTSIDE MULLINGAR

Feb. 11 - March 13 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Rosemary secretly fell in

love with Anthony at age 6, but after a bout with heartbreak, Anthony swore off women forever. The now middle-aged pair must overcome their own aloofness. Ticket prices vary. Friday - Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. 402.553.0800.

—omahaplayhouse.com

TODD BARRY 2021-2022 STADIUM TOUR

Feb. 12 at The Slowdown, 729 S. 14th St. Barry

has released three one-hour, stand-up specials, including his latest one for Netflix, Spicy Honey.

He is known for providing voices for the animated series Bob’s Burgers, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and more. Tickets: $25 advanced, $30 day of show, $35 reserved. 8 p.m. 402.345.7569.

—the slowdown.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 11 //

OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEARSRAE WYNN-GRANT

Feb. 15 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Wynn-Grant has dedicated

her life to ecological research and conservation with National Geographic Society’s Last Wild Places Initiative. Tickets: $15-$32. 7:30 p.m.

402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

WHITNEY CUMMINGS: TOUCH ME TOUR

Feb. 18 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Best known for creating and

starring in the NBC series Whitney, Cummings is also the executive producer, co-creator, and co-writer of the Emmy-nominated series 2 Broke Girls. Tickets: $39.50-$69.50. 7:30 p.m.

402.345.0202.

—o-pa-org

SWEENEY TODD

Feb. 25-27 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

This dark, Tony Award-winner for best musical by Stephen Sondheim has thrilled opera audiences across the nation. Tickets: $19-$99. 402.345.0606.

—o-pa.org

» Family & More « ICE SKATING

Ice skating can be one of the best ways to enjoy the season. The metro area offers indoor and outdoor options with venues that range from downtown excitement to natural charm.

Grover Ice 6171 Grover St. Admission: $5 children (12 and under), $7 adults (13-55), $6 seniors (56+) Skate rental: $3 Monday-Friday 1-3 p.m., Friday 6-7:30 p.m., Saturday 12:45-2:15 p.m., Sunday 2-3:30 p.m. 402.991.7982.

—groverice.com

Mahoney State Park 28500 West Park Highway, Ashland. $2 adults age 13 and older, $3 children ages 3 -12, children 2 and under free. Ice skate rental $3. Monday, Thursday & Friday 4 p.m.–8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday. 402.944.2523 —outdoornebraska.gov/mahoney

Motto McLean Ice Arena 5015 S. 45th St. $5 ages 6 and older, 5 and under free with a paid adult. Skate rental: $2.

402-444-4955 —parks.cityofomaha.org/motto-mclean

Moylan Iceplex 12550 West Maple Road. Adults: $9 for admission and skates, $7 kids 12 and under. Times vary.

402.431.0335.

—moylaniceplex.com

// 12 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

UNMC Ice Rink Through Jan. 30 at 42nd and Emile streets. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission: $7 Skate rental: Included in admission.

402.559.0697 —unmc.edu

Dates and times may change due to seasonal events, maintenance, or other reasons. Check websites and/or call ahead before heading out.

THE OMAHA HOME AND GARDEN EXPO

THE GREAT REUBEN DEBATE

Feb. 18-20 at Mid-America Center, One Arena Way, Council Bluffs. With five public perfor-

January 14-31 at Blackstone District, 36th and Farnam St. Vote for the best reuben in Blackstone.

Participants can taste and vote for their favorite version of rueben, from a traditional sandwich to tacos. A portion of all proceeds goes to The Women’s Center for Advancement. Times and prices vary.

—blackstonedistrict.com

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

Jan. 17 at at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. The Durham Museum will offer free admission

for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Visitors will be able to learn about their community, participate in a community art project at The Platform, and view the temporary exhibition on Billie Holiday.

Admission: free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 402.444.5071.

—durhammuseum.org 2020

Feb. 10-13 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. The 56th Annual Omaha Home & Garden

Expo features items and ideas for inside and outside the home, with a focus on eco-friendly ideas.

Show hours: Thursday 5-9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-7p.m., Sunday 11a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets: $9 adults, $4.50 ages 5-12, free for children under 5. 402.341.1500.

—showofficeonline.com

TANGIER SHRINE CIRCUS

mances, audiences can enjoy favorites from comical clowns and kooky Keystone Kops to high-flying acrobats and aerialists, as well as amazing animals. Tickets: $15-$25. Times vary. 712.323.0536 —caesars.com/mid-america-center

16TH ANNUAL OMAHA ENTERTAINMENT AND ARTS AWARDS

Feb. 20 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. The

metro celebrates some of the most talented artists and entertainers in the Omaha area at this annual event. The OEAA offers a memorable evening that thanks the artists who keep Omaha culture alive.

This year’s event will be a hybrid virtual/in-person awards show. Times and tickets TBD. 402.345.7569.

—oea-awards.org

A SYMPHONY OF SPORTS

BLACKSTONE CHILI COOK-OFF

the globe. Tickets: $15. 2 p.m. 402.334.6426.

—jccomaha.org

chili battle in this annual community fundraiser.

Restaurants, bars, and businesses compete for votes to determine the best chili in Blackstone.

12:30-3:30 p.m. 402.810.9500.

—blackstonedistrict.com

Jan. 20 at Jewish Community Center, 333 S. 132 St. Explore music inspired by sports played around

WEEKEND AT ARRENDALE

Jan. 21-23 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S, 20th St. Families can enjoy a themed weekend

Feb. 20 at The Cottonwood Hotel, 302 S. 36th St. The Blackstone District will be holding a

featuring character visits and activities inspired by Frozen. Admission: Members and under 2 years free. Kids 2-15 and Adults $14, Seniors 60+ $13.

Friday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

—ocm.org

36TH ANNUAL CATHEDRAL FLOWER FESTIVAL

Jan. 28-30 at St. Cecelia’s Cathedral, 701 N. 40th St. Forty of Omaha’s finest floral designers

Event times and details are correct as of presstime,

FOURTH ANNUAL TATTOO ARTS CONVENTION

but are subject to change. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many events are canceling and/or changing dates/time/ places as needed. Most venues base these decisions on direction by the Douglas County Health Department and Nebraska’s publication of guidance on canceling events and limiting the number of people in public gatherings.

join the Cathedral Flower Guild in this celebration of the coming spring season. Times TBD. Admission: free. 402.551.2313.

—cathedralartsproject.org

Jan. 28-30 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. This event will feature the best local, national,

and international artists along with tattoo contests, sideshows, and vendors. Tickets: $20 day or $40 for a three-day pass. Children under 12: free.

Friday 2-11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 215.423.4780.

—villainarts.com

Omaha Magazine encourages readers to visit venues' websites and/or calling ahead before attending an event or visiting a museum.

“That was the whole reason I started this group,” he said. “Because I realized there’s all this talent all over, and if we could pull together we could create something bigger than we could alone,” he said. “The concept has always been synergy.”

He is currently the premier fire performance instructor in the Midwest, and has taught classes and performed in Costa Rica as well as performing in Las Vegas, the Bahamas, and Cabo San Lucas.

Now the 44-year-old runs the largest performance group of this size and caliber in the area. Hill said that he never thought he would be an entrepreneur.

He pulled the performers together in 2012, starting as Flowtricks Entertainment and changing the name to Omaha Circus Arts in 2019. Besides the traditional circus-style performances, Hill has incorporated technology into the performances, specifically with state-ofthe-art-LEDs and projection mapping.

“There’s nothing quite like this around here,” Hill said.

Others in the community agree.

SPONSORED PROFILE PROFILE //// STORY STORY BY

BY TARA TARA SPENCER SPENCER //// PHOTOGRAPH PHOTOGRAPH BY

BY KATIE KATIE ANDERSON ANDERSON SPONSORED

Artful Synergy

KEN HILL PUSHES THE BOUNDARIES

O

Omaha Circus Arts owner and founder Ken Hill can’t sit still.

The former IT tech helped people fix their computer issues over the phone while multitasking on his true passion. “I was composing music with an earbud in my right ear,” he said..

Though he had studied music composition at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, that wasn’t where he found financial success as an artist. But it did lead him there.

When he traveled to San Francisco to do a show, the organizers included fire acts to accompany the budding musician. Hill was hooked. “I fell in love with it,” he said.

Hill grew up practicing martial arts and was an instructor of a blend of kickboxing, kali, and ninjitsu prior to trying his hand at fire

performance. “It has the technical foundations of my martial arts training, but rewritten by the creativity of my musical and songwriting skills.”

A local burlesque group helped teach him the basics of fire performance, but Hill said it wasn’t the style he wanted. “In my mind, I envisioned bigger stages and productions, sharing this art to the mainstream audience.”

Then circus acts started gaining popularity on YouTube, and Hill noticed more performers appearing locally.

“Originally, I thought I’d be a solo artist my whole life,” he said. “I never felt comfortable managing and owning and running things. I thought that was something that was outside my skill set.”

“K EN IS A PIONEER IN T TH H EE E N T E R TA I N M E N T I N DU S T RY, E R Y, CO ON C N S TA N T LY PU S H I N G T H E BOU N DA R I E S OF POS SIBI SI BIL IT I T YY AND IMAGINATION,” SAID JESSE JESSE SWANSON OF CHAOS PRODUCTIONS. SWANSON PRODUCTIONS. “His kind heart and constant drive are an inspiration to all those around him. His talent is a valuable asset to the Omaha community.”

Hill puts everything back into the company— time, money, energy, and passion—as his end goal is for the artists to be able to perform full time.

He thinks this is very much an achievable goal.

“We made it through the most challenging growing pains,” Hill said. “These next five to 10 years, I only see exponential expansion.”” OCA For more information, visit omahacircusarts.com

But when he noticed many talented performance artists struggling to find work, he wanted to help.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 13 //

A s i x rai e l A

American Idol Role Model Is

al

A+C Music · story by Tara Spencer photography By Bill Sitzmann design by Derek Joy

re

to

o l th at & M // 14 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

“Music was healing for me. That’s why I want to give [it] to others. That’s something I couldn’t talk about a couple years ago.”

Alexis Arai

16

Alexis Arai has a voice that can easily fi ll a small jazz club or get people up on their feet at a large outdoor festival. She can sing country, pop, and likely any other genre that grabs her interest—and she plays several instruments.

Th at range in talent was no doubt part of the reason the American Idol judges sent her to Hollywood to compete in the 2021 season. She also auditioned for The Voice and appeared on Mexican reality TV show Tengo Talento. Arai said she appreciates what she learned from these experiences, but admitted that parts were disappointing.

“American Idol, I feel...is all about the story.

They could [not] care less about your voice, your talents, they just want the story,” she said. “Back then I wasn’t ready to share mine, and my story isn’t here for people to feel sorry for me. It’s to motivate people.”

Arai, a woman who hears melodies in her dreams and loves to dance, wants her music to be about making people happy; and, hopefully, making them dance. “When you’re dancing, your stress goes away, you’re dancing the negativity away,” she said.

While Arai isn’t ready to share her full story, she disclosed that it involved a sexual assault and deep depression. “Music was healing for me. Th at’s why I want to give [it] to others,” she said. “Th at’s something I couldn’t talk about a couple years ago.”

She credits music and her faith with helping her get through other hard times in life as well. “I grew up with ADHD. Back then, it was...severe, so it was really hard for me to learn in school.” She said music was the best way for her to communicate.

Her experience with the disorder led to her volunteering to work with other children with disabilities, and fed her interest in the Montessori method of education, in which she is certified.

Arai married realtor Mauricio Hernandez in October 2021. Hernandez plays in the mariachi group Mariachi Rey Azteca. Arai said one of the couple’s long-term goals is to open a Montessori school for other children who might not thrive in a traditional school setting.

“I want to be a Latin role model that people can come up to and talk to if they have a problem or need help.”

Alexis Arai “It’s something special in my heart.

I feel like we need to be here to help everyone.” Her work with the Department of Health and Human Services reflects that goal. Arai described the work as helping those with disabilities reach their goals, whether that’s learning how to read or how to cook their own meals.

Besides her work with DHHS, the energetic 26-year-old plays violin with a Christian music group and performs with a mariachi band. She also wrote four of her own wedding songs, including the one that played during her father-daughter dance.

After trying her hand at pop and other genres, Arai’s focus now is on the music that calls to her. “Latin music is in my blood,” she said. “I’m really enjoying what I’m doing now.

I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

Her success isn’t surprising to anyone who knows her. Arai’s cousin and fellow musician Salvador Robles said she has always stood out. Robles and his sister, Gabi, played in a mariachi group with Arai when they were younger. “She was one of those children whose talent was way above and beyond her years,” he said.

For Robles, the mariachi experience was eye-opening because the learning is done by ear rather than by reading music, not something the young violinist was used to. “Gabi and Alexis... they excelled at it. It took me a little bit longer to learn.”

He did learn, though, and has played alongside his cousin’s husband in Mariachi Rey Azteca, as well as playing alongside his cousin again when she asks.

Robles has recruited Hernandez for family gigs as well. “I told him recently, ‘Now that you’re married, you have to come play, because it’s just a cousin thing.’ So he’s a new musician added to the family.”

Hernandez’s transition to being part of that family officially began when he proposed to Arai during an Alexis Arai y Su Grupo Latino performance at The Jewell. Owner Brian McKenna said that while he wasn’t in town at the time, his staff sent him a video of the proposal.

“Naturally, I was super happy for them, and also kind of proud that he chose The Jewell,” McKenna said.

“It was so beautiful to witness, even watching the video.”

Like Robles, McKenna believes Arai is a natural performer. “She has the ‘Artist Factor,’ he wrote in an email, “meaning everything about her as an artist is fully developed, from being a great singer, a great songwriter, [and] a professional leader.” He added that she also has charisma, charm, kindness, beauty, and a connectivity with the audience. When he tells people to come see her perform and they do, they always come up afterward to tell him what an amazing time they had.

They are instant fans.

There are some who aren’t even aware there is a Latin music scene in Omaha. However, Arai believes knowledge of the community is growing, and she wants to be a part of it. “I just want people to know who I am, you know, who I truly am,” she said. “I want to be a Latin role model that people can come up to and talk to if they have a problem or need help.”

“Sometimes people here in Omaha tend to put us—musicians who come from a Mexican background or musicians who have performed Mexican music here—they tend to put us in a box,” Robles said. “We’re so much more than that...Alexis is so much more than that.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 17 //

A+C THEATER

ampiric Walter Shatley

Rabbits,

Finds Homaha

Actor Walter Shatley was performing at The Rose Theater in the role of Prince Charming in spring 2006 while his fi ancee Samantha Butler played the title role of Cinderella. The Associated Press wrote an article about the couple that was picked up by news outlets from Taiwan to Columbus, Nebraska.

Before the fairy tale, started, however, Walter had no idea he was going to live in Omaha or that he would get married here. He was born and raised in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners fan started acting in eighth grade when he performed John Travolta’s role in an assembly production of Staying Alive.

Walter said eighth grade was “a poignant year.”

Like many adolescents, it was a time when he was discovering his passions.

It ignited his love of acting, and Walter took his fi rst acting class as a freshman at Norman High School. His passion led him to the University of Oklahoma school of drama, from which he graduated in 2000 with a BFA in drama. One year later, he was acting in Philadelphia with a company called American // 18 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Family Theater. By 2002, Walter had moved to Los Angeles, where he played in Pinnocchio and worked “a series of crappy jobs to pay the bills.”

Walter’s fun-loving character. Walter kissed her hand by way of chivalric greeting. “I’m pretty sure he had me from that point.”

It was a vampiric rabbit, however, that brought Walter to Omaha and the love of his life. In 2005, he joined The Rose Theater’s touring production of Bunnicula as the character Pete Monroe, replacing actor Andrew McGreevy for the California-WashingtonMaine-Florida run. He also acted as puppeteer for about half of the scenes in which the titular bunny was used.

Samantha was already in the area, having fi rst been cast in Miss Nelson is Missing. Several months later, he returned to The Rose during a tour break, and ran into his friend Cat Nelson.

Walter and Samantha, who were married in July 2007, lived in New York City for the fi rst three years of their marriage.

The couple remained in theater, working on lighting and carpentry crews.

Samantha performed off-Broadway, but the couple realized (as time progressed) the Big Apple might not offer the ideal life for a young family.

As it happened, Samantha, also a friend of Nelson, came to see her as well. Samantha was at that time rehearsing for Th e Berenstain Bears Onstage and simultaneously performing in Junie B. Jones.

“I had heard Walter stories, but I came out to see Cat and give her a big hug,” Samantha said, referring to the many local anecdotes about

Th at’s when Rose Theater artistic director James Larson offered Samantha a role as Peter in Peter Pan. Walter, then 33, was cast as a Lost Boy. He showed up to rehearsals the fi rst day sporting a beard. He learned one dance for the role…and at the end of the day was re-cast as a pirate.

They had been thinking about moving to Samantha’s hometown of Memphis, or Norman, or possibly moving back to Omaha. Th is casting call sealed the deal.

The couple performed together for two years.

Then Samantha found work at U.S. Bank to afford the couple health

insurance in anticipation of having a family while Walter continued in theater.

Walter, knowing that working in theater is not conducive to raising a baby, began connecting through the local fi lm community. One of his fi rst connections was writer and director Faustus McGreeves, who had created the short fi lm Bent Over Neal.

Walter was cast as Liam, and working on the fi lm enabled Walter to connect with several actors and behind-the-scenes folks; folks who he and Samantha now consider friends. Those connections paved the way for other fi lm projects.

Walter acted in the local short fi lm Ambush Avenue

by Brian Roma, which was shown in the Omaha Film Festival 2015. Th at same year at OFF, he met writer/director Trevor Nealy and gained acting spots on his web series The Boulevard. He also later met writer/director Todd Graves through fi lm festival connections.

Last year, Graves asked Walter to audition for a fi lm he wrote titled Buzz vs. Scooty, a comedy about two elderly boxers who come together for one last fight.

STORY BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN • PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN • DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

Pira tes, & BOXERS

“The people in Omaha in acting have chosen a life that is better.

That doesn’t mean the quality of the acting is not just as good.”

Walter Shatley

In fact, she and Walter are the fi rst to say that sometimes, the acting is better.

“My friend was running the spotlight [for] Troilus and Cressida, so I saw it for free,” Walter said. “The neighbor from Home Improvement (Earl John Hindman) was in it but outside of Hindman, the performances were not good.”

Walter now works at a bank. Samantha, meanwhile, has left the banking world, but continues to perform in local stage productions such as those at Bellevue Little Theater and Chanticleer Theater.

New York might be the pinnacle of many actors’ careers, but for Walter and Samantha, Omaha fits the playbill.

“I tell people in New York about the talent in Omaha, and they are astounded,” Samantha said.

“The people in Omaha in acting have chosen a life that is better,” Walter continued. “Th at doesn’t mean the quality of the acting is not just as good.”

Walter recently returned to New York for the Crown Heights Film Festival in which Buzz vs. Scooty was showing, and the visit reassured him that Omaha is the right place.

“I was reminded how much it sucks to rely on mass transit,” Walter said. “How much time it takes. Here I can ride my motorcycle and get places in far less time.”

“I don’t paint with much realism in mind.

I mean, if a cow needs to have green on it, I can put green on it.”

Bob Mathews

// 20 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

A+C VISUAL

STORY BY TARA SPENCER // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

RT CON nECtiONS A TR ANSITIONING FROM ACUTE C ARE TO CUTE ANIMAL S Artists don’t need a good bedside manner, but Bob Mathews’ voice is steady, warm, and calming, immediately putting the listener at ease — a trait that was no doubt useful in his former line of work.

He got two weeks in and decided it wasn’t for him. “Th is was during the Vietnam War,” he said. “And so, I enlisted.” Mathews was assigned to a Naval air base stateside, where he trained as an electronics technician.

“The ER can be 15 minutes of boredom, and then 10 minutes of just fear and chaos,” he said. “You never know what’s on your doorstep...A lot of those people need a doctor right away, and I kind of enjoyed being in the middle of that. It was a good fit for me.”

Mathews said the service “straightened him out.” It also made him realize he could do anything he wanted, so he followed in the footsteps of one of his uncles and went into medicine.

Mathews retired from ER medicine in 2017, but he’s not done working. His focus has switched from practicing acute care to painting cute animals using his own unique color schemes.

“I don’t paint with much realism in mind,” Mathews said. “I mean, if a cow needs to have green on it, I can put green on it.”

His artwork isn’t limited to animals, though. A look at his Instagram account shows vivid paintings of people and animals, as well as a few sculptures he’s created using items he found in an architectural salvage yard. But painting is his calling for now, one that he developed later in life after taking an overview course of the arts at Hibbing Community College in Minnesota.

“We painted, we drew, we did some things in silver—we worked with all kinds of different media, [it] was really, really fun,” he said.

Mathews met one of his biggest supporters, fellow artist Robert “Bob” Hocking, while living in Hibbing. He said Hocking consistently encouraged him. “He was such a positive individual in so many different ways,” Mathews added. “So I thought, ‘what the heck?’”

In high school, Mathews took drafting classes and said he enjoyed them.

But his guidance counselor pushed him toward a vocational school.

That wasn’t his only foray into military life, though. “The second time was after med school,” he said. “Th is time I enlisted in a reserve Army unit (325th General Hospital).” He reached the rank of major during his service. “So, I’ve experienced the military as an enlisted man and an officer. Believe me, being an officer is the way to go!”

The ER doctor later found painting as a creative outlet. “I was sort of a weekend painter, you know, when time would allow, I’d work on something,” he said.

“Now that I’m retired, I can work as hard as I’d like on it.”

In 2015, he published a book of paintings titled Imaginary Friends 2013-2015. The collection of portraits features imaginary people “with a link to the fringe.”

However, they were influenced by real people, several of whom he encountered in his role as an emergency physician.

Mathews’ work has been in nearly 60 group shows and he has had seven solo exhibits. He said his first one was around seven years ago. “It was an amazing feeling. I mean, I got an email that I had been accepted and, you know, I jumped up and down like, like a little kid...it was so exciting.”

One gallery he’s shown in is the Open Gallery in Vincennes, Indiana, where he met owners Michael and Kimberly Mullen. Michael wrote in an email that there was something about Mathews’ work, and his cover letter, that produced a strong response from the former English professor. “He was just getting started in his art career and I thought his work was interesting and felt he had great potential.”

Michael and Mathews have met in person only a handful of times, but they correspond regularly through “snail mail.” Michael said Mathews is thoughtful and caring, qualities one hopes to find in a doctor, adding, “Bob has compassion that I have not seen in enough of the health care professionals I have encountered over the years.”

In Mathews’ artwork, that compassion leads to intriguing glimpses into the lives of animals and humans alike. “There’s an energy level that spills over to my paintings from the ER,” Mathews said. “Bold colors, black lines, etc.”

His art made a strong impression on another audience when a painting his daughter posted on a website led to his first commissions. He received several emails from group members asking if he would paint their pets. Mathews met with them virtually, and would have them send eight or 10 photos of their pets from different angles, with several closeups of their faces. Then he would send progress photos.

“I met the most interesting people from coast to coast,” he said.

Mathews has also shown his work on both coasts, from California to New York, though he said he has no aspirations of “being in a big New York City gallery anymore.”

“It would have been nice once, but that’s not gonna happen,” he said. “I know that. But if I could meet some more people [through] doing commissions...and have that kind of back and forth with them— that’s just so much fun.”

Visit bobmathewsart.com for more information.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 21 //

22

A+C POETRY // STORY BY TARA SPENCER // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

N

What To Be, What Not To Be RYAN BOYLAND WANTS TO BE IT ALL

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

// 23 //

Ryan Boyland noted that while there are doctors who are writers, and writers who are doctors, they are typically only known for being good at one.

“I want to be good at both,” said the 25-year-old UNMC student.

Boyland didn’t plan on being a writer.

While attending Bellevue East High School, he was most interested in math, science, and sports. While he quickly added that he was not good at the latter, he excelled at the fi rst two, earning him the title of valedictorian when he graduated.

It wasn’t until he started at Harvard University that his interest in the artistic world was piqued. He had seen various spoken word artists performing online before, but Canadian poet Shane Koyczan made the deepest impression.

Boyland said the piece he saw, “To Th is Day,” wasn’t meant for slam poetry, or for the page. “He combined music and poetry and visual art to tell a story.”

A video of Koyczan performing the piece for a TED Talk makes the appeal clear. The poet discusses how society wants people to defi ne themselves at an early age. Th is is something that Boyland is fi guring out.

His concentration was in neurobiology with a minor in astrophysics.

He also studied German and was in a boxing club, which inadvertently ended up feeding his interest in performing poetry.

At a college activities fair, Boyland was trying to recruit members for the boxing club when he ran into a friend who encouraged him to attend a meeting of the Kuumba Singers of Harvard.

He was resistant. “I’m like, I don’t sing. Absolutely not. And they said, ‘OK, one, there’s free pizza…’ And I was like, all right, you should have led with that.”

Th is exchange led to Boyland eventually becoming president of the group, though he maintains that he is not a good singer. His primary role was performing dramatic readings, poetry, or monologues in between songs, connecting them to create one cohesive production. // 24 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

However, Boyland largely honed his spoken word skills at open mics. His fi rst performance of this type was for an event on campus honoring Black women. Despite having given speeches and presentations before, this was different.

“I was shaking like a leaf,” he said. “I was wearing a suit that was probably two sizes too big...and I had no idea how to deliver a poem or really even how to write at that point in time.”

Despite his insistence that the poem was “terrible,” he remembered looking up from the sheet of paper to see the crowd slowly rising in a standing ovation.

“I promptly went out into the hallway and collapsed,” he said. “I didn’t pass out, but out of all the things I’ve done, the places I’ve been, experiences I’ve had, I’ve never had that level of adrenaline rush before.”

Growing up as an Air Force kid, he had been to a lot of places, from Florida to Colorado to Germany.

Boyland now lives in Bellevue while attending UNMC, where he is currently in his third year, or phase two.

While performing on a stage in front of a crowd is daunting, medical school has its own set of challenges.

Boyland recalled one instance where a person came in for a routine procedure that took a turn for the worse.

As he was asking a family member questions about the patient to determine treatment options, they broke down. “It felt terrible that I was the person who is sharing this time with this family member while their loved one is very near death,” he said. “It’s a strange position to be put in…As a med student, being in those spaces, in a lot of ways you’re expected to be there learning, but from the perspective of the patient, you are providing patient care.”

Boyland sees the medical profession as being twofold: “I think there’s the laughing and the joking and people are kind of happy that they’re providing care...And then there’s the darker aspect of it.”

To deal with that, some medical professionals fi nd an outlet in writing, such as the Seven Doctors Project, or a more informal Friday writing class Boyland attends when he has time. He also continues to perform when he can, often at The Down Under Lounge open mics with Aly Peeler, who considers Boyland to be “phenomenal” and one of her favorite poets.

Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason, who worked with Boyland through Nebraska Writers Collective, also had high praise for the young writer.

Mason wrote in an email that Boyland is “an impressive and dedicated writer.”

“He’s the type of person who came to almost every reading, attended any writing workshops, and was clearly interested just in being a better writer,” Mason said, adding that this made him a natural choice to recruit as a teaching artist, working as a coach for the Louder Th an a Bomb: Great Plains program at Central High School.

While time constraints didn’t allow Boyland to continue, Mason said he has been a great help on smaller projects, “including work in correctional facilities and as a substitute coach at schools.”

Boyland writes and performs whenever he can. He’s also working on a book of quotes from his fellow classmates that highlight the humorous side of medicine, though he said the darkness still shows itself in some of the thoughts.

“Part of what I’ve heard from other physicians is that the opportunity to reflect on what you’ve seen needs to happen,” he said. His ability and skill at looking inward and expressing himself may be what helps Boyland excel in both his writing and medical careers.

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// 25 //

Mary Franck’s Destinations Transform Her Life ADVENTURE // STORY BY LISA LUKECART // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

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tsunami hit Mary Franck’s life. Her mother died. She lost her job. Her husband left her.

“I haven’t loved you for 25 years,” he said of their 27-year marriage.

All of it swept away in nine devastating months of 1998.

A newspaper ad for a summer job at Yellowstone National Park changed the flow of her life. The six-month gig with Xanterra Travel Collection seemed like it could be a healing adventure. She had nothing more to lose, especially since her children were grown.

6.1 million acres of vast wilderness and plentiful wildlife. The shadow of North America’s highest snowy peak, Denali, loomed over visitors as they hopped on a bus to head into the secluded park. But if one travels further down the stretch, wild animals ranging from bear to moose to wolves roam free.

It took a few days before Franck adjusted to the long hours of sunlight.

Room and board cost $15 a day. She took down reservations at the bus and train depots, working 10-hour days four times a week at $20 an hour. It gave her three days to explore, kayak, or bike. Franck would throw on a long sleeve shirt and long pants to hike, since mosquitos are plentiful. The redheaded explorer even ventured up Mount Healy, an eight-mile journey up and back.

When Franck arrived, the landscape reflected her soul. The fires of 1988, 42 of which were caused by lightning, left approximately 1/3 of the lush 1.2 million acres scorched. Blackened scars remained 10 years later. Fire, however, regenerates and rejuvenates. Pine cones, shattered open, exploded seeds from their shells. Lodgepole trees sprouted out of the ashes. Green bentgrass burst out of pockets and cracks near geyser basins. Yellow wildflowers shot up from the gloom.

“I thought I was going to die,” she said. “But once at the top, it was breathtaking.”

She felt cracked open by her grief, but the revitalized environment made her feel hope.

“I thought it was incredible. She’s a very genuine character to be around,” Denali’s reservation supervisor Chris Sloan, 27, said.

“I knew this [was] where I was supposed to be,” Franck, then 44, recalled.

The work doesn’t come without its pitfalls. The wilds of Denali can create an isolated experience.

Franck, clean and sober from alcohol and drugs since 1984, didn’t relapse.

She credits the experience at Yellowstone for pushing her through a difficult year. She kept busy working at Old Faithful Snow Lodge as a waitress, making “grocery sacks full of money.” Employees lived a dorm-style life and ate three meals a day in the dining room.

Franck never let her age stop her. She practiced yoga, walked a sled dog, and talked to campers.

“Being alone is bittersweet. It’s beautiful, but sometimes you want your family and friends to share it with you,” Franck said.

When she returned to Nebraska, Franck worked supplies with the Omaha Police Department. But the call of the wilderness returned. In summer 2006, she returned to manage Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone.

She never felt scared except on the Cassiar Highway through Canada on her way back. “The Highway of Tears” has been dubbed the most dangerous stretch due to the number of unsolved murders and disappearances of women. Franck didn’t see another vehicle or person for hours at a time and cell reception was spotty.

Franck recalled how her mother always wanted to travel to Alaska, and after talking to other workers about their travels, she knew it was next on her bucket list. But her father’s dementia worsened, so she stayed home to take care of him, which enabled her to spend time with her grandchildren.

“I think we shouldn’t put limits on us just because of our gender. There are more risks involved as a solo female than a solo male. I feel safer camping than in a big city,” said Alaina Anderson, Denali’s assistant manager of reservations.

After his death eight years later, Alaska beckoned. Franck submitted her resume to Aramark in 2019, eager to land a job with Denali National Park and Preserve. The 65-year-old woman set out on her journey, deciding this time she would attempt the 10-day drive from Omaha to Alaska. She camped along the way, sometimes in the middle of nowhere, pitching her red and white tent next to her Subaru Outback, with nothing but trees sheltering her. It allowed her to see the country: a dazzling drive through the Black Hills in South Dakota, sleeping under the stars at Glacier National Park in Montana, and glimpsing frozen Lake Louise in Canada.

She called Franck for advice when driving by herself from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where she worked that winter, to Denali for her summer session.

Soon, the spectacular view of Denali National Park loomed in the distance. One lonely gravel road, 92 miles long, leads in and out of the // 26 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

“You can make a life traveling around. I met people like Mary—the brightest person I ever met—[whom] I would never have had the opportunity to meet,” Anderson said.

Franck mentioned people shouldn’t dwell on the “what-ifs.” If Franck didn’t take a chance, she would never have seen the northern lights.

She plans to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail in Spain for her next venture.

“

Being alone is bittersweet.

It’s beautiful, but sometimes you want your family and friends to share it with you.”

-Mary Franck JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 27 //

FEATURE // STORY BY SUSAN MEYERS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JON PEARSON | COURTESY OF QLI // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

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C H A N G I N G T H E D E L I V E RY OF HEALTH CARE Better, faster, smarter, more efficient—most people want this in every aspect of their lives. Turns out, artificial intelligence is making it happen through facial recognition, Siri, Alexis, voice-to-text, security surveillance, online fraud protection, and sales.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

// 29 //

2022

FEATURE

T

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

oday, almost every industry is using AI to improve performance and make better business decisions. One of those industries is health care—and the impact is profound.

According to Michael Ash, M.D., executive vice president and chief transformation officer at Nebraska Medicine, AI is making big changes in how health care is delivered in a number of ways, including quality, safety and delivery of care, provider and patient satisfaction, costs, regulatory requirements, research, education, and security.

Artificial intelligence refers to the use of machines to carry out tasks in a way that mimics human learning and thinking. Machine learning is a part of AI that applies the simulation through the use of data to develop algorithms to help predict outcomes and/or find patterns and associations. Also referred to as “smart” systems, machines are programmed or automated to process data to achieve a specific task, such as predicting the risk of certain conditions or diseases. The more data they receive, the smarter and more accurate they become over time, growing their knowledge and capabilities so that they are essentially learning for themselves.

By adding a feedback loop, the machine can learn by being told whether its decisions are right or wrong, allowing it to adjust its methodology in the future.

Nebraska Medicine is realizing the critical role AI can play in improving quality and safety of care through the use of clinical decision support models and predictive modeling (using data to develop algorithms to help predict outcomes and/or find patterns and associations).

“

“With the use of clinical decision support, we can more effectively identify people at risk for sepsis and begin interventions sooner to prevent it or reduce its severity. This has allowed us to significantly lower our rate of sepsis mortality, propelling us to a ranking that puts us among the top 15% of academic medical centers in the country in terms of safety.”

Early determination of deterioration is another area the hospital is actively working to improve with the help of AI and predictive analytics. This entails identifying which hospitalized patients are at greatest risk for developing life-threatening incidents like arrhythmias, heart attack or pulmonary embolism. Armed with this information, providers can begin preventive interventions earlier to thwart such events.

“We’ve been working on it for several years,” Ash said. “Developing these types of predictive models can take years and years depending on the complexity of the condition. It’s a collaboration of data scientists, physicians, pharmacists, and analytic experts using data and algorithms to find patterns and gain insights so we can develop predictive models. These are then tested repeatedly for safety, accuracy, and making sure interventions are effective.”

Nebraska Medicine recently became one of the first hospitals in the country to adopt the voice recognition technology called Dragon Ambient Experience to transcribe doctors’ notes into electronic health records as they evaluate and visit with patients.

“This technology improves patient care, as it allows the doctor to focus on the patient, instead of a computer screen,” Ash said. “It

Over the past five years, the synergy of robotics and AI technologies combined with our clinical expertise is providing us more efficiencies and capabilities and is allowing people to regain function more quickly and restore quality of life.” -Megan Potter, P.T., DPT

“These tools are streamlining the clinical process by quickly getting large amounts of information to our providers at the point of decision-making so they can make more informed decisions,” Ash said.

“This is huge for doctors, who must constantly sift through large mounds of data when making health care decisions about a patient.”

He explained that one of the big challenges in health care is that, while at times a patient can have symptoms that are predictive of a disease, a lot of times patients have subtle changes that are difficult to detect. Artificial intelligence and predictive modeling can help detect those subtler changes and take proactive measures.

Case in point: sepsis. Nebraska Medicine has been using this tool to lower their sepsis rates—the number one cause of hospitalized deaths worldwide. And the results have been dramatic.

“Sepsis can be difficult to detect and a delay in therapy can be deadly,” Ash said.

also saves our doctors an enormous amount of time that they normally would have to spend entering and organizing their notes.

This system does it for them, parsing out what’s most clinically relevant. Eventually, the goal is that this technology will also be able to make suggestions for diagnosis and treatments and provide providers with the most cost-effective choices.”

In research, decision support models are helping providers identify and match patients with the most appropriate clinical trials, resulting in a 20% jump in clinical trial participation. In education, AI is helping professors develop smarter tests that do a better job of determining clinical competency in specific areas as well as the development of better teaching models and approaches to improve learning.

Cybersecurity is another area in which AI is making waves. “Instead of waiting for the cyberattack to happen, using predictive modeling, we can look at patterns of activity that might be suggestive of a virus or cyberattack and intercept it much earlier,” Ash said.

The use of AI to drive new and exciting rehabilitative technologies at Omaha’s QLI, an intensive inpatient rehabilitation center for catastrophic injuries, also has been a game changer.

// 30 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

“The rehabilitation process for someone who has sustained a catastrophic injury can take weeks to months to even years,” said Megan Potter, P.T., DBT, coordinator of Physical and Occupational Therapy at QLI. “Over the past five years, the synergy of robotics and AI technologies combined with our clinical expertise is providing us more efficiencies and capabilities, and is allowing people to regain function more quickly and restore quality of life.”

One of those technologies is the Eksobionics exoskeleton, a robotic-powered device designed to help individuals with lower-limb extremity paralysis or weakness due to spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or stroke. The device is worn like a backpack with an attached body suit and helps an individual relearn the physical movement patterns necessary to walk.

Artificial intelligence assists by providing predictive information about the person’s step length and step height once they begin walking and then determines how much support they need to maintain optimal gait mechanics. The exoskeleton technology is also helping those who have impairments that cause unpredictable and erratic movements by working to normalize it.

“These technologies have drastically changed the rehabilitation process,” Potter said.

“Repetition is the bedrock of getting someone back to independence. More repetitions result in better outcomes such as greater functional ability, and ultimately, independence. Before the exoskeleton and similar rehab technology, gait training was very laborious. It could take up to three therapists plus a body weight support system to hold a person up and help them take a step.

With the exoskeleton, the volume of steps we can achieve in gait training can be 500 to 1,000 steps per session compared to 30 steps without it. This allows us to get our patients back on their feet much sooner and is helping reduce length of stays.”

For patients with upper extremity impairments, QLI employs the ArmeoSpring, a sensor-based technology that provides support and resistance to promote motor relearning while also building strength.

The device allows patients to complete tasks utilizing a game on its computer screen to target movement in all planes.

It encourages movements that simulate everyday tasks like eating, brushing teeth, and putting on clothes, moving them closer toward independence. continued on pg. 65

| 32 |

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

FEATU R E STORY

scott stewart

PHOTOGRAPHY bill sitzmann

DESIGN

matt wieczorek

Four Children, Five Minutes

[

ONE TENACIOUS COUPLE

]

Life is scary sometimes.

Some moments define the direction a person takes in life, such as landing a dream job, saying “I do,” or learning of the loss of a loved one. Good or bad, change means uncertainty.

But sometimes those life-altering milestones aren’t contained to moments. The uncertainty can linger... and linger...and linger.

The birth of a child—or, in the case of Maria and Joseph Sawaged, four children in five minutes—is one of those moments. Facing the challenge of infertility, which the Sawageds did for five years, also preceded the joy, prompting a series of more difficult moments.

They stayed hopeful through 13 rounds of fertility treatments, unwavering in their commitment to grow their family, no matter how long it took.

Maria and Joseph first met at Metro Community College in 2009.

“I still remember she denied me the first time,” Joseph said. “I think it was the day after that she said I may as well take a chance on this guy.”

FE A TURE

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| FOUR CHILDREN, FIVE MINUTES

hey married in 2014, and both wanted children. Maria wanted to start trying sooner, but Joseph wanted to make sure they had a good financial foothold first.

“When we were thinking of getting ready, my first thoughts were ‘I didn’t know the expense of a baby,’” Joseph said.

He wanted debts paid off and to move into their forever home together.

About six years ago, Maria said he had a surgery—nothing too serious, but enough to question where they were in their lives.

Barrett Eli (3 pounds 11 ounces, 17 inches), born at 10:40 a.m.; and Tychus Cole (3 pounds 7 ounces, 16 ½ inches), born at 10:41 a.m.

The quadruplets spent time in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Barrett and Tychus went home May 23, followed by Julianna on June 2 and Luca on June 4—all prior to Maria’s due date of June 25.

“At that time, we decided we were going to start trying,” Maria said.

“We would have [gone] to any length to eventually get there,” Joseph said.

Methodist maternal-fetal medicine doctor Andrew Robertson specializes in high-risk pregnancies and worked with Maria nearly weekly during the early stages.

After a couple months, they started a simple fertility treatment. It didn’t work.

Eventually, they got there. After 12 unsuccessful rounds of treatments, they were told the intrauterine insemination finally worked, and the moment would soon come when they welcomed their first child into the world.

He said quadruplets only happen in about 1 in 10,000 naturally occurring pregnancies.

Assisted reproductive technology has made it more commonplace.

The Elkhorn couple knew going into fertility treatments that a multiple pregnancy was a distinct possibility. Maria is a twin herself, so it didn’t come as a huge surprise when they learned they were going to have more than one child.

Quadruplets average about 28 weeks of pregnancy, Robertson said. Maria made it a little past 32 weeks, avoiding complications associated with first-time pregnancies.

That would become a recurring theme for the Sawageds. They tried, and tried, and tried, working with a specialist who cautioned them that fertility treatments could eventually do more harm than good.

The treatments were also expensive. They would try for a month and then take a couple months off to relax and save up money.

“It was on and off for five years that we tried,” Maria said. “It just wasn’t working.

Joseph described feeling “just as bad as you can get.” Every time, it didn’t work. Every time, more disappointment, a little more doubt.

“You get really down,” Joseph said, not wanting to revisit the agony of those moments.

Still, he said they didn’t assign blame. They were told it was unexplained infertility, a frustrating diagnosis faced by up to a third of women seeking treatment for infertility, but one that still means pregnancy is possible.

“To this day, there’s no reason why,” Joseph said. “It’s just what our bodies were born with.

There is nothing that we did on purpose that had done this.”

They decided to seek out a new doctor with Methodist Health Systems to explore new options.

[ | 34 |

“I thought I was going to have triplets when I got pregnant,” Maria said. “I just didn’t expect four.”

Since Joseph couldn’t accompany Maria to the appointment due to COVID-19 restrictions, she recorded the conversation with the physician, who started out by saying “Don’t be alarmed.”

The catastrophizing began. What’s the worstcase scenario? Maria played it cool with her husband. Then the doctor’s recorded voice said: “There are four babies.”

“She beat the odds,” Robertson said, attributing that to her “determination and her ability to carry pregnancies.” He added: “We didn’t have to deliver her because she got sick, which is a very common reason we do have to deliver some women preterm.”

Robertson has been part of about 3,000 sets of multiples over almost three decades.

“It is very rewarding to see a successful outcome,” he said.

The quadruplets arrived on April 30, 2020, via cesarean section. They were the first set of quads at Methodist Women’s Hospital since 2017.

Now more than 1 year old, the quadruplets are starting to have their personalities shine through. Luca loves food and to watch everyone around him. Julianna is talkative and likes to be heard—and is willing to be loud. Barrett wants to be held all the time, and Tychus is pretty much always happy.

The Sawageds had three boys and one girl: Luca Samuel (3 pounds 11 ounces, 15 ¾ inches), born at 10:36 a.m.; Julianna Sophia (2 pounds 12 ounces, 15 ¾ inches), born at 10:38 a.m.;

Looking back, Joseph said he believes their initial delaying was a mistake, but he’s quick to point out that it worked out perfectly in the end.

Maria al s o sp en t a m on th i n the h o s p i t a l b ef ore the b ab ie s we r e d el i ver e d . “ Th er e are so me w o me n t h a t w oul d f i nd t hat v er y di f f i cul t or im pos sib le t o d o . Sh e w a sn ’ t doi ng any t hi ng ot her t han s i t t i ng ar ou nd a n d h e lp in g t h e se k i ds gr ow .” -D r. A n d re w R o b e r t s o n

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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E S TAT E P L A N N I N G | M E D I C A I D P L A N N I N G | B U S I N E S S L AW T R U S T A D M I N I S T R AT I O N & P R O B AT E

“There is nothing wrong with having to go through treatments. It is sad, and it is hard, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of to have to have help to get pregnant.”

ate Planning Est Em pl o

They both said that those facing infertility should seek professional assistance. “There is nothing wrong with having to go through treatments,” Maria said. “It is sad, and it is hard, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of to have to have help to get pregnant.”

In the end, “having a baby trumps all of the process that it takes,” Joseph said.

Of course, there is a financial cost, too.

Fertility treatments generally aren’t covered by insurance, and, in the U.S., they range from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars per round.

The Sawageds said they are blessed with well-paying jobs. They both work in sales at Nebraska Furniture Mart and can work from home—something they did before the coronavirus pandemic made it commonplace. That’s been a godsend since the babies arrived.

2022 First Place

s Than 100 Les Em p

es ye lo

-Maria Sawageds

rye

2022 First Place

HELPING FAMILIES PROTECT A LIFETIME OF WORK Protect your Family Protect your Assets Leave a Legacy Achieve Peace of Mind

WE CAN HELP.

Their doctor noted that some women simply cannot get pregnant or have a healthy pregnancy, and the Sawageds showed unusual persistence in the face of unexplained infertility.

OUR FIRM HAS ONE MISSION: Our mission is to help families design, share and preserve their family legacy for future generations, through careful legal planning and lifetime relationships.

“She went through a lot to get pregnant,” Robertson said. “She went through a lot more cycles than a lot of people would have.”

9859 S. 168th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68136 402.235.5625 | info@ldstrategies.com | www.ldstrategies.com

Maria also spent a month in the hospital before the babies were delivered. “There are some women that would find that very difficult or impossible to do,” Robertson said. “She wasn’t doing anything other than sitting around and helping these kids grow.”

Each one of those moments contributed to the joy the Sawageds now feel, and the many moments ahead for them and their family.

Visit bestcare.org for more information on Methodist Health System.

Want to know what’s happening in Omaha this weeknd?

Visit OmahaMagazine.com Click “Weekend E-Blast” & Subscribe!

INTRO BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN

D

octors help people with everything health-related, from recovering from addiction to repairing veins.

DataJoe Research has curated the following list of Premier Doctors to help Omaha Magazine readers find exactly the right general practitioner, pediatrician, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, and more.

Throughout the list, readers will see the terms “Legacy” and “Rising Star.” A doctor with the designation of Legacy has practiced for more than 30 years; a Rising Star has practiced for less than five years.

// 36 //

Summary. DataJoe Research is a software and research company specializing in data collection and verification, and conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers.

To create the “top doctors” list, DataJoe Research facilitated an online peer-voting process. DataJoe reached out to medical groups and individual doctors to facilitate participation. DataJoe also referenced other government and Internet sources to establish credibility/eligibility of doctors. DataJoe then tallied the results, to score doctors in each category. DataJoe confirmed that each winning candidate had a current, active license status with the state regulatory board. If we were not able to find evidence of a doctor's current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that doctor was excluded from the list. In addition, any doctor who has been disciplined, up to the time-frame of our review process for an infraction by the state regulatory board, was excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to the magazine for its final review and adjustments.

of the huge array of talented professionals within the region.

Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding doctors in the region and the results of our research campaign. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting, although we understand that the results of this survey nomination are not an objective metric. We certainly do not discount the fact that many, many good and effective doctors may not appear on the list.

Final note. We recognize that there are many good doctors who are not shown in this representative list. This is only a sampling

Questions? For research/methodology questions, contact the research team at surveys@datajoe.com.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Disclaimers. DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate.

DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.

Addiction Medicine KENNETH A. ZOUCHA

Addiction Treatment Clinic at Clarkson Doctors Building South 4239 Farnam St, Ste 701 Omaha, NE 68131 402-552-6007

Allergy Immunology G. DANIEL BROOKS

Asthma & Allergy Center

3503 Samson Way, Ste 108 Bellevue, NE 68123 402-592-2055

BRETT V. KETTELHUT

Allergy Asthma And Immunology PC

2808 S 80th Ave, Ste 210 Omaha, NE 68124 402-391-1800

Midwest Allergy And Asthma Clinic PC

Anesthesiology CHAD BAUERLY

Nebraska Methodist Health System 825 S 169th Street Omaha, NE 68118 402-354-4800

AMY B. BEETHE

Anesthesiology at Bennett Hall 4204 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4081

MARK R. BURT

Methodist Health System 825 S 169th St Omaha, NE 68118 402-354-4800

16945 Frances St Omaha, NE 68130-2312 402-397-7400

MONTE J. CHRISTO OrthoNebraska

2808 S 143rd Plz Omaha, NE 68144-5611 402-609-3000

EDWARD P. DROBNY

CHI Health Clinic Anesthesiology 6901 N 72nd St Omaha, NE 68122 402-717-4866

Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

4204 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4081

CHRISTIAN HORAZECK, MD

42nd & Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

7500 Mercy Rd, Ste 1355 Omaha, NE 68124 402-717-4866

Midwest Allergy And Asthma Clinic PC 16945 Frances St Omaha, NE 68130-2312 402-397-7400

7500 Mercy Rd, Ste 424 Omaha, NE 68124-2319 402-398-6176

JOHN L. LINDSEY III

Methodist Hospital 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-4061

4204 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4081

NICHOLAS W. MARKIN University Of Nebraska Medical Center

1609 S 212th Cir Elkhorn, NE 68022-2229 402-321-4018

Anesthesiology at Bennett Hall 4204 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4081

JEAN A. SIMONSON Anesthesiology at Bennett Hall 4204 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4081

JOSHUA L. SMITH

Methodist Hospital 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-4800

JOSEPH KENNETH TIOJANCO

Anesthesia West PC 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-391-4855

THUC H. TRAN, MD

CHI Health Clinic Anesthesiology

7500 Mercy Rd Ste 1355 Omaha, NE 68124-2319 402-717-4866

CHARLES F. YOUNGBLOOD, MD

Creighton University 2500 California Plz Omaha, NE 68178 402-280-2700

CHI Health Clinic Anesthesiology

BARBARA J. HURLBERT University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd And Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-400

ANTHONY W. CASTLEBERRY

WILLIAM P. BIDDLE, MD

Nebraska Medicine Heart and Vascular Center at Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4424

OrthoNebraska

JOHN C. PETERSON OrthoNebraska

2808 S 143rd Plz Omaha, NE 68144-5611 402-609-3000

LAURENCE M. RAYNOR CHI Health Clinic Anesthesiology 6901 N 72nd St Omaha, NE 68122 402-717-4866

2808 S 143rd Plz Omaha, NE 68144-5611 402-609-3000

Cardiothoracic Surgery JOHN THOMAS BATTER, MD CHI Health Omaha Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery

9850 Nicholas St Omaha, NE 68114-2186 402-399-9990

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8888

KIM F. DUNCAN, MD

CHI Health Clinic Heart Institute

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4360

JOHN W. PETERSON

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

THOMAS J. LANGDON, MD CHI Health Omaha Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery

9850 Nicholas St, Ste 1000 Omaha, NE 68114 402-399-9990

HELENMARI L. MERRITT-GENORE

Methodist Physicians Clinic 1120 North 103rd Plz, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-0400

MICHAEL J. MOULTON, MD Heart And Vascular Center At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4424

ALEEM SIDDIQUE, MBBS Heart And Vascular Center At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4424

7500 Mercy Rd Omaha NE 68124-2319 402-398-5880

University Of Florida Health 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4108 352-273-9065

THOMAS R. PORTER, MD Heart And Vascular Center At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8888

RONALD J. PRITZA, MD CHI Health Clinic Heart Institute

7500 Mercy Rd Omaha, NE 68124-2319 402-398-5880

ATUL A. RAMACHANDRAN, MD CHI Health Clinic Heart Institute

7500 Mercy Rd Omaha, NE 68124-2319 402-398-5880

JOHN ROBERT WINDLE, MD Heart And Vascular Center At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8888

Heart And Vascular Center At Durham Outpatient Center

ROBERT B. ZATECHKA

Heart And Vascular Center At Durham Outpatient Center

JEFFREY S. CARSTENS, MD

JOHN Y. UM, MD

University Of Nebraska Medical Center - Bennett Hall

ANDREW RORIE

TEODORO SEGURA

CHI Health Omaha Anesthesia and Pain Treatment

Nebraska Medicine

SHEILA J. ELLIS

Durham Outpatient Center

NICHOLAS N. LIEBENTRITT, MD

ROBERT L. LOBATO

JILL A. POOLE, MD

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham

2808 S 143rd Plz Omaha, NE 68144-5611 402-609-3000

4204 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4081

KEVIN R. MURPHY

Midwest Allergy And Asthma Clinic PC

OrthoNebraska

Anesthesiology at Bennett Hall

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

JEFFREY S. NELSON

SASHA K. SHILLCUTT KENT S. HUTTON

STEVEN J. LISCO

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center

14080 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6930

Creighton University 2500 California Plz Omaha, NE 68178 402-280-2700

16945 Frances St Omaha, NE 68130-2312 402-397-7400

SARA M. MAY, MD

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

MARK D. REISBIG, MD, PHD

EBRAHIM SHAKIR

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4424

Colon And Rectal Surgery GARNET J. BLATCHFORD, MD, FACS

Cardiovascular Disease HAYSAM AKKAD, MD

Colon And Rectal Surgery Inc

9850 Nicholas St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114-2191 402-343-1122

Clarkson Heart Center

SEAN LANGENFELD

DANIEL R. ANDERSON, MD

42nd And Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-6592

4239 Farnam St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68131-2858 402-552-2320

Heart And Vascular Center At Durham Outpatient Center

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8888

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 37 //

JENNIFER LEINICKE

Rising Stars University Of Nebraska Medical Center

983280 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-6592

DEVI MUKKAI KRISHNAMURTY, MBBS CHI Health Clinic General Surgery

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 2000 Omaha, NE 68124-2323 402-717-4900

MANIAMPARAMPIL SHASHIDHARAN

Methodist Physicians Clinic 9850 Nicholas St Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114-2191 402-343-1122

CHARLES A. TERNENT

Methodist Physicians Clinic

9850 Nicholas St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114-2191 402-343-1122

ALAN G. THORSON, MD Colon And Rectal Surgery Inc

9850 Nicholas St Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114-2191 402-343-1122

ZACHARY H. TORGERSEN

Critical Care Medicine

JAMES N. SULLIVAN

KRISTINA L. BAILEY, MD

4204 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4081

University Of Nebraska Medical Center - Bennett Hall

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

Dermatology MELISSA D. DARLING

BRIAN D. BOER, MD

Midwest Dermatology Clinic PC

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center

109 N 15th St Norfolk, NE 68701 402-371-3564

4400 Emile St Omaha NE, 68105 402-559-4015

MARY T. FINNEGAN

Braddock Finnegan Dermatology PC

ZACHARY S. DEPEW, MD

7911 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68124 402-390-0333

CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124-2350 402-717-9600

KRISTIE D. HAYES, MD

Dermatology Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center

ADAM HIGHLEY

CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary

4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-552-7928

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124 402-717-9600

TRICIA HULTGREN, MD

DANIEL W. JOHNSON

Dermatology Specialists Of Omaha

Anesthesiology at Bennett Hall

909 N 96th St, Ste 201 Omaha, NE 68114-2508 402-330-4555

4204 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4081

JUSTIN G. MADSON

LEE MORROW MD

Methodist Physicians Clinic

9850 Nicholas St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114-2191 402-343-1122

Cosmetic Surgery JOHN J. EDNEY

Aesthetic Surgical Images 8900 W Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-0100

Midwest Dermatology Clinic PC

CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary

4242 Farnam St, Ste 360 Omaha, NE 68131-2850 402-552-2555

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124-2350 402-717-9600

MELANIE ORTLEB

ROBERT W. PLAMBECK, MD

Mod Dermatology

2953 S 168th St Omaha, NE 68130-2000 402-505-8777

CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124 402-717-9600

109 N 15th St Omaha, NE 68701 402-371-3564

JOEL SCHLESSINGER

Skin Specialists PC

2802 Oak View Dr, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68144-5604 402-334-7546

JAMES M. SHEHAN

Omaha Sterling Ridge 12910 Pierce St, Ste 120 Omaha, NE 68144-1106 402-933-3770

HERSCHEL E. STOLLER Center Of Dermatology PC

10110 Nicholas St, Ste 103 Omaha, NE 68114 402-398-9200

ADAM V. SUTTON

DEREK A. BURDENY OrthoNebraska

2808 S 143rd Plz Omaha, NE 68144-5611 402-609-1800

ELIZABETH EDNEY

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7063

ROBERT J. FORBES, MD Diagnostic Radiology PC 7915 Farnam Dr Omaha, NE 68114-4504 402-399-1900

ANNABEL GALVA, MD

Diagnostic Radiology PC 14301 FNB Parkway, Ste 130 Omaha, NE 68154-7200 402-639-8170

Dermatology Clinic at Lauritzen Outpatient Center

MARTIN GOODENBERGER

ASHLEY WYSONG

42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-1010

4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-552-7928

Dermatology Clinic at Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-552-7928

Diagnostic Radiology BRUCE BARON

Radiology Consultants of the Midwest 14441 Dupont Ct, Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68144 402-597-8775

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

JOHN A. HAGGSTROM

Radiology Consultants of the Midwest PC 14441 Dupont Ct Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68144-2107 402-597-8775

NEIL J. HANSEN

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-1010

Childrens Hospital & Medical Center 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5602

Come see the best to look your best Being the best is what we aim to do every day and with every patient we see. Dr. Schlessinger and his talented staff thank you and their peers for this vote of confidence!

402 334 7546 | 2802 Oak View Drive | SchlessingerMD.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Midwest Dermatology Clinic PC

TERRI L. LOVE

Best of Omaha 2022 winner in 8 categories

// 38 //

JASON S. PAPENFUSS

NICK NELSON MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4108 402-354-4344

JENNIFER M. OLIVETO Nebraska Medicine 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-1010

DAVID P. POAGE

Radiology at University Tower 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-1010

C. CHRISTIAN SCHLAEPFER

Radiology Consultants of the Midwest PC 14441 Dupont Ct Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68144-2107 402-597-8775

Emergency Medicine MATTHEW D. BOGARD OrthoNebraska

2808 S 143rd Plz Omaha, NE 68144-5611 402-609-1500

CHAD E. BRANECKI, MD Emergency Services At Nebraska Medical Center 4350 Dewey Ave Omaha, NE 68105-1017 402-559-6637

THOMAS F. CHEATLE OrthoNebraska

2727 S 144th St, Ste 150 Omaha, NE 68144-5225 402-609-1500

PATRICK T. COSTELLO OrthoNebraska

2808 S 143rd Plz Omaha, NE 68144-5611 402-609-1500

TIMOTHY J. LARSEN, MD Emergency Services At Nebraska Medical Center 4350 Dewey Ave Omaha, NE 68105-1017 402-559-6637

ROBERT L. MUELLEMAN, MD Emergency Services at Nebraska Medical Center 4350 Dewey Ave Omaha, NE 68105-1017 402-559-6637

RONALD A. SARNO CHI Health Emergency Department

11111 S 84th St Papillion, NE 68046 402-593-3558

MICHAEL C. WADMAN, MD Emergency Services at Nebraska Medical Center 4350 Dewey Ave Omaha, NE 68105-1017 402-559-6637

Congratulations to the

29 Boys Town physicians

recognized as Top Doctors in America!

ALLERGY/IMMUNOLOGY

NEUROLOGY

Kevin Murphy, M.D.

Deepak Madhavan, M.D.

CHILD PSYCHIATRY

OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Nicholas Basalay, M.D.

Jane Emanuel, M.D. Derek Leight, M.D.

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Sharad Kunnath, M.D. Anna Trauernicht, M.D. Jon Vanderhoof, M.D. INTERNAL MEDICINE

Jeremiah Gums, M.D. Lilli Mauer, M.D. Lauren Nelson, M.D. Robert Schwab, M.D.

ORTHOPAEDICS

Thomas Connolly, M.D. PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIOLOGY

Denise Drvol, M.D. Eileen Inda, M.D. Jane Kugler, M.D. Travis Teetor, M.D.

PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE

PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY

Mohan Mysore, M.D.

Adam Reinhardt, M.D.

PEDIATRIC GENERAL & THORACIC SURGERY

PEDIATRICS

Shahab Abdessalam, M.D. Robert Cusick, M.D. Megan Fuller, M.D. Stephen Raynor, M.D.

Kent Amstutz, M.D. Michael Dawson, M.D. Mark Domet, M.D. Charles Sprague, M.D. Debra Whaley, M.D.

PEDIATRIC NEUROSURGERY

Linden Fornoff, M.D.

We honor and thank all physicians and medical staff for your heroism in continuing to be on the front lines for patients. To find a Boys Town pediatrician or specialist near you, call 531-355-1234 or visit boystownhospital.org.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 39 //

RICHARD A. WALKER, MD Emergency Services at Nebraska Medical Center 4350 Dewey Ave Omaha, NE 68105-1017 402-559-6637

JORDAN M. WARCHOL

Emergency Services at Nebraska Medical Center 4350 Dewey Ave Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-6637

Endocrinology and Metabolism MARIUM ILAHI, MD

CHI Health Clinic Endocrinology

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 2000 Omaha, NE 68124-2323 402-717-3636

Endocrinology Diabetes And Metabolism

SARAH B. KONIGSBERG

JEFFREY L. GARTRELL

7831 Chicago Ct Omaha, NE 68114-3654 402-354-1230

10060 Regency Cir Omaha, NE 68114-3732 402-354-1500

Methodist Physicians Clinic

JENNIFER L. LARSEN, MD Diabetes And Endocrinology Center At Specialty Services Pavilion 4350 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8700

LYNN R. MACK, MD

Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Specialty Services Pavilion 4350 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8700

AMY S. NEUMEISTER

Nebraska Medicine - Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Specialty Services Pavilion

ROBERT J. ANDERSON

4350 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8700

5002 Underwood Ave Omaha, NE 68132 402-717-0785

Family Medicine

CHI Health Clinic Endocrinology

Methodist Physicians Clinic

MARK GOODMAN

CHI Health Clinic Family Medicine

2412 Cuming St, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0380

JEFFREY D. HARRISON, MD Family Medicine at Bellevue Health Center

2510 Bellevue Medical Center Dr Ste 200 Bellevue, NE 68123-1520 402-595-2275

GREGORY K. HUTTEGER Methodist Physicians Clinic 10060 Regency Cir Omaha, NE 68114-3732 402-354-1500

CHAD L. MOES

Multispecialty Clinic at Village Pointe Health Center 110 N 175th St Omaha, NE 68118-3582 402-596-4411

GREGORY J. BABBE, MD CLAIRE H. BAKER

Methodist Physicians Clinic 7831 Chicago Ct Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-1230

Family Medicine Clinic at Durham Outpatient Center 42nd And Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7200

BRIAN BOERNER

MARJORIE S. BISENIUS

4355 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198-4100 402-559-6208

2727 S 144th St, Ste 280 Omaha, NE 68144-5252 402-745-1145

Diabetes and Endocrinology Center

ANDJELA T. DRINCIC, MD Diabetes And Endocrinology Center At Specialty Services Pavilion 4350 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8700

Midwest Regional Health Services/

WILLIAM C. DORWART CHI Health Clinic Family Medicine/ Priority Care

6829 N 72nd St Ste 6200 Omaha NE 68122 402-572-3900

WILLIAM P. FITZGIBBONS LESLIE EILAND

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

984120 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-4130 402-559-6811

WHITNEY S. GOLDNER, MD Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at Specialty Services Pavilion

Skyline Medical Center, PC

1908 N Binfield St Ste 2 Elkhorn, NE 68022 402-289-4031

DONALD FREY

CHI Health Clinic Family Medicine

2412 Cuming St Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0380

4350 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8700

// 40 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

VIRGINIA M. RIPLEY

Methodist Healthwest 16120 W Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118-2049 402-354-0610

CHARLES P. ROGERS

Methodist Physicians Clinic 10710 Fort St Omaha, NE 68134-1230 402-354-7500

SHAILENDRA K. SAXENA Health Care for the Family

2727 S 144th St, Ste 220 Omaha, NE 68144 402-778-5500

MICHAEL A. SITORIUS, MD University Of Nebraska Medical Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-7200

JOHN L. SMITH, MD Family Medicine Clinic 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-7200

BODO W. TREU

CHI Health Clinic Family Medicine/ Internal Medicine/ Pediatrics

6829 N 72nd St, Ste 3100 Omaha, NE 68122 402-572-3900

DOUGLAS H. WHEATLEY, MD Family Medicine Clinic at Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-7200

Gastroenterology ALEXANDER B. BERNAL Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates Pc

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-4032 402-397-7057

ISHFAQ H BHAT, MD

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

JASON J. CISLER

Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates PC

8901 Indian Hills Dr Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-4032 402-397-7057

DERRICK D. EICHELE

Multispecialty Clinic at Village Pointe Health Center 110 N. 175th St Omaha, NE 68118 402-559-8503

KIMBERLY S. HARMON Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates PC

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-4032 402-397-7057

ALEXANDER T. HEWLETT, DO Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

GRANT F. HUTCHINS Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates PC

8901 Indian Hills Dr Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-4032 402-397-7057

KATHRYN E. HUTCHINS

RENEE L. YOUNG, MD

110 N 175th St Omaha, NE 68118-3582 402-559-8503

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

Multispecialty Clinic At Village Pointe Health Center

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center

ERIN T. JENKINS, MD

General Surgery

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124 402-717-9800

PATRICK J. AHRENS

CHI Health Clinic Gastroenterology

ROBERT T. KIZER, MD CHI Health Clinic Gastroenterology

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 2000 Omaha, NE 68124-2323 402-717-9800

THOMAS R. MCGINN Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates PC

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-4032 402-397-7057

MICHAEL E. SCHAFER Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates PC

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-4032 402-397-7057

EDWIN C. SCHAFER Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates PC

17001 Lakeside Hills Plz, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68130 402-885-8700

MARC A. SCHEER

Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates PC

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-4032 402-397-7057

SHAILENDER SINGH

Organ Transplant Center at Nebraska Medical Center 4315 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5008

BRIAN W. WARD

Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates PC

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-4032 402-397-7057

Methodist Physicians Clinic

201 Ridge St, Ste 214 Council Bluffs, IA 515034643 712-396-4320

ERIC M. BENDORF

Methodist Physicians Clinic

201 Ridge St, Ste 214 Council Bluffs, IA 515034643 712-396-4320

STEVEN J. BUDA

Methodist Physicians Clinic 8111 Dodge St Ste 263 Omaha, NE 68114-4118 402-354-8163

GREGG A. DRABEK, MD, FACS

CHI Health Clinic General Surgery

16909 Lakeside Hills Ct, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68130 402-827-4920

ABBEY L. FINGERET, MD

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

GLENN C. GARDNER, MD CHI Health Clinic General Surgery

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 2000 Omaha, NE 68124-2323 402-717-4900

MICHAEL A. HOVEY, MD, FACS CHI Health Clinic General Surgery

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 2000 Omaha, NE 68124-2323 402-717-4900

PAUL D. KOLKMAN

Methodist Physicians Clinic 8111 Dodge St, Ste 263 Omaha, NE 68114-4118 402-354-8163

MICHAEL J. MCNAMARA, MD CHI Health Clinic General Surgery

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 2000 Omaha, NE 68124-2346 402-717-4900

JAMES R. SCOTT

THOMAS M. MAGNUSON, MD

4242 Farnam St., Ste 370 Omaha, NE 68131-2850 402-552-3078

730 S 38th Ave Omaha, NE 68105-1107 402-552-6007

Omaha Center For Surgery PC

TIFFANY N. TANNER, MD General Surgery Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4075

THOMAS J. WHITE, MD

CHI Health Methodist Physicians Clinic 8111 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4129 402-354-1320

BRAD A. WINTERSTEIN

Methodist Physicians Clinic 8111 Dodge St, Ste 263 Omaha, NE 68114-4118 402-354-8163

JOSEPH R. WOLPERT, MD CHI Health Clinic General Surgery

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 2000 Omaha, NE 68124-2346 402-717-4900

Geriatric Medicine KARINA I. BISHOP, MD

Home Instead Center for Successful Aging 730 S 38th Ave Omaha, NE 6.81E+04 402-559-9600

WILLIAM L. LYONS, MD

Home Instead Center for Successful Aging 730 S 38th Ave Omaha, NE 68105-1107 402-559-9600

Home Instead Center for Successful Aging

Hand Surgery

Hepatology TIMOTHY M. MCCASHLAND, MD

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center

TIMOTHY R. MALLOY, MD Family Medicine Clinic 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-7200

Gynecologic Oncology DAVID R. CROTZER

Methodist Women’s Hospital

717 N 190th Plz, Ste 2100 Elkhorn, NE 68022-3914 402-354-5250

NIYATI J. NADKARNI

Midwest Gyn Oncology 8303 Dodge St, Ste 300 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5250

NICHOLAS B. BRUGGEMAN

OrthoNebraska

2510 Bellevue Medical Center Dr, Ste 145 Omaha, NE 68123 402-637-0800

KAYVON IZADI, MD

M. ANDREW THOMPSON

16120 W. Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-390-4111

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

MD West ONE

OrthoNebraska

CHI Health Clinic Gastroenterology

CHI Health Orthopedics

ALEX C. LESIAK

JEFFREY TIEDEMAN, MD

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

16120 W. Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-390-4111

OrthoNebraska

MD West ONE

Hematology

505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5068

VIJAYA R. BHATT

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5068

OrthoNebraska

JOHN “JACK” MCCARTHY, MD

Legacy MD West ONE

16120 W. Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-390-4111

BRENT J. TIERNEY

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center 8303 Dodge St Ste 300 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5250

2510 Bellevue Medical Center Drive Ste 250 Bellevue, NE 68123 402-559-5600

KRISHNA GUNDABOLU

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 South 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

6901 N 72nd St., Ste 3300 Omaha, NE 68122 402-717-9800

Hospice And Palliative LOU LUKAS

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

Cancer Center At Bellevue Medical Center

TODD J. GADDIE

2725 S 144th St Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

CHI Health Clinic Gastroenterology

RAJANI RANGRAY

STEVEN W. REMMENGA, MD

KERRY J. RODABAUGH, MD

SANDEEP MUKHERJEE, MD 7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 2000 Omaha, NE 68124-2323 402-717-9800

DAVID A. CLOUGH 16909 Lakeside Hills Ct, Ste 208 Omaha, NE 68130 402-717-0820

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4000

TODD M. SAUER

Methodist Hospital 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-4000

MELISSA L. TEPLY

Nebraska Medicine - Internal Medicine Clinic at Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

MEAGHANN SHAW

Journey On OrthoNebraska gives you a quicker, more direct path to getting back to what you love. When aches and pains threaten to disrupt your plans, get the right care, right now.

Orthopaedic Urgent Care

Emergency Room

Aksarben-Omaha (72nd & West Center) Elkhorn (204th & West Center) Oakview-Omaha (144th & West Center)

Oakview-Omaha (144th & West Center)

Hours vary by location

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

OrthoNebraska.com (402) 609-3000 Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital, LLC and OrthoWest, PC are each operating under the name OrthoNebraska. For more information, visit OrthoNebraska.com/legal.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 41 //

MEAGHANN SHAW WEAVER, MD, MPH

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5428

JASMINE RIVIERE MARCELIN

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 985400 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8650

Infectious Disease

AMIR SASAN GHOLAMI

Methodist Physicians Clinic 10060 Regency Cir Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-1530

ROBERT G. PENN, MD, FACP, FSHEA, FIDSA Infectious Diseases Associates PC

8111 Dodge St, Ste 363 Omaha, NE 68114-4119 402-354-8155

DAVID S. QUIMBY, MD CHI Health Clinic Infectious Disease

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124-2350 402-717-0759

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

4101 Woolworth Ave Omaha, NE 68105-1850 402-552-2529

ANGELA HEWLETT

Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105-1053 402-559-8650

JOHN M. HORNE, MD CHI Health Clinic Infectious Disease

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124 402-717-0759

JESSICA L. JONES

Methodist Physicians Clinic 10060 Regency Cir Omaha, NE 68114-3732 402-354-1530

ANDRE KALIL

Durham Outpatient Center Internal Medicine Specialties 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8650

Durham Outpatient Center Internal Medicine Specialties 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8650

LOUIS L. SAFRANEK CHI Health

2229 Hanscom Ave Omaha, NE 68106 402-733-8818

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

MANASA VELAGAPUDI, MBBS CHI Health Clinic Infectious Disease

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124 402-717-0759

RENUGA VIVEKANANDAN, MD Chi Health Clinic Infectious Disease

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124 402-717-0759

RUDOLF J. KOTULA

Methodist Physicians Clinic 10060 Regency Cir Omaha, NE 68114-3732 402-354-1530

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Internal Medicine Clinic at Village Pointe Health Center 983331 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-596-4411

LILLI K. MAUER

Boys Town Lakeside Medical Clinic

16929 Frances St, Ste 103 Omaha, NE 68130 531-355-7600

KIRK MUFFLY

Think Whole Person Healthcare

5002 Underwood Ave Omaha, NE 68132 402-717-0785

CHELSEA NAVARRETTE

CHI Health Clinic Internal Medicine

ROBERT C. DRVOL JR., MD, FAAP Chi Health Clinic Family Medicine/ Internal Medicine/ Pediatrics

6829 N 72nd St, Ste 3100 Omaha, NE 68122-1724 402-572-3900

JEREMIAH J. GUMS

Boys Town Lakeside Medical Clinic

7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106-2714 402-506-9108

Internal Medicine Clinic at Durham Outpatient Center

8604 Giles Road La Vista, NE 68128 402.559.0000

BRUCE HOUGHTON, MD CHI Health Clinic Internal Medicine

7710 Mercy Rd Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124-2350 402-717-0800

MARTIN MANCUSO

Think Whole Person Healthcare 7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106-2714 402-506-9106

Methodist Physicians Clinic

MICHAEL P. SMITH

RAE A. WITT, MD

4242 Farnam St, Ste 650 Omaha, NE 68131-2813 402-559-8600

8901 W Dodge Rd, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114-3327 402-354-8600

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

Internal Medicine Hospital Medicine

Neurological Sciences Center At Clarkson Doctors Building North

CHAD W. VOKOUN

Preoperative Evaluation and Care Clinic at Clarkson Tower 4350 Dewey Ave Omaha, NE 68105-1017 402-559-9228

LAUREN NELSON

16929 Frances St, Ste 103 Omaha, NE 68130 531-355-7600

MICAH W. BEACHY

Boys Town Lakeside Medical Clinic

Nebraska Medicine - Internal Medicine Clinic at Durham Outpatient Center

MARK E. OBERLIES MDVIP

Brentwood Health Center

EDWARD J. TAYLOR

986430 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4000

JOSEPH T. AYOUB

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

EMILY K. HILL BOWMAN

16120 W Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118-2049 402-354-0550

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

982055 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4000

SEHR HAROON

987400 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4000

Methodist Healthwest

SARAH E RICHARDS

Interventional Cardiology

J. SCOTT NEUMEISTER

Nebraska Medicine

WILLIAM A. SHIFFERMILLER

ALLISON ASHFORD

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-6315

16929 Frances St Ste 103 Omaha, NE 68130 531-355-7600

RICHARD C. STARLIN, MD Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center

KARA J. MARKIN

MICHAEL DAVIDIAN

MARK RUPP

GARY GORBY

// 42 //

10060 Regency Cir Omaha, NE 68114-3732 402-354-1500

42nd & Emile St Omaha, NE 68198-9450 402-559-4500

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8650

Methodist Physicians Clinic

Olson Center For Women’s Health At Durham Outpatient Center

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center

Durham Outpatient Center Internal Medicine Specialties

ARIANA A. BAUER

SHANNON BOERNER

KELLY A. CAWCUTT, MD

DIANA FLORESCU

Internal Medicine

16909 Lakeside Hills Ct, Ste 111 Omaha, NE 68130-4661 402-810-9700

JENNIFER R. PARKER

Nebraska Medicine - Fontenelle Health Center 5005 Ames Ave Omaha, NE 68104 402-559-0282

CHAD A. READE

Methodist Healthwest 16120 W Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118-2049 402-354-0550

ROBERT J. SCHWAB

Boys Town Lakeside Medical Clinic

16929 Frances St, Ste 103 Omaha, NE 68130 531-355-7600

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

Neurological Sciences Center At Clarkson Doctors Building North 4242 Farnam St, Ste 650 Omaha, NE 68131-2813 402-559-8600

TIMEA BOR

CHI Health

7500 Mercy Rd Omaha, NE 68124-2319 855-524-4001

KARISA HAJEK

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4000

CHRISTINE MITCHELL

University Of Nebraska Medical Center - Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Medicine 4101 Woolworth Ave Omaha, NE 68105 402-346-8800 ext. 4777

ERIC C. RICE, MD

CHI Health Clinic Hospital Medicine 800 Mercy Dr Council Bluffs, IA 51503-3128 855-524-4001

Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital

1 Edmundson Pl Council Bluffs, IA 515034658 712-396-7787

IOANNIS S. CHATZIZISIS Nebraska Medicine Heart and Vascular Center at Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8888

EDMUND O. FIKSINSKI

Methodist Physicians Clinic

1120 N 103rd Plz, Ste 101 Omaha, NE 68114-1119 402-391-5055

ANDREW M. GOLDSWEIG, MD

Heart And Vascular Center At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8888

Maternal And Fetal Medicine TERESA G. BERG

Olson Center For Women’s Health At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-6150

ROBERT G. BONEBRAKE Methodist Women’s Hospital

707 N 190th Plz, Ste 2400 Elkhorn, NE 68022-3974 402-815-1970

BRENDAN CONNEALY

Methodist Women’s Hospital

707 North 190th Plz, Ste 2400 Elkhorn, NE 68022 402-815-1970

RAMZY S. NAKAD

Olson Center For Women’s Health At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68100 402-559-6150

EMILY M. PATEL

Methodist Women’s Hospital Medical Office Building

707 N 190th Plz, Ste 2400 Elkhorn, NE 68022-3974 402-815-1970

Medical Oncology And Hematology APARKISHOR P. GANTI, MD

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

TIMOTHY HUYCK

Nebraska Cancer Specialists

611 Fenwick Dr Papillion, NE 68046-5706 402-334-4773

KELSEY KLUTE

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 South 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

ABRAHAM P. MATHEWS, MD

Hematology & Oncology Consultants PC 6901 N 72nd St, Ste 2244 Omaha, NE 68122-1709 402-572-3535

GEETHA PALANIAPPAN Nebraska Cancer Specialists 611 Fenwick Dr Papillion, NE 68046 402-593-3141

HEATHER T. LECHNOWSKY

Omaha Nephrology PC 1111 N 102nd Ct, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-2194 402-502-2747

ELIZABETH C. REED, MD

TERI MAUCH

505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-559-6400

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

PETER SILBERSTEIN, MD CHI Health Henry Lynch Cancer Center 7500 Mercy Rd Omaha, NE 68124-2319 402-717-0950

STEFANO TARANTOLO Nebraska Cancer Specialists

17201 Wright St, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68130-2042 402-334-4773

Nephrology DAVID C. GOLDNER

Omaha Nephrology PC 1111 N 102nd Ct, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-2194 402-502-2747

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

CLIFFORD MILES

Organ Transplant Center at Nebraska Medical Center 4315 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5000

MELISSA A. MUFF-LUETT, MD

BRIAN D. POOLE

Omaha Nephrology PC 1111 N 102nd Ct, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-2194 402-502-2747

VERONICA A. TAYLOR, MD Rising Stars Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4003

BRADLEY BOWDINO, MD MD West ONE

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

KETKI K. TENDULKAR Internal Medicine Clinic at Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

Neurological Surgery

STEPHEN DORAN, MD

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4003

MICHELE R. AIZENBERG, MD

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

TROY J. PLUMB, MD

505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center

MD West ONE

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 43 //

THOMAS SCOTT DIESING Neurological Sciences Center At Clarkson Doctors Building North 4242 Farnam St, Ste 650 Omaha, NE 68131-2813 402-559-8600

GEORGE M. GREENE

KEITH LODHIA, MD

JOHN TREVES, MD

2725 S 144th St, Ste 212 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-637-0800

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

OrthoNebraska

MD West ONE

JOHN D. HAIN

DANIEL L. SURDELL

13616 California St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68154-5336 402-496-0404

4242 Farnam St, Ste 550 Omaha, NE 68131-2813 402-836-9900

Nebraska Spine + Pain Center

Clarkson Doctors North

WILLIAM E. THORELL Clarkson Doctors North

4242 Farnam St, Ste 550 Omaha, NE 68131-2813 402-836-9900

JORDAN LACY, MD MD West ONE

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

MD West ONE

PIERRE B. FAYAD

Neurological Sciences Center At Clarkson Doctors Building North

Neurology

4242 Farnam St, Ste 650 Omaha, NE 68131-2813 402-559-8600

HAKAM M. ASAAD

DAVID A FRANCO

Omaha Neurological Clinic Inc

10020 Nicholas St, Ste 202 Omaha, NE 68114-2188 402-393-2023

JOEL T. COTTON

Methodist Physicians Clinic 8901 W Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68114-3327 402-354-2000

Methodist Physicians Clinic

8901 W Dodge Rd, Ste 210 Omaha NE 68114-3321 402-354-2000

HARRIS A. FRANKEL

Legacy Neurological Sciences Center At Clarkson Doctors Building North 4242 Farnam St, Ste 650 Omaha, NE 68131-2813 402-559-8600

MARCO A. GONZALEZCASTELLON Clarkson Doctors Building North

DEEPAK MADHAVAN

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

4242 Farnam St, Ste 650 Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8600

14080 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-7420

SCOTT H. GOODMAN

DANIEL L. MURMAN

Neurology Consultants of Nebraska 4242 Farnam St, Ste 500 Omaha, NE 68131-2850 402-552-2650

DARYL R. GRESS

Neurological Sciences Center at Clarkson Doctors Building North 4242 Farnam St, Ste 650 Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8600

BERNADETTE A. HUGHES Omaha Neurological Clinic Inc

Neurological Sciences Center At Clarkson Doctors Building North 4242 Farnam St, Ste 650 Omaha, NE 68131-2813 402-559-8600

SANJAY P. SINGH, MBBS Creighton University 601 N 30th St Omaha, NE 68131 402-280-4399

Obstetrics and Gynecology

10020 Nicholas St, Ste 202 Omaha, NE 68114-2188 402-393-2023

MARGARET BERAN

SACHIN KEDAR

6829 N 72nd St, Ste 4500 Omaha, NE 68122 402-572-3790

Truhlsen Eye Institute 3902 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105-1119 402-559-2020

CHI Health Clinic Women’s Health

Meet our team of orthopedic, neurosurgery & spine specialists at mdwestone.com. // 44 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

ROBERT CHARLES BOSSERT

Associates in Women’s Health 17001 Lakeside Hills Plz Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68130 402-697-7200

MARK D. CARLSON

Methodist Women’s Hospital

717 N 190th Plz Omaha, NE 68022-3913 402-815-1700

LAURA E. CUDZILOKELSEY Olson Center For Women’s Health 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4500

JENNIFER L. GRIFFIN MILLER

Olson Center For Women’s Health At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68100 402-559-4500

GINA M. HARPERHARRISON

CHI Health Clinic Women’s Health

11109 S 84th St, Ste 4800 Papillion, NE 68046 402-827-4915

JODANNE HEDRICK

REBECCA JANE MCCRERY

Adult Pediatric Urology & Urogynecology PC

10707 Pacific St, Ste 101 Omaha, NE 68114 402-397-7989

ADRIENNE E. PERFILIO CHI Health Clinic Women’s Health 5002 Underwood Ave Omaha, NE 68132 402-572-3790

KRISTI K. PETERSON

Heartland Women’s Healthcare

10701 S 72nd St, Ste 100 Papillion, NE 68046-3427 402-827-9400

KENT SIEMERS

Mid-City OB-GYN

7205 W Center Rd, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68124-2388 402-397-6600

TIFANY L. SOMER-SHELY Methodist Women’s Hospital 717 N 190th Plz Omaha, NE 60822 402-815-1700

ALISSA MARR

JOSEPH W. TOWNLEY, MD

986840 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-6840 402-559-8500

8141 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68124 402-391-1100

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

NICOLE A. SHONKA, MD

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

Ophthalmology MATTHEW V. BRUMM

Brumm Eye Center

6751 N 72nd St, Ste 105 Omaha NE 68122 402-572-2020

RAO V. CHUNDURY

Truhlsen Eye Institute 3902 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105-1119 402-559-2020

VIKAS GULATI

Truhlsen Eye Institute 3902 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105-1119 402-559-2020

SONYA TRAN

Mid-City Ob-Gyn

7205 W Center Rd, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68124-2388 402-397-6600

REBECCA L. JACOBI

Methodist Women’s Hospital 717 N 190th Plz Omaha, NE 60822 402-815-1700

CAROLEE V. JONES

Methodist Physicians Clinic 8901 West Dodge Rd, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-1700

JIMMY P. KHANDALAVALA, MD, FACOG CHI Health Clinic Women’s Health

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 1000 Omaha, NE 68124-2323 402-717-3010

WILLIAM D. WEIDNER

Methodist Women’s Hospital

717 N 190th Plz, Ste 1400 Elkhorn, NE 68022-3926 402-815-1700

SUSAN A. WESTCOTT

Methodist Women’s Hospital 717 N 190th Plz Omaha, NE 60822 402-815-1700

SYLVIA J. ZIEGENBEIN

Olson Center For Women’s Health At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4500

RALPH J. HAUKE

Cancer Center At Village Pointe Health Center 111 N 175th St Omaha, NE 68118 402-559-5600

Orthopaedics Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8000

Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery

KIRK S. HUTTON

OrthoNebraska

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

VALMONT P. DESA

Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5999

JAMES D RUSKIN

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic at Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68100 402-559-5999

Orthopaedic Surgery

DANIEL GAFFNEY, MD MD West ONE

16120 W. Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-390-4111

KEVIN L. GARVIN

Orthopaedics Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8000

CHI Health Orthopedics

LANCE KUGLER, MD

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 2000 Omaha, NE 68124-2323 402-717-0820

MARK E. GOEBEL OrthoNebraska

2725 S 144th St, Ste 212 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-637-0800

17838 Burke St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68118-2256 402-558-2211

SCOTT MCMULLEN, MD MD West ONE

16120 W. Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-390-4111

ROBERT G. MANAHAN, MD Manahan Eye Associates

JOSEPH A. MORGAN DAVID BUCK, MD MD West ONE

CELIA R. MANAHAN, MD Manahan Eye Associates

535 Fortune Dr, Ste 200 Papillion, NE 68046-3428 402-934-9033

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8000

Kugler Vision

535 Fortune Dr, Ste 200 Papillion, NE 68046-3428 402-934-9033

OrthoNebraska

Orthopaedics Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center

CHI Health Orthopedics

KARL A. BERGMANN, MD

SAYFE A. JASSIM

SEAN V. MCGARRY

CASEY D. BERAN

3301 E. Elkhorn Drive, #100 Fremont, NE 68025 402-390-4111

CRAIG L. HANSEN OrthoNebraska

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 712-396-4020

Neurology Consultants of Nebraska

2510 Bellevue Medical Center Dr Ste 150 Bellevue, NE 68123 402-559-8000

CURTIS W. HARTMAN

Orthopaedics Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8000

MARTIN MIZENER

Midwest Eye Care

Oncology

CHRIS A. CORNETT

6829 N 72nd St, Ste 7500 Omaha, NE 68122 402-717-0820

Mid-City Ob-Gyn

7205 W Center Rd Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68124-2388 402-397-6600

Eye Consultants PC Eyeoptics

4353 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68131-2709 402-552-2020

BRENT D. TIMPERLEY

H. WESLEY CHENG, MD

T. KEVIN O’MALLEY, MD

3902 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105-1119 402-559-2020

16120 W. Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-390-4111

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

Truhlsen Eye Institute

MD West ONE

MD West ONE

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 45 //

Orthopedics

ERIK OTTERBERG, MD

CHARLES ROSIPAL, MD

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

MD West ONE

MD West ONE

JUSTIN C. SIEBLER

Orthopaedics Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8000

SAMUEL PHILLIPS, MD

CHARLES F. BURT OrthoNebraska

2725 S 144th St, Ste 212 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-637-0800

NICHOLAS WEGNER, MD

16120 W. Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-390-4111

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

OrthoNebraska

Boys Town Hospital

CHRISTIE A. BARNES, MD

14040 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-7400

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

AJOY JANA, MD

JOSHUA A. URBAN

16120 W. Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-390-4111

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

MD West ONE

OrthoNebraska

BEAU S. KONIGSBERG Orthopaedics Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center

MICHAEL C. THOMPSON OrthoNebraska

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-637-0800

MD West ONE

Otalaryngology Ear Nose Throat

THOMAS CONNOLLY, MD

OrthoNebraska

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

STEVEN G. KUMAGAI

MD West ONE

STEVEN V. HAGAN

MD West ONE

DAVID INDA, MD

Ear Nose Throat (ENT) Allergy And Audiology At Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5208

DAVID A. DENMAN, MD ENT Specialists PC

720 N 129th St Omaha, NE 68154-6109 402-397-0670

4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8000

Northpoint Nebraska

SPONSORED PROFILE

//

A HAVEN FOR NEBRASKANS TO RECOVER FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Northpoint Nebraska offers inpatient and outpatient services. When patients come into Northpoint facilities, they find a warm, welcoming atmosphere with around-theclock medical care.

Inpatient treatment includes medically supervised detox to ease withdrawals and group and one-on-one counseling to fit each individual’s needs. Patients can continue to outpatient services as they heal and learn to adapt with the new coping skills they’ve learned to live a sober lifestyle.

“We want people to know recovery is possible,” said Jones. “We partner with patients and treat it like any other medical issue, like diabetes or heart disease.” NP

O

M AHA –Those battling with substance use come from every walk of life; from successful businessmen and women, newly minted college graduates, to your neighbor next door. Some have lost everything as substances and mental health issues have overtaken their lives. Some are able to live a functioning life, but things can spiral out of control quickly. Northpoint Nebraska helps those struggling get back to living a happy and healthy life.

// 46 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Almost half of U.S. adults say they have a family member or close friend who has an addiction, or has misused substances to this level in the past. (Source: Pew Research Center) This disease touches all of us in some way.

“We want to help people bring their issues out of the darkness and into the sunlight,” says Mark Jones, PhD. Vice President of Northpoint Nebraska. “It speaks to our mission statement: saving lives and restoring relationships.”

For more information go to northpointnebraska.com or call: 402-282-8228.

KATIE GEELAN-HANSEN University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5700

WILLIAM M. LYDIATT

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center 8303 Dodge St, Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5048

DANIEL D. LYDIATT

Methodist Hospital 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5048

OLEG N. MILITSAKH

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center

MARK D. FREY

Advanced ENT

202 High St, Ste 100 Tecumseh, NE 68450 402-335-6372

JONATHAN HATCH

Ear Nose Throat (ENT) Allergy And Audiology At Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5208

ELIZABETH J. BRADFORD BELL, MD

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

THOMAS J. DOBLEMAN

CHI Health Ear, Nose and Throat

11704 W Center Rd, Ste 211 Omaha, NE 68144 402-393-7050

Dundee Pediatrics

555 N 30th St Omaha, NE 68131-2136 531-355-6540

W. DEREK LEIGHT

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

ENT Specialists PC

720 N 129th St Omaha, NE 68154-6109 402-397-0670

ZAFAR SAYED

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5600

PAUL S. SHERRERD, MD Family Ear Nose And Throat Clinic PC 6751 N 72nd St, Ste 207 Omaha, NE 68122-1746 402-572-3165

BRITT A. THEDINGER, MD Ear Specialists Of Omaha & Bellevue

9202 W Dodge Rd, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114-3318 402-933-3277

Pain Management MADHURI ARE

Pain Medicine At Clarkson Doctors Building North

4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5208

RICHARD G. BELATTI, JR.

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

14040 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6800

EILEEN T. CONNOLLY INDA

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4304

ELIZABETH A. KELLY, MD

JAYME DOWDALL

JANE M. EMANUEL

8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4108 402-354-4540

4239 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68131-2868 402-559-4186

4242 Farnam St Ste 550 Omaha, NE 68131 402-559-8600

Lauritzen Outpatient Center

17030 Lakeside Hills Plz Building 2, Ste 202 Omaha, NE 68130-2396 402-413-5010

11819 Miracle Hills Dr, Ste 105 Omaha, NE 68154 402-445-4800

42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5208

TRENT W. QUINLAN, MD

CHRISTOPHER M. BINGCANG, MD

RACHEL A. SPITZNAGEL, MD

AUDREY J. LAZENBY

SAMUEL PATE

Otolaryngology

Pediatric Anesthesiology

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

PATRICIA J. CHUDOMELKA

14040 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6800

4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5208

EUGENE N. HERBEK, MD

Innovative Pain & Spine Specialists

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

8303 Dodge St, Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5048

Lauritzen Outpatient Center

THOMAS BROOKS, MD

Medical Pain Center PC 7837 Chicago Plz Omaha, NE 68114-3653 402-390-6226

Pain Management Consultants, PC

JAMES DEVNEY

Spine & Musculoskeletal Medicine

9850 Nicholas St, Ste 310 Omaha, NE 68114-2186 402-502-9877

ANGIE L. RAKES

Pain Medicine at Village Pointe

111 N 175th St Omaha, NE 68118-3579 402-596-4200

Pathology JOHN J. BAKER

Clarkson Doctors Building South 4239 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68131 402-559-4186

JULIA A. BRIDGE

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

983135 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5018

DOMINICK J DIMAIO

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-3870

KURT W. FISHER

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7695

KIRK W. FOSTER

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-3870

Pathology At Clarkson Doctors Building South

SUBODH M. LELE

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Boys Town National Research Hospital 14000 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6540

DENISE M. DRVOL

Boys Town National Research Hospital 14000 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6540

42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7063

MARCELLENE H. FRANZEN

STANLEY J. RADIO

42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4000

Nebraska Medicine 4239 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68131 402-559-4186

BENJAMIN J. SWANSON University Of Nebraska Medical Center

983135 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7844

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

TRAVIS TEETOR

Boys Town National Research Hospital 14000 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6540

JOBY VARGHESE

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd And Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4000

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

GABRIEL GALLEGOS, MD

CAMILLE L. HANCOCK FRIESEN, MD

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4370

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4360

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

JESSICA K. GOELLER, DO

ALI N. IBRAHIMIYE, MD

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4303

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4360

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

GEOFFREY A. TALMON

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

4239 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68131 402-559-4186

RYAN J. HAMLIN, MD

Pediatric Cardiology

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4303

JEFFREY W. DELANEY

Pathology at Clarkson Doctors Building South

Pediatric Allergy Immunology RUSSELL J. HOPP, DO, FAAAAI

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

Pediatrics Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center

JANE A. KUGLER

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-955-8125

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-5570

14000 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6540

CHRISTOPHER C. ERICKSON, MD

BRIAN T. KELLY

THOMAS MANNING, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic 1300 Nebraska Ave Norfolk, NE 68701 402-379-3250

Boys Town National Research Hospital

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4370

HANA B. NIEBUR,MD, FAAAAI

MOHANAD SHUKRY, MD

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-5570

42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198-4455 402-559-4000

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

University of Nebraska Medical Center - Department Of Anesthesiology

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4339

SCOTT E. FLETCHER, MD

Legacy Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4339

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 47 //

DAVID WILLIAM JANTZEN III, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4350

AMANDA M. MARSHALL

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center 8200 Dodge St Gretna, NE 68114 402-955-4200

JEFFREY ROBINSON, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4350

ROBERT L. SPICER, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4339

MELISSA WEHRMANN, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4350

ANGELA T. YETMAN, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4350

Pediatric Clinical Genetics OMAR A. ABDULRAHMAN

UNMC – MunroeMeyer

DANITA VELASCO Munroe-Meyer Institute

985440 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-5450 402-559-3446

Pediatric Critical Care JEAN A. BALLWEG, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4350

ROBERT N. CHAPLIN, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

909 N 96th St, Ste 201 Omaha, NE 68114-2508 402-330-4555

Pediatric Developmental Behavioral Problems CYNTHIA R. ELLIS

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-8280

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5150

ZEBULON J. TIMMONS, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5150

JENNIFER L. WANG, DO Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5150

KELLY D. KADLEC, MD

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4160

MONINA S. CABRERA, MD

HOWARD W. NEEDELMAN, MD

8552 Cass St Omaha, NE 68114-3567 402-955-3871

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4200

ANDREW J. MACFADYEN, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-4200

SIDHARTH MAHAPATRA, MD, PHD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4200

<OHAN MYSORE

Boys Town National Research Hospital

ANN HASKINS OLNEY

BRIDGET M. NORTON

Nebraska Medicine -Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-955-8125

LOIS J. STARR, MD, PHD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-6799

// 48 //

Dermatology Specialists Of Omaha

Rising Stars Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

GARY S. LERNER, MD

412 S Saddle Creek Rd Omaha, NE 68114 402-559-6418

985440 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-5440 402-559-3602

JILL NELSON, MD

HANNAH SNELLER, MD

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4200

14000 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-1234

Munroe-Meyer Institute

Pediatric Dermatology

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Childrens Hospital & Medical Center - Childrens Developmental Clinic

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-8075

Pediatric Emergency Medicine THOMAS J. DEEGAN, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5150

CARRIE HEMMER, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5150

CHELSEA R. MAJERUS, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5150

ASHLEY S. NELSON, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5150

Pediatric Endocrinology Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

KEVIN CORLEY, MD

Children’s Specialty Pediatric Clinic – Lincoln

2121 S 56th St Lincoln, NE 68506-2111 402-486-1500

SALAHEDDIN HI ELROKHSI

Pediatrics Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center

OJASVINI CHOUDHRY CHANDAN, MBBS

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5700

DAVID J. FREESTONE, DO Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5700

ANDREW S. HUANG PACHECO, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5700

SHARAD KUNNATH

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

Pediatric Gastroenterology Of Omaha

4242 Farnam St, Ste 490 Omaha, NE 68131 402-552-2100

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

14040 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-7400

ABDALLA E. ZARROUG, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-7400

Pediatric Hematology Oncology

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-3950

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

14080 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6820

Pediatric General Surgery SHAHAB F. ABDESSALAM, MD

Boys Town Hospital

ROBERT A. CUSICK

DEAN L. ANTONSON

STEPHEN C. RAYNOR

ANNA TRAUERNICHT

BRACHA GOLDSWEIG, MD

Pediatric Gastroenterology

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5700

MELISSA A. ACQUAZZINO MD, MS

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-955-8125

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-559-4000

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

14080 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6820

14040 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-7400

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

MARK KUSEK, MD

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

14040 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-7400

MEGAN K. FULLER, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

JENNA ALLISON

The Nebraska Medical Center 986878 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-6878 402-559-5600

JILL C. BECK, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-3950

DON W. COULTER, MD

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

Boys Town Hospital

JAMES B. FORD, DO

ANGELA HANNA, MD

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-3950

14040 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-7400

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-7400

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

JAMES L. HARPER

ALEISHA NABOWER, MD

986878 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-6878 402-559-5600

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4496

The Nebraska Medical Center

SACHIT A. PATEL

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

Pediatric Hepatology RUBEN E. QUIROS, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5700

EMILLE MARIE REYES SANTIAGO, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5700

Pediatric Hospital Medicine STEPHEN M. DOLTER, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5400

AMY GOLDSTEIN, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-4140

NATHANIEL P. GOODRICH, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5400

RUSSELL MCCULLOH, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5400

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

LISA M. SIECZKOWSKI, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5400

JOSEPH T. SNOW, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5400

SHEILAH J. SNYDER, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5400

SHARON R. STOOLMAN, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-5400

Pediatric Infectious Disease H. DELE DAVIES

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

987810 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-7810 402-559-4000

SHIRLEY F. DELAIR, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-6799

ANDREA GREEN HINES

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S. 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8650

KARI A. NEEMANN, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-6799

KARI A. SIMONSEN, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-6799

Pediatric Metabolic Diseases RICHARD E. LUTZ Munroe-Meyer Institute

985440 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-3446

WILLIAM B. RIZZO, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-4199

Pediatric Neonatal Perinatal Medicine ANN L. ANDERSON BERRY

Pediatrics Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-955-8125

KHALID A. AWAD

Methodist Women’s Hospital

707 N 190th Plz Omaha, NE 68022-3974 402-815-4000

NICOLE D. BIRGE, MD

COURTNEY MCLEAN, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68114 304-544-5793

DAVID W. MINDERMAN, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-5372

THOMAS W. SEIDEL

14080 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6820

Methodist Women’s Hospital

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

707 N 190th Plz Elkhorn, NE 68022-3974 402-354-4800

Pediatric Ophthalmology

LYNNE D. WILLETT, MD

RICHARD H. LEGGE

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-6140

ZAHI E. ZEIDAN, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-6140

Pediatric Neurological Surgery LINDEN FORNOFF

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

14080 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-7420

ARNETT KLUGH

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd and Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4000

Truhlsen Eye Institute

MARK PUCCIONI, MD MD West ONE

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-6300

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-6300

MAEGEN J. WALLACE, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-6300

3902 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105-1119 402-559-2020

Pediatric Otalaryngology (ENT)

DONNY SUH

DEBORA W. GOEBEL, MD

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 3902 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-2020

SEBASTIAN J. TROIA Pediatric Ophthalmology Associates

515 N 98th St Omaha, NE 68114-2368 402-399-9400

ENT Specialists PC

720 N 129th St Omaha, NE 68154-6109 402-983-9948

DWIGHT T. JONES, MD

Ear Nose Throat (Ent) Allergy And Audiology At Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5208

RYAN K. SEWELL, MD, JD

ROBERT N. TROIA Pediatric Ophthalmology Associates

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

ANDREW N. TROIA

DANIEL J. WEHRMANN, MD

515 N 98th St Omaha, NE 68114-2368 402-399-9400

Rising Stars Pediatric Ophthalmology Associates

515 N 98th St Omaha NE 68114-2368 402-399-9400

Pediatric Orthopedics Orthopedic Surgery

NATHAN GOLLEHON, MD

MATTHEW A. HALANSKI, MD

BRIAN P. HASLEY, MD Pediatric Nutrition JON A. VANDERHOOF

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-6140

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-6140

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-6140

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

MARY C. RICKARD, MD

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-6370

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-6370

Pediatric Psychiatry NICHOLAS P. BASALAY

PAUL W. ESPOSITO, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-6300

Rising Stars Boys Town Residential Treatment Center 14092 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-1449

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 49 //

SHASHI K. BHATIA

CHI Health Clinic Psychiatric Associates

7101 Newport Ave, Ste 207 Omaha, NE 68152 402-572-2916

MARTIN J. HARRINGTON, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center – Behavioral Health

1000 N. 90th St, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-3900

JENNIFER McWILLIAMS, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

1000 N 90th St, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-3900

MARK C. WILSON, MD Legacy Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-7378

Pediatric Rheumatology ADAM REINHARDT

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

14040 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6800

Pediatric Urology

JOHN ANTON PESAVENTO

CLAUDIA BERRONDO, MD

1000 N 90th St, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-3900

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4002

Childrens Hospital And Medical Center Behavioral Health

Pediatric Pulmonology CASEY J. BURG, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-7378

MATTHEW B. DENNIS, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-7378

PAUL H. SAMMUT, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-5570

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

JOHN H. MAKARI, MD, FAAP, FACS Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center

111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114-4101 402-955-4002

Pediatrics General

GINA DIRENZO-COFFEY, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

5018 Underwood Ave, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68132-2253 402-991-5678

MARK J. DOMET

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

14080 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6900

DAVID A. FINKEN, MD

Children’s Physicians, UNMC 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-955-8125

DAWN M. GARY, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

9202 W Dodge Rd, Ste 101 Omaha, NE 68114-3318 402-955-7500

MATTHEW E. GIBSON

Methodist Physicians Clinic 10060 Regency Cir Omaha, NE 68114-3732 402-354-1325

SHANNON GODSIL, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

9801 Giles Rd, Ste 1 La Vista, NE 68128-2925 402-955-8400

KENTON R. AMSTUTZ Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

FRANCIS J. HARRISON, MD

14080 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6900

Children’s Physicians Val Verde

MICHAEL D. COHEN, MD

KARI A. KRENZER, MD

Village Pointe Pediatrics

18018 Burke St Elkhorn, NE 68022-4417 402-573-7337

9801 Giles Rd, Ste 1 La Vista, NE 68128-2925 402-955-8400

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

110 N 175th St Omaha, NE 68118-3582 402-955-5437

MICHAEL G. DAWSON HEATHER M. THOMAS, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Specialty Pediatric Center 111 N 84th St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5570

Boys Town Pacific Street Clinic

14080 Boys Town Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 531-355-6900

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

9801 Giles Rd, Ste 1 La Vista, NE 68128-2925 402-955-8400

MARY C. DEK, MD Village Pointe Pediatrics

18018 Burke St Elkhorn, NE 68022-4417 402-573-7337

// 50 //

RACHEL L. MCCANN, MD

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

JANIE MIKULS, MD

Children’s Physicians, West Village Pointe 110 N 175th St Omaha, NE 68118-3582 402-955-5437

ARWA K. NASIR, MD

JOSEPH G. STRALEY, MD

HOPE MAY VOTO

4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-955-8125

13808 W Maple Rd, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68164-6231 402-955-3000

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5767

Children’s Physicians, UNMC

LAURA W. NIELSEN, MD

Children’s Physicians, West Village Pointe 110 N 175th St Omaha, NE 68118-3582 402-955-5437

SHERYL L. PITNER, MD

Children’s Physicians, UNMC 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-955-8125

CHANDRIKA RIZAL, MD

Children’s Physicians, Mission Village 16909 Q St Omaha, NE 68135-1521 402-955-7575

SAMANTHA S. ROHE

Pediatrics Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-955-8125

FRANCES F. SMITH, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

9801 Giles Rd, Ste 1 La Vista, NE 68128-2925 402-955-8400

CHARLES J. SPRAGUE

Boys Town Lakeside Medical Clinic

16929 Frances St, Ste 101 Omaha, NE 68130 531-355-4900

Children’s Physicians, Eagle Run

DEBRA K. WHALEY

Multispecialty Clinic at Village Pointe Health Center

ROBERT D. WOODFORD

MATTHEW P. WEST

10060 Regency Cir Omaha, NE 68114-3732 402-354-1325

13616 California St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68154-5336 402-496-0404

16929 Frances St, Ste 101 Omaha, NE 68130 531-355-4900

Methodist Physicians Clinic

Village Pointe Pediatrics

Nebraska Spine + Pain Center

Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery

CHRISTOPHER W. ANDERSON

OLUWASEUN A. ADETAYO, MD, FAAP, FACS

110 N 175th St Omaha, NE 68118 402-596-4411

8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4113 402-955-7450

Multispecialty Clinic At Village Pointe Health Center

JEREMY K. GALLANT

Methodist Healthwest 16120 West Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68118-3534 402-354-0707

ZACHARY T. GUSTIN

Methodist Physicians Clinic 10060 Regency Cir Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-0707

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

NAGI T. AYOUB

Westfield Plastic Surgery Center

9900 Nicholas St, Ste 300 Omaha, NE 68114-2249 402-671-7494

STEVEN M. DENENBERG, MD Denenberg Facial Plastic Surgery

7640 Pacific St Omaha, NE 68114-5421 402-391-7640

WES HECKMAN

University Of Nebraska Medical Center 42nd And Emile Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5700

MATTHEW G. HAHN OrthoNebraska

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

18018 Burke St Elkhorn, NE 68022-4417 402-573-7337

SCOTT HAUGHAWOUT

BETSY J. STEPHENSON, MD

13616 California St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68154-5336 402-496-0404

16909 Q St Omaha, NE 68135-1521 402-955-7575

JEREMIAH P. LADD

Children’s Physicians, Mission Village

110 N 175th St Omaha, NE 68118 402-596-4411

Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation

Children’s Physicians, West Village Pointe

PATRICK J. STEINAUER,MD

MICHAEL D. WEAVER

Boys Town Lakeside Medical Clinic

MELISSA L. ST GERMAIN, MD

110 N 175th St Omaha, NE 68118-3582 402-955-5437

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Nebraska Spine + Pain Center

Nebraska Spine + Pain Center

13616 California St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68154-5336 402-496-0404

RONALD R. HOLLINS Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery

17617 Burke St Omaha, NE 68118-2259 402-596-4000

PERRY JOHNSON

Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery

17617 Burke St Omaha, NE 68118-2259 402-596-4000

JASON MILLER

ANDREW SMITH

17617 Burke St Omaha, NE 68114 402-596-4000

415 S 25th Ave Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-5300

Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery

SHANNON L. WONG Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery 17617 Burke St Omaha, NE 68118 402-596-4000

Podiatry BRADLEY B. COPPLE

Think Whole Person Healthcare 7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106-2714 402-506-9127

JON R. GOLDSMITH, DPM CHI Health Clinic Foot and Ankle

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 2000 Omaha, NE 68124-2323 402-717-6870

REANEN MICHAEL

Think Whole Person Healthcare 7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106-2714 402-506-9127

SCOTT C. NELSON

Scott C. Nelson, DPM - Lakeside North Professional Building 16909 Lakeside Hills Ct, Ste 208 Omaha, NE 68130-4663 402-717-6870

Psychiatry JOSEPH KENT, MD

CHI Health Clinic Psychiatric Associates

7101 Newport Ave, Ste 204 Omaha, NE 68152 402-572-2916

HOWARD Y. LIU

Psychiatry Clinics at Poynter Hall 510 S 42nd St Omaha, NE 68131 402-552-6007

JANET P. MCGIVERN

Psychiatric Services PC 9239 W Center Rd, Ste 211 Omaha, NE 68124-1900 402-399-9305

ASHISH SHARMA

Nebraska Medicine Psychiatry Clinic at Poynter Hall 510 S 42nd St Omaha, NE 68131 402-552-6007

Lasting Hope Recovery Center

STEVEN P. WENGEL

Home Instead Center for Successful Aging (HICSA) 730 S. 38th Ave Omaha, NE 68105 402-552-6007

Pulmonology GUILLERMO HUERTA

Methodist Physicians Clinic

1120 N 103rd Plz, Ste 101 Omaha, NE 68114-1119 402-354-0120

JOSEPH H. SISSON, MD Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

STANLEY V. THOMAS, DO CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124 402-717-9600

RICHARD S. YATES

Pulmonary Medicine Institute PC 4242 Farnam St Ste 470 Omaha, NE 68131-2850 402-552-9875

Radiation Oncology

NIKHIL JAGAN

MICHAEL J. BAINE, MD

908 N Howard Ave, Ste 105 Grand Island, NE 68803 308-398-8900

505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

BRYAN KRAJICEK, MD

NATHAN R. BENNION, MD

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha NE 68124 402-717-9600

505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary

DOUGLAS R. MOORE, MD CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124-2350 402-717-9600

AMOL PATIL

Nebraska Medicine - Internal Medicine Clinic at Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha NE 68105 402-559-4015

CRAIG A. PIQUETTE

Nebraska Medicine - Internal Medicine Clinic at Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

JOHN CHRISTOPHER SHEHAN

Midwest Pulmonary / Critical Care PC 8019 Cass St Omaha, NE 68114-3525 402-390-0606

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

RANDALL THOMAS DUCKERT

Methodists Hospital Radiation Oncology

515 N 162nd Ave, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68118 402-354-4104

CHARLES A. ENKE

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

CHI LIN, MD, PHD

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

ANDREW O. WAHL

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

Radiology KIMBERLY A. APKER Radiology At University Tower 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-1010

ANGELA J. BEAVERS, MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5602

RYAN DVORAK, MD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4108 402-354-4344

SUZANNE H. HRUZA MD

CHI Health Radiology Consultants of the Midwest 7500 Mercy Rd Omaha NE 68124 402-398-6193

KYLE KREHBIEL

Radiology Consultants of the Midwest PC 14441 Dupont Ct, Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68144-2107 402-597-8775

RICHARD KUTILEK MD Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Omaha

8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114-4108 402-354-4344

JOSEPH J. MCBRIDE, MD Hixson-Lied Center 4378 Dewey Ave Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8953

CRAIG W. WALKER

Radiology at University Tower 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-1010

CHERYL A. WILLIAMS Radiology at University Tower 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-1010

Reproductive Endocrinology ELIZABETH CONSTANCE Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine 7308 S. 142 St. Omaha, NE 68198 402-717-4200

ABIGAIL A. DELANEY

Methodist Women’s Hospital

STEPHANIE GUSTIN, MD Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine

7308 S 142nd St Omaha, NE 68138-6804 402-717-4200

ELIZABETH WEEDIN Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine 7308 S 142nd St Omaha, NE 68138 402-267-9076

Rheumatology ALAN R. ERICKSON

KATHRYN S. WILDY OrthoNebraska

2727 S 144th St, Ste 240 Omaha, NE 68144-5201 402-609-1200

Sleep Medicine SALAM SALMAN

CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124 402-717-9600

Spine Surgery TIMOTHY A. BURD

Brentwood Health Center

Nebraska Spine + Pain Center

JAY G. KENIK, MD

MICHAEL C. LONGLEY

8604 Giles Rd La Vista, NE 68128 402-559-0000

CHI Health Clinic Rheumatology

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 3000 Omaha, NE 68124-2350 402-717-0750

LYNELL W. KLASSEN, MD Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

TED R. MIKULS, MD

Internal Medicine Clinic At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

13616 California St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68154-5336 402-496-0404

Nebraska Spine + Pain Center

13616 California St, Ste 100 Omaha NE 68154-5336 402-496-0404

JOHN W. MCCLELLAN, III Nebraska Spine + Pain Center

13616 California St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68154-5336 402-496-0404

ERIC D. PHILLIPS

Nebraska Spine + Pain Center

13616 California St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68154-5336 402-496-0404

JOSEPH NAHAS, MD

CHI Health Clinic Rheumatology (Lakeside)

16909 Lakeside Hills Ct, Ste 211 Omaha, NE 68130 402-717-0750

OrthoNebraska

JAMES R. O’DELL

Nebraska Medicine - Internal Medicine Clinic at Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4015

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

SCOTT A. VINCENT

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

WILLIAM R. PALMER Westroads Rheumatology Associates

NOAH E. PORTER

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// 51 //

Thoracic Surgery

CHASE C. WOODWARD Nebraska Spine + Pain Center

DAVID B. BERKHEIM, MD

13616 California St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68154-5336 402-496-0404

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-3232

Sports Medicine KIMBERLY TURMAN, MD MD West ONE

8005 Farnam Drive, #305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-4111

Surgical Oncology RYAN M. ARNOLD OrthoNebraska

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

BRIAN P. CONROY CHI Health Orthopedics

16909 Lakeside Hills Ct, Ste 208 Omaha, NE 68130 402-717-0820

CHANDRAKANTH ARE, MBBS

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

GEORGE W. DITTRICK

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5077

JASON M. FOSTER

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

986880 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-6880 402-559-8941

SCOTT B. REYNOLDS OrthoNebraska

2725 S 144th St, Ste 110 Omaha, NE 68144-5253 402-609-3000

MATTHEW A. TAO

Orthopaedics Clinic at Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-8000

QUAN P. LY

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

986880 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8941

JOSHUA M.V. MAMMEN University Of Nebraska Medical Center

986880 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198-6880 402-559-7298

BRADLEY N. REAMES, MD Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68198-0001 402-559-5600

// 52 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

RUDY P. LACKNER, MD

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-3232

KARIN P. TRUJILLO

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

982315 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68123 402-559-4389

Urology JOHN H. BISHAY

Urology Clinic At Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4292

SHAWNA L. BOYLE

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

984110 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-1318

JUDSON D. DAVIES

Urology Clinic at Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4292

JOAN C. DELTO

CHI Health Clinic Urology

7710 Mercy Rd, Ste 1000 Omaha, NE 68124 402-717-2500

HERMAN M. GREENWALD MD, FACS CHI Health Clinic Urology

7710 Mercy Rd Ste 1000 Omaha, NE 68124-2323 402-717-2500

BRETT C. HILL

The Urology Center PC

111 S 90th St Omaha, NE 68114-3907 402-397-9800

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The Urology Center PC

111 S 90th St Omaha, NE 68114-3907 402-397-9800

MICHAEL KROEGER

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111 S 90th St Omaha, NE 68114-3907 712-542-8330

CHAD A. LAGRANGE

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center 505 S 45th St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-5600

GERNON MATTHEW LONGO

University Of Nebraska Medical Center

982055 Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7300

GERNON ALFRED LONGO The Urology Center PC

111 S 90th St Omaha, NE 68114-3907 402-397-9800

JOHN M. PARK

West Dodge Medical Plaza 515 N 162nd Ave Omaha, NE 68118-2538 402-354-1200

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West Dodge Medical Plaza

PATRICK B. LEU

515 N 162nd Ave Omaha, NE 68118-2538 402-354-1200

111 S 90th St Omaha, NE 68114-3907 402-397-9800

JONATHAN R. THOMPSON

The Urology Center PC

JON J. MORTON

Urology Clinic at Lauritzen Outpatient Center 4014 Leavenworth St. Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-4292

Vascular Surgery BERNARD T. BAXTER, MD

Heart And Vascular Center At Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-7300

J. PAUL COOK, MD

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17241 Oak Dr Omaha, NE 68130-2428 402-896-1242

RAO GUTTA, MD

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// 53 //

Music,

An Ear For

GEN O // Story by Sara Locke

Giving

Photography by Bill Sitzmann // Design by Matt Wieczorek

A Heart For

T

hose red kettles seen outside grocery stores and mall entrances at holiday time garner millions of dollars for the Salvation Army. According to the organization, when a bell-ringer is standing at a kettle, it garners $25 to $50 per hour more than does an unattended kettle.

Matthew Murray, age 11, saw a lonely red kettle outside the Papillion Walmart one day in 2020 while shopping with a relative, and then asked if they could go back, with his violin in tow, so he could play carols such as “Ode to Joy” and “Adeste Fidelis” to help increase donations. The spontaneous action resulted in many shoppers giving coins and bills to this good cause, but to Murray, it was another way to combine his love of playing the violin and helping others.

Although not yet a teenager, Murray shows a maturity and composure held by few his age. But when he recounts the spark that started his passion for music, it’s easier to remember that he is a child.

“I was 4 years old and watching Peg + Cat,” Murray said. “There was an episode on where they were at the symphony with Beethoven and Mozart. They started playing a violin and it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. I told my grandma right away—‘I have to play the violin.’”

While many 4-year-olds would get a chuckle and a nod from grown-ups at such a declaration, Murray’s family had already seen enough to know better. Noting that Murray had begun reading by age 2, and excelled at it by age 3, the decision was made to do whatever was necessary to keep him engaged and challenged.

Murray learns fast, taking on pre-algebra by age 6 and studying organic science as a hobby, but music is where his greatest passion lives. // 54 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

“I’ve been playing violin for about seven years, and dancing for three years. Playing violin and keyboard really plays a part in how I dance. It helps a lot. Playing and dancing are just two different ways to understand the music.”

Director of American West Ballet, Susan Chowning, has been acquainted with the young talent for five years, and has had time to learn about the boy behind the endless skill. “Beyond his talent, his compassion for others is what really shines,” Chowning said. “I’m so thankful we’ve had the opportunity to be part of Matthew’s journey.”

Along with playing in front of red kettles, Murray volunteers to play at local nursing homes and has played for first responders.

In May 2018, he dropped by the Papillion Fire Station to thank the first responders for their service to the community, a performance that they remember to this day.

“Matthew is extremely talented, but also very thoughtful,” said Papillion Fire Chief Bill Bowes. “We were thrilled when he performed for our firefighters. It was quite a memorable show of support.”

Murray’s schedule is never too packed to find time to spread cheer, love, and the music that means so much to him.

“I just thought it would be good to do it.”

Murray said. “Just to make people smile and be happy.”

His violin instructor, Omaha Symphony violinist Anne Nagosky, said that the same goodness in his heart that drives him to want to make people smile will secure a solid future for the prodigy.

“He’s a very special kid. One of those proverbial ‘Old Souls’ in all the best ways. He’s got the most giving, warm, sweet heart.”

Nagosky said. “That drive he has, to think of these fun ways to give back, that’s just something that’s in him. So is his drive to excel at music…With music, you take your lesson of course, but you have to choose to practice daily. You have to find or make time. Murray makes time every day, but also makes time to give back, and to do it all in a really joyful way.”

That drive to excel landed him the honor of KVNO Classical Kid of the Month in August 2021. The honor comes with a $300 scholarship from the Soener Foundation, a sum that most students use to pay for lessons, which often cost over $100 a month.

“It’s supposed to be used towards furthering your musical studies,” Nagosky said.

“He wanted to give it to organizations that help kids that may not get a chance to study music.”

It’s that generous spirit that has helped him live with dedication and joy, and the world is more than ready to receive him with open arms.

“He makes his own opportunities, in general,” Nagosky said. “If there’s something he wants to do or wants to share, he finds a way to make it happen.”

Visit kvno.com for more information.

“

[The scholarship] is supposed to be used towards furthering your musical studies. [Matthew Murray] wanted to give it to organizations that help kids that may not get a chance to study music.” -Anne Nagosky JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 55 //

PROFILE // Story by Kara Schweiss

Dr. Jaime Seeman Finds Her Way to Fit and Fabulous

// 56 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Photography by Bill Sitzmann // Design by Matt Wieczorek

J

aime Seeman was an “ideal” Mrs. Nebraska 2020, said Matt Bills of Aspects & Angles Photography, who manages her media—from photography and videography to podcast production.

“Fast forward to 2019, I applied to be Mrs. Nebraska,” Seeman said, explaining that no matter how she placed, she knew the pageant would be a great platform for her message of improving health through better fitness, nutrition and self-care.

“First and foremost, she’s born and raised in Nebraska.

And she’s not just a Husker fan, she was an actual Husker athlete,” Bills said. “She’s also someone who embodies the picture of inspiration for a lot of people out there. She lives what she speaks and is incredibly authentic.”

“I was really on a mission to prove to my three daughters that we have no limits in life and that women shouldn’t be afraid of being strong…I was on a mission to inspire other women, other moms, to take control of their health. Because when you feel healthy, you can pursue so many amazing opportunities in life.”

It’s all true. Seeman was a standout softball player at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (she was then Jaime Borg).

The Mrs. Nebraska America pageant was originally scheduled Seeman is an obstetrician-gynecologist with Mid-City to take place in April 2020, but the pandemic forced delays OB-GYN in Omaha. She is a devoted mom to three girls, through spring and summer, with the event finally taking ages 6, 8, and 10. She serves as the co-medical director for place in late August in front of a masked audience. As the the health and fitness business she and husband Ben own winner, Seeman advanced to competition at the national called UPGR ADE Performance Institute. She’s built a poplevel, but the event date was a moving target as gatherings ular health and fitness brand, “Doctor everywhere were postponed or called Fit and Fabulous,” with thousands of off and travel was curtailed. social media followers. She was selected as Mrs. Nebraska 2020, then finished “Mrs. America was in limbo,” Seeman in the top 15 at the Mrs. America pag- I wanted to start leading said. As the date was pushed back fureant in March 2021. She also competed ther and further, the busy OB-GYN had on NBC’s The Titan Games, hosted by to coordinate and then cancel arrangeby example.

And then I Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, in 2020. ments several times as speculation grew that the Las Vegas-based event might thought, ‘I could change not Six years ago, however, Seeman was far happen at all. from being in top condition. Pregnant a lot of lives by getting “The 2020 pageant finally took place in with her third daughter, she was diagnosed with prediabetes and hypothyroidism.

2021. We did have to wear clear the message out there.’ March masks,” Seeman said. “It’s a story I’ll “I am supposed to be this steward of tell my grandkids someday: ‘Grandma health, I have a background in nutricompeted for Mrs. America with this tion and exercise science, and here I mask on her face.’ It was surreal but we am living with two preventable condiwere able to get it done.” tions,” she said.

Seeman said she enjoyed presenting A friend of Seeman’s was also pregnant her fitness and nutrition platform to a in 2015 and the women were due a few weeks apart. Seeman’s national audience. She was especially proud that the public friend contracted a rare fungal infection of the lungs that took chose her as the pageant’s “Fabulous Face.” her life and that of the infant boy she delivered prematurely.

Seeman was devastated at the loss, and it prompted her to “The ‘Fabulous Face’ award is not awarded by the five judges; start taking a critical look at her own health. it is voted on by America and the world online,” she said.

“That means the world to me.”

“I really gained a lot of perspective through the loss of my friend that life is really precious, and I wanted whatever Being “fabulous” actually predated the Mrs. America desigamount of time I had left on this earth to be really quality,” nation, because Seeman really does seem to have it all. she said. “I wanted to start leading by example. And then I thought, ‘I could change a lot of lives by getting the message “My life is not for everybody. I wake up every day at 4:30 [a.m.] out there.’” and I head for the gym. The mentality with doing that is that you have to ‘pay yourself first.’ There are a lot of things and people in Seeman practiced better nutrition immediately, and after my life asking for my time and energy, but I always say that you delivering a healthy girl, headed back to the gym. She felt can’t fill people’s cups if your pitcher is empty,” she said. “The better physically and psychologically as she began achieving first thing I do is work out. Then, whatever happens—people her fitness goals. Her athletic past and medical training was a might go into labor or my kids might have activities—I’ve created good base, but Seeman dove into the latest research on health a level of resilience that I can live my life.” and nutrition and made good on her intent to reach others by developing the Doctor Fit and Fabulous brand.

Visit doctorfitandfabulous.com for more information.

“

”

Dr. Jaime Seeman

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 57 //

360 T STORY BY CHRIS HATCH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

Those interested in a new adventure should follow the serpentine, cursive bend of the Missouri river down to NP Dodge Park.

At the right time, one might stumble upon a hidden gem of Omaha: NP Dodge Cricket Park, a state-of-the-art cricket facility that has become a second home for Vijaya Kumar Yajjala and his teammates on the Omaha Cricket Club.

Yajjala, who was drawn here from his native Visakhapatnam, India, by the master’s degree program in biology at University of Nebraska at Omaha over a decade ago, has watched the local cricket scene explode like a well-hit ball off his willow bat on a steamy Midwestern evening.

“I started playing in Omaha Cricket Club in 2008. When I joined, it was in the growing phase where we had only two teams in Nebraska (one from Omaha and one from Lincoln) and we used to play a game or two over the weekend.” Yajjala said.

Bashkar Setti, the commissioner of the Omaha Cricket Club since the late 1990s, has been watching his beloved game expand right alongside Yajjala. “When I came here in 1995 there [were] two teams.

And there is currently more than 20 teams in the Omaha area.”

When Yajjala first arrived in Nebraska, he saw similarities between the passion of his native countrypeople for their fiery dusktil-dawn love of cricket and the equally die-hard belief in Nebraska that when one gazes up at Memorial Stadium, they are looking at holy land—and he found comfort in that love of sports.

“I, like most Indians, am a huge cricket fan.

Cricket was in fact my first love, as we used to play day-in day-out with siblings, friends, and other family members. Cricket is on those same lines like American football, as we got it from our parents and uncles who played/watched and created that interest for us. Cricket is like a religion for us.”

Yajjala said.

// 58 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

VIJAYA KUMAR YAJJALA AND THE OMAHA CRICKET CLUB

SPORTS WHEN YAJJALA FIRST ARRIVED IN NEBRASKA, HE SAW SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE PASSION OF HIS NATIVE COUNTRYPEOPLE FOR THEIR FIERY DUSK-TIL-DAWN LOVE OF CRICKET AND THE EQUALLY DIE-HARD BELIEF IN NEBRASKA THAT WHEN YOU GAZE UP AT MEMORIAL STADIUM, YOU ARE LOOKING AT HOLY LAND—AND HE FOUND COMFORT IN THAT LOVE OF SPORTS.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 59 //

SPORTS

“SPORT IS GREAT IN ITSELF AS IT CAN BRING PEOPLE FROM T WO D I F F E R E N T T H O U G H T PROCESSES OR REGIONS OR RELIGIONS AND MAKE THEM FORM A BAND OF BROTHERS AND FIGHT FOR A COMMON CAUSE OF WINNING A GAME OR DEVELOPING A SPORT.” - VIJAYA KUMAR YAJJALA

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Setti knows where some of Yajjala’s love of the game comes from. “I remember him coming for the first year to try out the batting cages. Such a hard worker. He loved the game. Later I found out where that love came from: I had the opportunity and the privilege to talk to his dad, when he came to visit America. That’s when I realized where the passion came from. His dad is a very good cricket player and he has so much passion and love for the game.”

Cricket, for Yajjala, was the game that he was raised on and the game that he wanted to raise up.

In the sport, and in his adopted home, he was able to find kindred spirits.

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“Playing for the club definitely helped me know more people from our country as well as from other countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh,” Yajjala said.

Nebraska might have been his first time to the United States, but he quickly found himself in love with the diverse foods and the people who were significantly warmer than the prairie winds that gust through the city streets. He learned that cricket would serve as an ambassador to his new home, allowing him to find comfort in Nebraska.

“It [cricket] has also introduced us to the city more, as we had collaboration with city parks, who helped us with the grounds and their maintenance and, on occasions, [park employees] used to pitch the first ball

of our tournaments. Sport is great in itself as it can bring people from two different thought processes or regions or religions and make them form a band of brothers and fight for a common cause of winning a game or developing a sport. All the great friends I have, including my best friend, Mr. Bhaskar Krishna, are the perks of playing cricket and bonding for years in this Omaha cricket club.”

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It was in Krishna, the leader of the Omaha Cricket Club, that Yajjala was able to find a willing and able cricket co-conspirator.

“I have seen the club go through tough times when we had floods where the ground was under water but we, under Bhaskar’s leadership, rebuilt it not once but many times; not losing hope and keeping our passion alive for the sport and making sure we are able to help develop the sport.”

Yajjala said.

Setti, for his part, is equally effusive in his praise for Yajjala. “If you want to do a story about someone in the current time: he’s the guy,” Setti said. “He joined me about 10-12 years back and he started to help me. We went to 25-30 schools around the Omaha area and we donated cricket sets to the schools and introduced cricket to…more than 6,000 kids.”

Now working at Merck Animal Health, still calling Omaha home, Yajjala is putting his cricket skills to good use as a scientist.

“Playing the game helped me more with how to keep yourself calm and composed when you have a tough situation, how to handle pressure, the way we handle tough situations in the game which could be used in real life scenarios. Cricket has science to it...the trajectory and angle, etc., but it is more of an art, if you master it you will be real good.”

The cricket field has no foul territory. There are 360 degrees of opportunity.

If you make contact, the ball can be hit anywhere, which means for Yajjala and the future of this growing sport: everything is in play.

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// 61 //

GIVING

CALENDAR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 20 2 2

FEATURED EVENT

Feb.

26

Rockin’ Rosie BENEFITING: THE ROSE THEATER

Location: Omaha Marriott Downtown

Rockin’ Rosie has been the annual fundraiser for The Rose Theater for the past 30-plus years, with proceeds supporting Every Single Child. Every Single Child underwrites in-school workshops, artist residencies, performances at schools, and field trips to the theater.

—rosetheater.org

Jan. 12

Jan. 28

Feb. 10

Benefiting: National Foundation for Infectious Diseases

Benefiting: Bags of Fun Omaha

Benefiting: Junior League of Omaha

OUTLAND TROPHY AWARD DINNER

POKER NIGHT

Location: Hilton Omaha Downtown —showofficeonline.com

Locations: Modern Work Suites, Starlight Auditorium —bagsoffunomaha.org

Jan. 22

Jan. 29

Benefiting: Midlands Community Foundation

Benefiting: Duchesne Academy

40TH REFLECTION BALL

Location: Embassy Suites-La Vista —midlandscommunity.org

Jan. 22

A NIGHT IN THE EMERALIED CITY

Benefiting: Lied Center for the Performing Arts Location: Lied Center —liedcenter.org

Jan. 28

NEBRASKANS EMBRACING LIFE DINNER

CONGE

Location: Duchesne Academy —duchesneacademy.org

Jan. 29-30

KENDRA GIVES BACK EVENT

Jan.

22

Benefiting: Creighton University Dance Team Location: online —kendrascott.com

Feb. 4

MARIANFEST

KENDRA SCOTT’S SHOP FOR GOOD Location: Kendra Scott online —kendrascott.com

Feb.

10

Feb. 11

WINGS OF HOPE GALA

Benefiting: Wings of Hope

Location: Online —wingsofhope.org

Feb. 12

SWING UNDER THE WINGS

Benefiting: Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

Location: Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum —sacmuseum.org

Feb. 12

CURLY TAILS AND COCKTAILS

Benefiting: Nebraskans Embracing Life

Benefiting: Omaha Marian High School

Jan. 28

Feb. 5

Feb. 12

Benefiting: Partnership 4 Kids

Benefiting: Alzheimer’s Association

Benefiting: American Heart Association

Location: St. Vincent de Paul Parish Center —nebraskansembracinglife.org HOPS & GRAPES WINTER FESTIVAL Location: Hilton Omaha Downtown —p4k.org

// 62 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Location: Marriott Downtown Omaha —marianhighschool.net 14TH ANNUAL ULTRA CHIC BOUTIQUE Location: A View on State —maxiwalker.com/ucb

Benefiting: Pug Partners of Nebraska Location: Arbor Hall —pugpartners.com

OMAHA HEART AND STROKE BALL Location: CHI Health Center —americanheartomaha.org

// GIVING CALENDAR //

COUNSELING CONNECTIONS & ASSOCIATES

Feb. 12

CARNIVAL OF LOVE GALA

Benefiting: Heartland Family Service Location: Embassy Suites-La Vista —heartlandfamilyservice.org

Feb. 14-20

SHARE THE LOVE FOOD DRIVE

Benefiting: Food Bank for the Heartland

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Location: Various Omaha Parks and Recreation facilities —parks.cityofomaha.org

Feb. 18

ANNUAL BANQUET

Benefiting: Victory Boxing Club

#1 Counseling Services

Location: Bellevue Christian Center —victoryboxingclub.org

Feb. 19

FIESTA 2022

Benefiting: Mercy High School

19

Feb. 20

ART & SOUP

Benefiting: VNA

Location: Omaha Design Center —vnatoday.org

Feb. 24

SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON FEATURING HASAN DAVIS

Benefiting: Phoenix Academy

Location: Hilton Omaha —phoenixacademyomaha.org

Feb. 25

PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST

Benefiting: Nebraska Children’s Home Society

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// GIVING CALENDAR // Feb. 26

ROCKIN’ ROSIE

Benefiting: The Rose Theater

Location: Omaha Marriott Downtown —rosetheater.org

Feb.26

AOH AWARDS BANQUET

Savor the experience

Benefiting: Ancient Order of Hibernians Location: German-American Society Hall —aohomaha.org

Feb.

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Feb. 27

MOM PROM

Benefiting: Creighton Prep

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FEATURE

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“

continued from pg.31

This new level of care is truly cutting-edge within the sphere of catastrophic injury rehabilitation.”

-Scott Meyers

Another new technology system called functional electrical stimulation (FES) assists in the recovery process by applying electrical stimulation to a muscle or muscle group to prompt it to move throughout functional movements like cycling or stepping.

“Using traditional electrical stimulation, we could only stimulate two muscle groups at a time,” Potter explained. “Now, with FES, we are able to stimulate up to 12 muscle groups paired to functional movements. By stimulating certain muscles, we can spur neuromuscular reeducation and help someone complete more difficult tasks like walking up the stairs.”

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QLI has big plans when it comes to the future of AI and they will be employing these new “futuristic” type technologies in “smart” apartments currently being constructed on the rehabilitation campus.

“These innovative apartments will incorporate smart-home technology and voice recognition applications,” said Scott Meyers, chief technology officer at QLI. “Our clients will also be able to explore the use of technologies like virtual and augmented reality as well as robotics.”

“This new level of care is truly cutting-edge within the sphere of catastrophic injury rehabilitation,” he says.

“The capabilities artificial intelligence can bring to health care are limitless,” Ash said. “We are not even close to realizing its potential. In the future, it could lead to diagnosing conditions we didn’t even know existed before, achieving earlier detection of diseases, identifying causality and correlation between patterns so we can intervene sooner or even delay the onset of certain conditions. It stands to have a very profound impact on health care.”

Visit unmc.edu or qliomaha.com for more information.

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Design by Matt W ieczorek

Photograph Provided by March of Dimes

AN IRON-CLAD PROBLEM

HIST ORY // Story by Megan F abry

Omahans Share Memories of Experiences with Polio

P

eople in their 70s vividly remember a disease that frightened people as much as AIDS, or for many, COVID, frightens people today. A child who had been chasing friends around a piñata found themselves counting ceiling tiles in isolation, without enough strength to walk, the next day. Parents feared their children would be the next victim of the disease that claimed thousands of young lives and debilitated hundreds of thousands.

When Quick woke up the next morning, he was unable to get out of bed and was rushed to the doctor in town, who immediately called Children’s Memorial Hospital in Omaha to prepare them for Quick’s arrival. His parents jumped into action, and his father’s lead foot caused a brief setback during the three-hour trek to Omaha.

The first major documented U.S. outbreak of poliomyelitis, or polio for short, occurred in 1894 in Vermont, killing 18 people and permanently paralyzing 132. Its contagious properties were not identified until 1905 after a polio outbreak in Sweden, where it was discovered the virus could be transferred from person to person.

After explaining the situation, the officer escorted them, lights on and sirens blaring, to the hospital. Quick, and thousands of others, were subjected to painful procedures by medical professionals. Shots in the leg multiple times a day, grueling physical therapy, and isolation became a reality for polio victims in the United States.

In the early 1950s, polio became a major concern. According to the CDC, 57,628 polio cases were reported in the United States in 1952, more than 21,000 of them paralytic cases. Ted Quick was 7 years old in 1953, living a simple life in Minden, Nebraska, when he was diagnosed with polio after attending a friend’s birthday party.

Chip Mackenzie was a first-grade student in California when he was diagnosed with polio in March 1952.

“I have a brother whose birthday is September 25,” Quick said. “On the 22nd, my dad had bought a [toy] tractor that we needed to put together, so we put it together that night and I rode it all over the house. The next day, I woke up and I was kind of stiff and sore, and I thought it was strange. When I got up to go to the bathroom that night I fell down twice.

My mother heard me fall and got up to help me to the bathroom. When I laid back down in bed she said, ‘that’s OK you’re just tired.’

I just had to smile at her because I knew I had polio and Mom didn’t want to scare me.”

“I remember the isolation of the first week or so at Sacramento County Hospital and the horrible tasting medicine—they had to hold my jaw open and pour [it] down my throat,” Mackenzie said. “I was moved to Sutter Hospital, where I started physical therapy to prevent my muscles from tightening up. It was painful. After three months there, I was moved to San Francisco Children’s Hospital, where the therapy continued and resulted in my being able to walk with long leg braces and crutches.”

For the unluckiest of patients, polio would begin in their extremities and eventually move to the lungs, and many were unable to breathe

when the virus paralyzed muscle groups in the chest. These children were placed in an iron lung that assisted their breathing until they were well enough to breathe on their own. At the height of the polio epidemic, a reported 1,200 Americans relied on an iron lung to stay alive. NPR reported in October 2021 that Martha Lillard, who lives in Oklahoma, still uses an iron lung at night; the New York Post reported in early November 2021 that Paul Alexander, 75, lives in Texas and is the last person confined to an iron lung.

Early treatments for paralyzed muscles advocated the use of splints to prevent muscle tightening and rest for the affected muscles.

Many paralyzed polio patients laid in plaster body casts for months. Those long periods in a cast often resulted in atrophy of affected and healthy muscles.

The epidemic spurred research for a vaccine that had begun in the 1930s by Franklin D. Roosevelt, himself afflicted with polio, who created the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, which was quickly renamed the March of Dimes after its national campaign.

Following Roosevelt’s death in 1946, the U.S. treasury began to print Franklin’s profile on dimes in honor of his support of the March of Dimes.

With help from funds garnered through the March of Dimes, Dr. Jonas Salk created a polio vaccine that began distribution in 1955, and in 1962, an oral vaccine developed by Dr. Albert Sabin began to be used. Following the mass vaccination of children in the mid-1950s, 2,525 cases were reported in 1960 and 61 cases in 1965. Polio was declared eradicated in the United States in 1979.

“ My mother heard me fall and got up to help me to the bathroom. When I laid back down in bed she said, 'that's okay you're just tired.' I just had to smile at her because I knew I had polio and Mom didn't want to scare me. ” -Ted Quick JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 67 //

“Future generations don't even know what polio was like.

I ran into several people in the 2010s who indicated I was the first polio person they had ever met.”

-Chip Mackenzie

// HIST ORY //

“Future generations don’t even know what polio was like,” Mackenzie said. “I ran into several people in the 2010s who indicated I was the first polio person they had ever met.”

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

Although polio has been eradicated for over 40 years in the U.S., victims are still carrying the heavy burdens their disease left behind. Some found it helpful to speak about their experiences with others who have been through similar struggles.

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The Nebraska Polio Survivors Association was created in 1984 by a survivor who wanted to spread awareness about polio and post-polio syndrome. The first newsletter, printed in April 1985, said the coordinator had heard from more than 450 survivors interested in becoming a member. Support groups were set up throughout the state so those affected could receive support. Any polio survivor, family member, or member of the medical community are welcome to attend meetings or receive the organization’s quarterly newsletter.

“I believe NPSA is an important resource to respond to polio survivors’ needs for information on polio and post-polio syndrome through group meetings, educational programming, and our newsletters,” executive director Elaine Allen said. “In addition, part of our mission is to educate the public and the health care community concerning polio and post-polio syndrome. It’s important for polio survivors to understand that many times, they have to educate their health care providers about PPS because it is not a condition that is taught in most medical schools.”

Visit polioplace.org to learn more about polio and the NPSA.

@OmahaMagazine

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60 PLUS • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

60+ active living // story by Kamrin Baker photography By Bill Sitzmann // design by Derek Joy

Two Hundred Jan Mactier, Acres of Keeper of Horse-Riding Ponca Hills Farm Heaven

an Mactier’s parents often told her anything worth doing was worth doing well.

Mactier, now 71, runs the family business: Ponca Hills Farm, a premier equestrian facility in the metro. She maintains the Mactier legacy with purpose…and of course, dozens of horses.

The story of the facility is simple.

“My mother always wanted a pony for her birthday,” Mactier said. “Every birthday.

Every Christmas.”

Jan’s mother fell in love with her high school sweetheart, got her pony, and raised children who loved horses just the same.

Ponca Hills Farm opened in 1964, after Ann and J. Allan Mactier, Mactier’s parents, bought 60 acres of pastures and forests on the highest hill in Douglas County. Allan was an avid fox hunter and wanted a property on which to practice the hunt, while Ann wanted to teach people about riding horses. Together, they created one of the best equestrian facilities in the Midwest. At the time, it was reported to be the largest indoor arena between Denver and Chicago.

The barn was modeled after a World War II aircraft hangar—wide, open, and sturdy for their dreams of indoor riding.

The space seems boundless for an indoor ring: measuring 100 by 200 feet with wind blowing through the interior. In that same space and beyond, Ponca Hills Farm now offers summer camps, teaching programs, boarding, hunting, and jumping on its 200 acres. Its riding options are ample: trails, cross-country jumping, a pond to ride through, and indoor and outdoor arenas.

The life and legacy of the Mactier family trots along with the persistence of the almost 50 horses who board, train, and thrive at Ponca Hills. Their spirit is palpable and can be felt on every inch of the acreage, punctuated by old-fashioned, Nebraska-grown family pride.

“The legacy of my parents was to have Ponca Hills Farm to be inclusive, rather than exclusive; a place where all are welcome, where there is always more to learn,” Mactier said. “We are definitely local. My children are fifthgeneration Nebraskans.”

She and husband Mick Moriarty married on the property. Her grandmother’s ashes were spread in one of the pastures.

She swims in the pond on the grounds every summer and picnics underneath the rustling leaves whenever she gets // 72 //

60 PLUS • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

the opportunity. In the winter, she takes guests on horse-drawn sled rides throughout the property. Moriarty builds cross-country jumps. The couple sell walnut trees, and they regularly host competitions, rallies, and clinics.

Mactier took over the business in 2000 at age 50. This transition came after 30 years of competition. It was easy for her to get into the saddle of the family business; after all, loving horses was in her blood.

“I remember, I was 3 years old,” Mactier said. “A horse came up to me, I touched his nose, and it felt like velvet. He breathed on me, and I was in love.”

Mactier acquired her first horse when she was 9 years old, a $350 pony. It was wanted by five Olympic teams. Mactier refused to sell her horse, which ultimately competed in Munich. This was the start of Mactier’s international travels and passion for the sport.

“It’s all about the friends I’ve made and the places I’ve traveled,” Mactier said. “If you’re a Pony Clubber, you can go anywhere in the world to ride. There’s this beautiful camaraderie of loving horses.

At the barn, people aren’t necessarily the same age, but they all have one thing in common: they love horses.”

The Pony Club is an international organization of riders who often compete in horsemanship competitions and engage in regional and national rallies. Ann started the Pony Club chapter in Omaha.

As a competitor, Mactier went to a horse show at Windsor Castle (about which she said: “it’s always good to make friends with the security guards. Prince Philip could drive and he could dance.”). She flew from New York to Amsterdam with her horse. She rode on Pebble Beach countless times. Beginning in 2003, she worked as a road and competition manager, traveling throughout Europe.

She always came home.

“Nebraska makes for good footing, trails, and space,” she said. “A lot of people don’t have that anymore.”

The area is so ideal, in fact, the Fédération Équestre Internationale hosted the World Cup in Omaha in 2017. Mactier housed many friends, and Ponca Hills Farm was a sponsor of the event. Mactier said the competition was so successful that Omaha became the criteria for the federation to follow for the World Cup. She added that her coffee and food offerings 24/7 likely helped when it came to the hospitality of riders and FEI members.

Ponca Hills is mostly known as a place for local riders to call home. Students trickle in after school to take lessons, businessmen end their days with a ride around the ring, and in the summer, the property is abuzz with the wide-eyed youngsters who engage in summer camps.

Vicki Krecek, a longtime friend of the Mactier family and author of I Will Build A Barn: A History of Ponca Hills Farm, took lessons from Mactier in 1989 and has been a rider and hunter on the property ever since.

“Ponca is special because it was created on land that is hilly and has a climate influenced by the Missouri River,” Krecek said. “The land, the wildlife, the forests, are all very unique in Omaha. It is special because [the] Mactiers created it out of love for the land, horses, and educating young riders with the best instructions and facility. Jan is a task master instructor and keeper of tradition.”

Pat Tschetter has been a part of the Ponca Hills family since 1983, still taking lessons and clinics almost 40 years later.

“I love sharing all that life has to offer in terms of love of animals, love of exercise, love of knowledge and a desire to participate with the Mactier family and Ponca Hills Farm,” Tschetter said.

Some of Mactier’s sweetest memories are the simple ones on her home turf.

“When I first got my horse, I would ride bareback through the woods and into town,” Mactier said. “I would save my money and ride to the store to buy candy.

My pony liked licorice.”

Her free-spirited joy rides are a little fewer and farther between, but Mactier’s essence remains that of a girl who simply loves to ride her horse.

These days, she spends her time managing the business, conserving the property, planting flowers, maintaining beehives and enjoying every moment she can within her own little slice of heaven.

“It’s one big ecosystem,” Mactier said.

“People wonder if we’ll always be here, and we are. The trees get taller, flowers spread, fences get replaced, people leave and return, and I’m just always trying to make it better. Horses keep you humble.”

Visit poncahillsfarm.com to learn more about Ponca Hills Farm.

, "At the barn, people aren t necessarily the same age, but they all have one thing in common: they love horses." -Jan Mactier

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 • 60 PLUS

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s ’ o j o M His ng i k r Wo

a h s u l a G ck i R

s e u l B e th s e h s i D , m th y h R s Ke ep

60+ Profile

STORY BY DWAIN HEBDA PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY DEREK JOY JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 • 60 PLUS

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“He’s got such an intense b ackground in t he blues music, going b ack to Muddy Wate r s and some of t he or igin ator s of t he blues.”

-Bill Bone

“[ Jaz z] was not re ally m y t hing at t he t ime, but I wante d to be in r adio, and t hat was t he doorway to get in.” -Rick Galusha ick Galusha has packed a lot into 61 years—myriad ventures and passions that include college professor, radio show host, businessman, would-be Douglas County Register of Deeds, newspaper columnist, and general, genial community rabble-rouser.

He has done so much in so many fields, that at first glance it’s hard to spot the thread that binds them all. Music comes closest.

Galusha has known music as art, livelihood, and community, defining as it does our social, political, and generational story. These themes and more he has debated and discussed both in the college classroom and, most notably, as host of Pacific Street Blues & Americana, a fixture on KIWR 89.7 FM, The River, for three decades.

“I began dabbling in radio when I went to the University of Wyoming very briefly in the late ’70s and then came back to UNO and got into jazz and classical music,” he said. “[Jazz] was not really my thing at the time, but I wanted to be in radio, and that was the doorway to get in.”

He continued, “Then, probably in the late ’80s, there was a new radio station, KKVU, which was soft jazz. I went in and talked to the music director and he had a bunch of tapes on his desk of nationally syndicated blues programs. I’m like, ‘I can do that for you.’

He said ‘OK.’”

Galusha’s pitch, lowkey though it was, was not mere bravado. His musical knowledge was honed and curated during nearly a quarter-century working at Homer’s, the legendary Omaha record store at which he would rise from college-student clerk to CEO. “As a kid in the ’60s and really, the early ’70s, my sister would take us down to the Old Market and the original Homer’s Music store. It was just a land of enchantment,” he said. “Homer’s had a store in Westroads Mall that I would go and work in… for free, because I wanted to work there so bad.”

Working Homer’s counter in college was Galusha’s bliss, and when he rejoined the company in the late 1980s after a brief period away, he thought it would be more of the same. It wasn’t, but it taught him other sides of the music business that would inform his later endeavors.

“At that time, the guy that was running the organization was stepping out,” Galusha said. “He’d been there since the founding and he was going to move on to do other things.

Eventually that gave me the opportunity to step into the lead role.”

“Things were pretty loose,” he continued. “It wasn’t a corporate environment by any stretch of the imagination. It was kind of a mom-and-pop operation and we were developing some guidelines to be a better-run organization. There were growing moments and there were painful moments, and I loved it. But running the organization was not as much fun as running the counter.”

With Pacific Street Blues, Galusha got the chance to return to his favorite part of the music business, which is educating others on various genres, turning people on to new artists, and connecting the dots.

“I can play straight blues for three hours and I’d be quite happy, and the eight people that listened I’m sure would really enjoy it,” he said with a laugh. “The challenge is, how do I weave together a show that brings in a larger audience?”

That’s where Galusha’s knowledge of music comes in. “I’ll focus on the blues roots of Aerosmith, for instance.

We’ll play an Aerosmith track everybody knows, but not the hits. They cover Bull Moose Jackson’s “Ten Inch Record”; they cover Rufus Thomas’ “Walking the Dog.” They cover Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Eyesight to the Blind.”

“He’s got such an intense background in the blues music, going back to Muddy Waters and some of the originators of the blues,” said Bill Bone, a longtime listener and friend. “He then incorporates that into the more modern music and how the old ones influenced the new ones. He’s introduced me to some things, Johnny Winter for one.”

Galusha counterbalances his expertise in classic rock and roots music with today’s influences, something he’s exposed to through his teaching gig at Bellevue University.

His musical sphere seeps into his lectures and their tracks reverberate back to him. In many instances, he likes what he hears.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 • 60 PLUS

// 77 //

“I think modern music is much more overt than it was for a very long time,” he said. “When we look at the political messaging in popular music, there was a significant lull in the ’80s and ’90s. But when I hear music the students are listening to, it’s highly politicized.

I would describe it as very socially aware, very socially engaged while they’re getting that beat into their head.”

Galusha uses the same tactics with students as he does with listeners to drive home the point that the messages of today were written yesterday in the hopes of a better tomorrow. And if there’s a running theme for his radio show—which, with the addition of a podcast, shows no signs of slowing down—he wants that to be it.

“Someone once told me, ‘You’re a teacher. That’s all you do,’” he said. “I enjoy building that bridge of using classic rock, tying it back to the blues, and helping people begin to build those connections.

And I love doing that.

That’s the art of what I’m trying to accomplish, to make it entertaining and yet informative and challenging.”

Visit 897theriver.com for more information.

We don’t need help to burp, and our lower esophageal sphincter works much better than an infant’s.

-Dr. Amber Tyler

d i c e i n M e k with c a u Q Staying Power Silly, and Dangerous, Medical Myths from the Past 60+ nostalgia // story by Tamsen Butler // photography provided // design by Derek Joy

ocaine being used as a cure for depression; tobacco for constipation; and lobotomies for mental illness. Medical science has boasted some bizarre treatments and theories in years past, but some medical myths have staying power thanks to grandparents passing down “medical knowledge” that are accepted as fact in families.

Sugar makes kids hyper. Medical research shows no link between sugar consumption and hyperactivity with neurotypical children. Sugar is typically present in social situations in which kids are expected to be high-energy, such as cake at a birthday party, but in these instances it’s probably the child’s excitement causing the hyperactive behavior as opposed to the sugar consumed.

Cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis. Cracking knuckles has not been proven to be detrimental nor beneficial to joints, but there is also no research to support the idea that cracking knuckles will eventually lead to arthritis.

Some knuckle crackers may experience temporary inflammation in their fingers, but actual injuries from cracking knuckles are rare.

Nurse practitioner Amy Wallingford said there are some medical myths that she encounters frequently with patients that she has to debunk, much to the patients’ surprise.

You need to stay awake if you’ve had a concussion. It was once assumed that allowing a person with a concussion to fall asleep might lull the person into a coma or death, but this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, sleep is one of the most powerful recovery methods for people with brain injuries within the first few days of the injury. It’s important to note that sleep isn’t advised in concussed patients until they receive medical care if they’re unable to carry on a conversation or walk, or they have dilated pupils.

Wandering uteruses and hysteria, oh my! “This is straight up funny,” said Wallingford, explaining that medical professionals once believed in “wandering uteruses.” Depending on where the uterus wandered within a woman’s body, physicians could pinpoint the reason for her various maladies. Of course, in modern society, it’s well known that the uterus doesn’t actually travel throughout the body mischievously.

Putting butter on a burn. “This can actually hold the heat and it creates a good environment for bacteria to grow,” Wallingford said. This myth can be traced back to a battlefield medicine manual in the 19th century, but going even further back to ancient Egypt, mud and excrement were the remedies of choice for burns and injuries.

Using whiskey for teething babies.

Though it’s not known when this medical advice first came to be, it is known that doctors gave this advice to parents in the mid-1800s. It was more about getting the baby to sleep and less about relieving gum pain. Consider the ratio of a baby to an adult and it becomes clear how even a little alcohol rubbed on a baby’s gums can translate into a dangerous dosage.

Cold/wet weather makes you sick. The cold isn’t directly responsible for getting people sick, although some viruses thrive in lower temperatures and cold air can indeed lower the immune system’s ability to fight off infections. Spending more time indoors during cold weather means more time spent around other people and therefore more opportunities to encounter germs. But cold weather alone won’t make you sick; that’s the work of a virus or bacteria.

Chewing gum stays in your stomach for seven years. While it’s true that your body won’t digest chewing gum after it’s swallowed, the body does still move the gum through the digestive system safely.

The gum winds up in stool, fairly intact, and takes a few days to work its way through the body—but not seven years.

You should wait an hour after eating before you go swimming. This myth originally stemmed from the idea that the stomach pulled so many bodily resources to digest food that the arms and legs wouldn’t be able to function properly while swimming, leading to drowning.

While it’s true that some foods at certain quantities might cause stomach discomfort if you exercise right after eating them, it’s unlikely to lead to anything more than uncomfortable cramps.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 • 60 PLUS

// 79 //

Is it possible that there are medical practices accepted today as fact that will someday be regarded as myth? Consider this advice from Dr. Amber Tyler: “Babies don’t need to be burped,” said Dr. Tyler. “At some unknown point a long time ago, someone was probably trying to soothe a fussy baby by patting them on the back and the baby burped, and they decided babies must need help to burp and told all their friends. So now everyone burps babies. Physiologically that doesn’t make much sense. We don’t need help to burp, and our lower esophageal sphincter [opens easily as] an infant.

With their laxer lower esophageal sphincter it should actually be easier for them to burp than it is for adults.”

“There have now actually been studies done that show that the only significant difference between babies who were burped and babies who weren’t is that burped babies spit up more,” explained Dr. Tyler, shattering a medical myth long-held by parents in Western culture.

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STORY & PHOTO PROVIDED

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A PLACE TO CALL HOME

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residents—the same residents with whom the staff knows by first name, listens to their life experiences, laughs with, and shares a hug. The staff understands that above all of the services they provide, when they are at work, they are in someone’s home—and home is where family and friends belong.

Parsons House’s professional staff is at the core of their residents’ experience.

The staff’s attentiveness and availability is evidenced by the interaction with the

Parsons House is uniquely designed to create a warm and inviting home atmosphere. The grand dining room, aptly named “Seasons,” overlooks the scenic landscape of Champions Run Golf Course. The Reeves and their staff take pride in the trained chef, who offers homemade meals created from fresh ingredients that rotate with the season.

Directly adjacent is Champions Tavern, where residents and family may gather

estled in the quiet neighborhood of Champions Run, directly across the street from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Parsons House is Omaha’s leading assisted living and memory care facility. The facility is a family-owned property with long ties to the Omaha community. Kim and Andrew Reeves believe the primary focus should be entirely on compassion, quality care, and living life to the fullest. As a single-owned property, there are no multi-levels of management to navigate.

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to enjoy a cocktail and watch Nebraska football together. The French Press Bistro greets residents and visitors and offers them a light breakfast or lunch and custom coffee. Other amenities include Reflections—a salon and spa, children’s playground, wellness gym and courtyard, chapel, and great room. Externally, the secured, landscaped grounds are among the best and largest in the city.

Parsons House features a specially designated memory care division, known as The Cottages, that addresses the unique and specific needs for a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or other memory disorders. From the generous use of natural light, pleasing colors, and familiar furnishings, this division instills a sense of comfort, promotes self-esteem, and nurtures independence, with the full spectrum of care given to all residents.

The staff at Parsons House invite interested persons, and their families, to visit them in order to discuss each potential resident’s unique situation, and leave with the confidence that their loved one’s needs will be met. Parson’s House believes potential residents and their families will agree that this is the best care facility in Omaha..

14325 Eagle Run Drive Omaha, NE 68164 402-498-9554 parsonshouseseniorliving.com

OBVIOUSLY OMAHA // STORY BY TERRY JENSEN // PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED

01

SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT PODCASTS WITH A LOCAL VOICE

Omaha has a number of local podcasts available to stream or download.These programs feature a hometown perspective on topics such as gaming, music, and food; some are even generated by business and media organizations. The following local podcasts all offer a Midwestern view on popular issues and will inspire laughter, new ideas, and maybe even an appetite. They are available for listening or downloading.

1

FATURDAY

The Faturday team shares inspirations for places to eat. It all started in 2018 with lunch, where friends Sam Rocha, Dave Zorko, and T.J. would catch up and eat amazing food.

One meal led to another, and the Faturday Omaha podcast was born. The trio explore the food scene in Omaha and the people who make it happen. They share insights about great places to eat and chat with restaurant owners and their staff behind the scenes.

—feed.podbean.com/faturdayomaha/feed.xml

2

LIVES RADIO SHOW & PODCAST WITH STUART CHITTENDEN

This podcast offers a look at community, culture, business, and more in a weekly conversation with brand consultant and conversationalist Stuart Chittenden. Guests from the Midwest and beyond discuss topics encompassing politics, business, media, community activism, philanthropy, arts and humanities, and more. Chittenden offers support of the metro community in all its diversity through sharing stories that move and inspire people and communities.

—livesradioshow.com

3

PACIFIC STREET BLUES AND AMERICANA

Pacific Street Blues and Americana weaves together a divergent mix of old and new blues against a texture of Americana roots and the rock bands listeners either grew up with, or wish they had.

Pacific St. Blues and Americana is a knowledgeable, Omaha-centric radio show and podcast for those who hold a lust in their hearts to hear new music anchored in the love and lore from the blues to those halcyon music days gone-by.

—podomatic.com/podcasts/kiwrblues

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PUNCHBOARD PARADISE

Those interested in board games will appreciate this podcast featuring friends Chad Jacobson, Richie Turner, and Clef Haworth. Episodes are released biweekly, with a focus on topics in the board game world, particularly regarding targeted-audience board games such as Ticket to Ride (as opposed to family games such as Scrabble). The primary elements of each episode include a review of the hottest new targeted-audience games, or a draft in which the hosts try to assemble the best unique list of games that fulfill a certain topic. They credit much of their success to their fantastic group of listeners, dubbed the Punch Bunch.

—punchboardparadise.com

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THE WEEKLY GEEKLY

The Weekly Geekly was formed in 2016 with the simple premise of being a safe place to “geek out” with friends, and quickly became a place to explore new and fascinating media and creators. Since its inception, the podcast has ventured deep into geekdom while giving some exciting commentary on events, shows, comics, and local Omaha music. TWG is also a home for mini-series shows such as “Omaha Local Music Series,” “Skillpoint,” “Anime,” and “Dr.RavenWood’s Slasher Files,” a horror show exploring the Slasher genre.

—synnation.net/twg

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WHAT’S UP OMAHA WITH SMALL GUY PROMOTIONS

Host and owner of local business Small Guy Promotions, Danell Taylor launched What’s Up Omaha with an intent to spotlight positivity and support local in the Omaha area. Taylor’s objective is to help organizations and individuals get the support they need in order to grow. Guests include small business owners, leaders of community organizations, artists, and friends. Taylor discusses everyday life from the perspective of a family man who works hard for his dreams.

—smallguypromo.com

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PHOTOGRAPHY

BY BILL SITZM

ANN // DESIGN

BY MATT WIECZ

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DINING FEATURE Story by Tara Spencer

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Being in Imani Murray’s presence is like drinking one of her creations—one is filled with a vitality that makes a person feel good.

time for her other interests, such as caring for her own mother with her job as a roller skating and art, an interest teacher, had Type 2 diabetes. that seems to run in the family. Her father, Neville Murray, was a direc- At that time, Neal was spending a lot of time The building exterior of her business, Ital Vital tor at Love’s Jazz and Arts Center at home caring for her then-4-year-old son, so Living on 24th Street, does the same. The bright and a painter whose work reflected she offered to prepare healthy meals for the two turquoise background is scattered with painted his Caribbean roots. Her mother is a women that they could eat when they needed. fruits and confetti. Greeting patrons at the drivepainter, graphic designer, and sketch “My son has some digestive issues, so he has a thru window of what was once The Cooler Snoartist who also plays a role as creative lot of things that he can’t eat as well,” she said.

Balls shop is a portrait of a woman in a colorful director for Ital Vital. Murray said “I was like, 'Let me just make you what I make head wrap with a bowl of fruit sitting atop it. in addition to the mural he created him, but for an adult.’”

The sprawling panorama was painted by her for her business, brother Marcus is brother, Marcus Murray. a graffiti artist and illustrator. Her Neal said after finishing culinary school and brother Nathan Murray prefers having her baby boy, she realized that working The mural represents the former Central High working with clay and ceramics. “It’s in someone else’s kitchen wasn’t going to work School student’s journey into veganism, which funny...a lot of them are focused on for her. “I kind of put my dreams of having began in 2016 and was spurred by health art right now and I’ve done art, but my own restaurant or business on the back troubles within her family. “It was really just my focus now is Ital Vital Living,” she burner and just kind of figured it would never motivation...what can I do to be healthy, and said. Murray’s artistic outlet now is happen,” she said. It was her mother who even what can I start doing for myself to be an creating juices, smoothies, and decora- encouraged her to pursue meal prepping for example for my family so they could start being tive smoothie bowls. others. “She had coworkers that were always healthier, so we can all take care of ourselves asking her what she was eating, where she got and our bodies better?”

While Murray’s juices and smoothies it from,” Neal said. are tasty and can certainly be filling, she Those questions led her to explore a plantrealizes people like options. That’s why After starting with a Google form on Facebook based diet. She said her family already ate what she partners with two other local, Black and 10 friends and family members signing most would consider healthy meals, with lots women-owned businesses, Nature’s Soul up, Prepped by Lauren took off. “It was like of vegetables, rice, and chicken. Her father and Prepped by Lauren, offering their super, super quick, and it just has kind of was originally from Jamaica, so he would food products alongside her own. blown up since then,” Neal said. Besides the make jerk chicken and other well-seasoned meal prep, she offers private chef sessions and dishes. “He was just a good cook,” Murray Ital Vital carries protein balls from catering. And of course, she has the partnersaid. “I think that’s the biggest thing. Like Nature’s Soul, which Murray described ship with Murray and Ital Vital. when you have a good cook...you can make as “energy balls with protein and granola.” healthy food good.”

“They’re so good,” she added. “They’re Neal said the two women are essentially addictive.” Her vegan options from related. “Our family is very big and very That idea of making healthy food with flavor Prepped by Lauren include a variety of complicated,” she added. “But basically, we’re is one she clearly keeps in mind when making salads and wraps, such as the chickpea all sisters.” her own creations. She adds cardamom and wrap, which Murray said is “almost like ginger to many of her favorites, though she a tuna salad without the tuna.”

With Murray’s sister Latisha Taylor Burrell said she sometimes has to reign herself in helping to handle the business side of Ital on the ginger. “We love ginger,” she said Murray actually started documenting her Vital, it’s clear the entrepreneurial spirit of her family. health journey on YouTube, where interest is strong in this family. “I didn’t always in the smoothie bowls and juices she was know I was going to be an entrepreneur Her Jamaican roots were also an influence. creating for herself quickly grew. “She really at a young age,” Murray said. “That was Ital is derived from the word vital, and is blew up,” said Prepped by Lauren owner never like, the plan.” Fortunately for Omaha, part of the belief system of the Rastafari Lauren Neal. Once Ital Vital opened shop, plans change, and now the 23-year-old has movement. One aspect of the belief is that Murray approached Neal about adding plans to expand. one should eat what is grown in the earth her food to the mix. “And I was like, ‘yeah, around them in its pure form. But it’s not let’s do it!’”

“This is our first spot,” she said. “I would just eating healthy. “[It’s] your way of life, love to have another spot, get kind of a how you go about things,” Murray said.

Neal supplies Ital Vital with healthy, ready- chain going on. I also really want to just “Because it’s not just what the food is like, to-go vegan meals she makes through her grow—grow social media, grow my brand it’s what you put on your body...how you multifaceted food business. Like Murray, platform online, and build that so it can take care of yourself and stuff like that. So Neal also started out preparing healthy meals reach people internationally, outside of it all ties into ital.” for her family members. Her grandmother, just Omaha.” who recently passed away from congestive While starting her own business has taken heart failure, needed heart-healthy meals. Visit italvitalliving.com for more information. up a lot of her time, Murray tries to make Neal’s mother, who was trying to balance

Her Jamaican roots were also an influence. Ital is derived from the word vital, and is part of the belief system of the Rastafari movement. One aspect of the belief is that one should eat what is grown in the earth around them in its pure form.

“Because it’s not just what the food is like, it’s what you put on your body...how you take care of yourself and stuff like that.

So it all ties into ital.”

// Photography by Bill Sitzmann // Design by Matt Wieczorek

On the Road to Conscious Comforts

LAUREN WRIGHT COOKS HER WAY TO PLANT-BASED HEALTH // 86 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

DINING PROFILE // Story by Tara Spencer

W

hen life handed Lauren Wright an autoimmune disease, she made cakes; and potato salad, cinnamon rolls, and runzas.

After being diagnosed with psoriasis at 19, Wright decided to take control of her own health. She had looked into some online support groups, and a lot of what she read concerned her. Members said that certain medications or steroids would work, but then symptoms would come back and get worse. “And I was like, ‘I cannot have this get worse. I can’t do that,’” Wright said.

People in those groups also discussed how cutting out certain foods had helped them. She experimented with eliminating dairy, gluten, and meat. As she learned, she thought about how there must be other people in her community adjusting their diets to help with health issues. Wright realized maybe she could make it a little easier for them. That’s how Conscious Comforts was born.

“Lauren approached me—she was vegan by that time— and she approached me with the idea of a plant-based business,” said Alexis Jensen, Wright’s best friend and business partner. Jensen was in.

They had met through their then-boyfriends, nowhusbands. The two women quickly became friends and eventually roommates. When they lived together, Jensen said they stayed up late at night, talking about one day opening a restaurant.

“We wanted an avocado-based restaurant, because we both love avocados,” she added. “Then it was just kind of like a pipe dream. We never really did anything with it.”

Then, Wright decided she wanted to share her newfound interest and expertise, so she started a cottage bakery out of her kitchen. By January 2020, Jensen had joined the team, and they were in a rented certified kitchen.

“I didn’t really know what I was getting into, and then COVID happened,” Wright said. “We learned as we went.”

During that time, they added family-style pan meals to their menu, and the orders for cakes and other baked goods continued to roll in. Wright said a lot of what they have on their menu came from customers inquiring about items they could safely eat without worrying about food allergies. “I’d say our customers have really kind of told us where we need to be,” she added.

Wright said while she had always found cooking to be a comforting experience, it wasn’t something she was passionate about. Becoming a vegan pushed her to branch out, and she realized she loved recreating the comfort foods she’d grown up eating. “It was like… almost a challenge for myself to do that,” she said. “I was definitely self-taught but [it] came out of necessity.”

Some of those foods were items that were popular in her family. Her mom would make her own version of runzas using croissant dough, and her dad made a delectable potato salad, which Wright has incorporated in her menu. “It’s just like how I remember my dad

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

making it,” she said. “But we do a lot of dill pickles in ours, and he never measured. He’d just keep tasting until it [was] right.”

As a child, Wright said she spent a lot of time at her grandparents’ houses two blocks away from her childhood home. Her grandmother’s specialty was chicken salad, and Wright said she would make “huge vats” of it to eat throughout the week, or for family events. “She always put smoked almonds in it, and then mayo and celery and all that kind of stuff...I do pumpkin seeds to avoid nut allergies, but I kind of recreated that as an ode to her.”

“We’re

fortunate enough to be almost two Conscious Comforts started as a pickup years and delivery service, and while they would like to expand their pickup area, opening a into this. restaurant is no longer on the table. Jensen said having seen how much it takes, the We’ve cost and the risk, it’s not something they got our are interested in doing. own “We’re fortunate enough to be almost two kitchen years into this,” she said. “We’ve got our now, own kitchen now, and we don’t have a business loan…and we have no intention and we don’t of doing that.” have a Wright’s advice to anyone thinking about business starting a business is to “just go for it,” and those who are presented with no answers loan… and what appears to be a dead end should and we keep looking. have no It’s the same philosophy she employed when intention she was first diagnosed and her treatment options seemed limited. The dermatologist of doing she went to tried to get her to use steroids, that.” and that wasn’t something she wanted. “I had read that they [could] thin your skin and -Alexis stuff like that, and simple scratches would Jensen While Wright feeds the creative side, Jensen handles the day-to-day running of the business. Her work as an assistant to Milton Yen of Hiro helped inform her on what that entails.

take a little longer to heal,” she said, adding that it was frustrating, as she felt like she wasn’t being heard. “There are the right doctors out there, and I could have kept looking,” she said. “But I, at that point, felt discouraged and ended up finding what worked for me.”

Ultimately, what worked for her was veganism and taking probiotics, which she regularly does. And she has found that she can eat gluten, within reason. “Different things work for different people,” she said. Now her goal is to help others find what works for them in their journey to better health.

Visit consciouscomforts.com for more information. // 87 //

2022

a t h ’ s W the

? e c ı u J se n a e l c y ida post- h o l h e lpfu l may b e

As the new year commences, the richness of winter holiday treats often makes people feel sluggish. Add to that the fact that “lose weight” is a New Year’s resolution for about 40% of people, and January becomes the perfect time to try a juice cleanse.

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any people in my circle of friends had said how good juice cleansing made them feel, and how much weight they lost. There are several places in Omaha that provide juice cleanses. Evolve Juicery & Kitchen is one that offers a wide variety of juices that are coldpressed, meaning a hydraulic press uses thousands of pounds of pressure to extract the maximum amount of liquid from fresh fruits and vegetables.

The 4 p.m. hour brought with it a novel and 16 ounces of water. Twenty minutes later, my head hurt. The instruction to drink a little bit of caffeine should have been to drink one full mug. An hour-long nap relieved this problem. At 6 p.m., I looked in the mirror. My face and stomach looked thinner, my collarbone more pronounced.

Evolve specializes in paleo and keto diets, neither of which work well for this predominately plant-consuming editor, but their juice cleanse is offered in one, two, or three-day options.

Three hours and three juices to go. The next drink was the “pucker up granny,” a simpler concoction of green apple, ginger, and lemon. The 16-ounce drink was about 360 calories, with 84 grams of carbohydrates and 6 grams of protein. The label did not lie. This tasted lemony and sour. This was the only unpleasant beverage.

“Have you ever done a cleanse before?” the clerk on the other end of the phone asked. No, but let’s go for broke, I said. “You might not want to do that,” she said. “You’ll, uh…you’ll be spending a lot of time in the bathroom.”

It was not the idea of frequent trips to the toilet that held me to one day, but the price—$45 for six juices per day. Evolve offers packaged juice cleanses, such as the spicy cleanse or the simply cleanse. I chose juices a la carte at the same price.

Having stayed up until 1 a.m. the night before my cleanse day, I awoke at 10 a.m. ready for a liquid-filled day—and already felt behind schedule. The clerk said that those who drink caffeine regularly should drink coffee or tea, black, before starting on the juices. “Otherwise you’ll have a headache,” the clerk said. Instead of my normal coffee, I brewed a cup of tea, drank two swallows of bitter black liquid, and tossed the rest down the drain.

The first juice to drink in the cleanse is an eight-ounce bottle titled “the anti.” This is coconut water, lemon juice, turmeric, ginger, lime, and cayenne pepper. It contains 50 calories, 13 grams of carbs, 1 gram of sugar, 0 protein, and tastes like lemon and ginger.

Lemon and ginger, incidentally, became the theme of the day. Three of the six juices contained both ingredients.

The instructions are to try and space out the juices by two hours, with 16 ounces of water in between. That’s why the 11 a.m. hour brought the consumption of 16 ounces of water before leaving to run errands, including going to the grocery store on a stomach full of liquid.

The errand run meant missing the noon drink. At 1 p.m., I consumed the first of my three green juices, the clean green. This bottle contained the juices of green apple, cucumber, kale, and celery along with ginger and lemon. It had 92 calories, 16.3 grams of carbohydrates, 1.2 grams of fat, and 4.7 grams of protein. It tasted crisp, with the distinct flavors of tart apple and cucumber. Those who are not a fan of kale should not worry. The vitamins from kale are there, but not the taste.

At this point, the cleanse would end at 9 p.m. As someone who often retires for the evening at 9 p.m. with a book, this timeframe left me feeling anxious.

The next two hours consisted of unloading the groceries and sitting in front of the television while consuming another 16 ounces of water. At 2:55 p.m., I opened a bottle titled “beet it,” a concoction of cucumber, orange, beetroot, and ginger juices. It tasted earthy, with a distinct flavor of beetroot, but it was not overpowering. It also contained 140 calories, 34 grams of carbs, and 4 grams of protein. The other option for this juice was “tropical beets,” which contains pineapple and pear juices and, the clerk said, tastes less like beets.

T h i s i s co co n u t wat e r, l e m o n j u i c e , t u r m e r i c, g i n g e r, li m e , a n d cay e n n e pe ppe r. It co ntai n s 50 calo ri es, 13 g rams o f ca r b s, 1 g r a m o f s u g a r, 0 p r ot e i n , a n d tas t e s li k e l e m o n a n d g i n g e r . // 90 //

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The carrot apple juice came one-and-a-half hours and 16 ounces of water later. It was fine. The drink was made from the juice of carrots and green apples, and contained 220 calories, 54 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of protein.

The clock striking 9 p.m. brought with it the juice titled “simply greens.” One of the clerk’s instructions had been to end on the simply greens because of the reduced sugar.

This juice contained 70 calories, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 6 grams of protein. It is a combination of cucumber, romaine, spinach, celery, and lemon juices with cayenne pepper—essentially a salad in a bottle—and a tasty way to get the vitamins from these vegetables. After drinking apple-based juices all day, it came across as bitter.

Sugar count is one disadvantage of a juice fast. According to WebMD, those doing a juice cleanse should try to keep a ratio of 3:1 vegetables to fruits. If each of these three juices containing green apple held the juice of one medium apple, that is approximately 27 grams of sugar.

Another disadvantage is protein. This combination of juices contains 22 grams of protein. The average man or woman in America weighs around 200 pounds, according to healthline.com, and should eat about 75 grams of protein daily.

The calorie count for the day came out to under 1,000 calories.

The best number of the cleanse came at 6 a.m. the following morning, when the number on the scale reduced by 1/2 a pound.

Although the caffeine headache starting again in the back of my head felt terrible, seeing that number felt fantastic.

Visit eattoevolve.com for more information.

evolve juicery & kitchen 15514 spaulding plaza - 402.885.8498 juice Service ambiance price overall

N/A $$$ 5 stars possible

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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Nacho Typical Family Restaurant! xican Dining Me

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DINING GUIDE

Get a Little Get Saucy.

TED AND WALLY’S - $ 1120 Jackson St. - 402.341.5827

a Little Saucy. CHANGE SPEZIA SPECIALTIES

Appetizers

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Filet mignon is also offered for those who appreciate nationally renowned Nebraska beef. To complement your dining experience, the restaurant offers a full bar and extensive wine list. Be sure to leave room for homemade desserts, like the tiramisu and cannoli. MondayThursday 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 p.m. Reservations recommended.

—pastaamore.com

4524 Farnam St. - 402-991-7724

SPEZIA - $$$ 3125 S. 72nd St. - 402.391.2950

R AT H S K E L L E RO M A H A .C O M

Choose Spezia for lunch or dinner, where you’ll find a casual elegance that’s perfect for business guests, get-togethers, or any special occasion.

Exceptional food, wine, and service, with a delectable menu: fresh seafood, certified Angus steaks, innovative pasta, risotto, gnocchi, cioppino, lamb, entrée salads, Mediterranean chicken, flatbreads, and fresh salmon daily. Enjoy a full bar, Italian and California wines, Anniversary/ Lovers’ Booth (call to reserve), private dining rooms, and wood-fired grill. Open Monday-Sunday. Cocktail hour 4-6 p.m., when all cocktails, glasses of wine, and beers are half price. Evening reservations recommended. —speziarestaurant.com

FREE PARKING . LIVE MUSIC . BIER GARDEN

STEAKS • CHOPS • SEAFOOD ITALIAN SPECIALTIES 7 private party rooms Seating up to 400 Lots of parking

The restaurant is located in a residential neighborhood, surrounded by charming homes. Everyone is greeted with homemade bread, a bowl of fresh tomatoes and basil, a bowl of ovenroasted garlic cloves, specially seasoned olive oil, and (at night) a jug of Chianti!

The menu includes a large variety of pasta, chicken, veal, seafood, and even a delicious New York steak. Traditional dishes such as lasagna, tortellini, and eggplant parmigiana are also available.

Lunch offerings include panini, salads, and one of the best pizzas in town. Patio seating, full bar, and a great wine list complete the atmosphere. No reservations, except for private rooms. —losolemio.com

h Steak ouse

2022 Winner

1620 S. 10th Street

402-345-8313

www.casciossteakhouse.com

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 95 //

Omaha

DINING GUIDE

MEXICAN FERNANDO’S - $ 7555 Pacific St. - 402.339.8006.

380 N. 114th St. - 402.330.5707

MODERN COCKTAILS MIXED WITH AMERICA’S MUSIC

3825 N. 30 TH ST., OMAHA, NE @JOHNNYTSBARANDBLUES

Featuring Sonoran-style cooking made fresh daily. Catering and party rooms also available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m.

—fernandosomaha.com

LA MESA - $$ 158th St. and W. Maple Rd. - 402.557.6130 156th and Q streets - 402.763.2555 110th St. and W. Maple Rd. - 402.496.1101 Fort Crook Rd. and Hwy 370 - 402.733.8754 84th St. and Tara Plaza - 402.593.0983 Lake Manawa Exit - 712.256.2762 Enjoy awesome enchiladas, fabulous fajitas, seafood specialties, mouthwatering margaritas, and more at La Mesa. Come see why La Mesa has been voted Omaha’s No. 1 Mexican restaurant 18 years in a row. Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

—lamesaomaha.com

ROMEO’S MEXICAN FOOD AND PIZZA - $ 90th and Blondo streets - 402.391.8870 146th St. and W. Center Rd. - 402.330.4160 96th and L streets - 402.331.5656 Galvin and Avery roads - 402.292.2028 29th and Farnam steets - 402.346.1110 Romeo’s is your friendly, family Mexican food and pizza restaurant.We take real pride in serving our guests generous portions of the freshest, most flavorful dishes made with the finest ingredients available. Zesty seasonings and the freshest ingredients combine to ensure the ultimate in flavor. Our savory taco meat is prepared every morning at each location. Make sure to try our chimichangas; they’re the best in town.

—romeosomaha.com

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+

// 96 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

SPECIAL DINING CRESCENT MOON ALE HOUSE - $ 3578 Farnam St. - 402.345.1708 Founded in 1996, we’ve grown into Beer Corner USA with the additions of The Huber Haus German Beer Hall, Max and Joe’s Belgian Beer Tavern, and Beertopia—Omaha’s Ultimate Beer Store.

With more than 60 beers on tap and Omaha’s best Reuben sandwich, we are a Midtown beer-lover’s destination. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Kitchen hours: Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight.

Closed Sunday.

—beercornerusa.com

RATHSKELLER BIER HAUS-$$ 4524 Farnam St. - 402.991.7724 Rathskeller Bier Haus celebrates daily with German beer, wurst and many other menu items. Within arm’s reach of the Blackstone District and historic Dundee. Rathskeller Bier Haus is our German castle and designed to bring the storied traditions of Bavaria to the beating heart of Omaha’s metro area.

Come enjoy our large outdoor beer garden and four legged friends are welcome. Prost! Open daily 11 a.m.-Late.

—rathskelleromaha.com

GREEK ISLANDS - $ 3821 Center St. - 402.346.1528 Greek cuisine with specials every day at reasonable prices. We are well-known for our gyro sandwiches and salads. We cater and can accommodate a party for 65 guests. Carry-out and delivery available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

—greekislandsomaha.com

Omaha’s Riverfront Entertainment Venue

Omaha

DINING GUIDE 168th & •West WEDDINGS PARTIESCenter • EVENTS 11th & Harney motsomaha.com

JAMS OLD MARKET • 1101 Harney St • Happy Hour M-F 3pm-6pm

STEAKHOUSES CASCIO’S - $$ 1620 S. 10th St. - 402-345-8313 Cascio’s is Omaha’s No. 1 steakhouse. We have been serving Omaha for 69 years.

We feature steaks, chops, seafood, and Italian specialties. We have seven private party rooms, seating for up to 400 people, and plenty of parking.

—casciossteakhouse.com

JAMS MIDTOWN • 7814 West Dodge Road • Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm BOOK 2022 EVENTS NOW!

402-342-7827

• WEDDINGS • PARTIES • EVENTS • REUNIONS • MEETINGS 151 FREEDOM PARK ROAD • OMAHA www.rivercitystar.com

JAMS LEGACY • 17070 Wright Plaza • Party Rooms & Patios • jamseats.com

Take Out & Delivery Available Online Ordering Available at Bellevue & Millard Locations

THE DROVER RESTAURANT & LOUNGE - $$$ 2121 S. 73rd St. - 402-391-7440 Famous for the original Whiskey Steak.

Truly a one-of-a-kind Midwestern experience. Excellent food, wine, service, and value. Rare...and very well done. Lunch Monday­- Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., cocktail hour 3-6 p.m., dinner nightly 5 p.m.

—droverrestaurant.com

Please Check Website for Hours of Operation Sports Bar

402.339.1944

402.505.6660

402.932.1944 DINING GUIDE LEGEND

varsityromancoinpizza.com

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+ h Steak ouse

ek Dining Gre

2022 First Place

2022 First Place

@The Drover Restaurant & Lounge | Gift Cards Available 2121 S. 73 St. | (402) 391-7440 | DroverRestaurant.com Open Monday - Friday 11am - 2pm | Dinner nightly from 5pm

Family Owned Since 1983 CATERING / PARTY ROOM AVAILABLE HOMEMADE, FRESH FOOD, ALWAYS.

3821 Center St. / 402.346.1528 GreekIslandsOmaha.com JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 97 //

// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

RYAN HURD: TOUR DE PELAGO Jan. 22 at Bourbon Theatre, Lincoln. This

NEBRASKA HANGOVER BALL WITH CHARLEY CROCKETT Jan. 1 at Bourbon Theatre, Lincoln. Crockett

countr y ar tist released his debut album Pelago in October 2021. Now he’s touring the countr y playing h i s lates t m ater ia l i n per son .

—bourbontheatre.com

is a blues, countr y, and Americana singer, guitar ist, and song w r iter.

He has released 10 albums since 2015 , the latest being a double LP. —bourbontheatre.com ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Jan.

13 at Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln. Continuing the

Lied Center’s partnership with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Stéphane Denève returns to Lincoln to lead a program highlighted by Prokofiev ’s Romeo a nd Ju l iet Su ite . 4 0 2 -47 2 -4747.

—liedcenter.org

Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln.

Jan.

13

Donahew has risen from a favorite on the local Texas music scene, racking up 21 #1 singles, to a hot, nationally touring act who consistently sells out venues all across the countr y.

—bourbontheatre.com

BERLIN PHILHARMONIC PIANO QUARTET Jan.

18 at Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln. Established as a chamber

mu sic en semble of t he worldrenowned Berlin Philharmonic in 1985 , this incredible group returns to Lincoln after making their Lied Center debut in 2018. 402-472-4747.

—liedcenter.org

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

hailed and provocative theatre and television artists of our time, Smith (The West Wing, Black-ish, Nurse Jackie) leads a new installation of power ful first-person stor y telling in this new production. 402-472-4747.

—liedcenter.org

A NIGHT IN THE EMERALIED CITY Jan. 22 at Lied

CASEY DONAHEW Jan. 13 at Bourbon Theatre, Lincoln. Over the last 18 years,

// 98 //

ANNA DEVEARE SMITH: NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Feb. 9 at Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln. One of t he most

The Friends of the Lied are pleased to announce the return of their fundraising gala. Enter the world of enchantment and be wowed by the creativity. 402-472-4747.

—liedcenter.org

BRYCE VINE: MISS YOU A LITTLE TOUR 2022 Feb. 10 at Bourbon Theatre, Lincoln. Vine is

LINCOLN FRIENDS OF CHAMBER MUSIC— AIZURI QUARTET Jan.24 at Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln. The Grammy-nominated Aizuri Quar tet presents “What’s Past is Prologue,” a mix of work by women composers spanning 800 years. 402-472-4747.

—liedcenter.org DUO BALDO Jan. 27 at Merryman Performing Arts Center, Kearney.

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Feb. 11-13 at Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln. This musical tells the inspiring tr ue stor y of K ing ’s

remarkable rise to stardom. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation. 402-472-4747.

Jan. —liedcenter.org

27

Violinist Brad Repp and pianist/ actor Aldo Gentileschi combine virtuosic performances, theatrical comedy, and pop culture in critically acclaimed performances. 308.698.8297.

—kearneyconcerts.org GHOST & VOLBEAT Feb. 4 at the Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln. The Swedish rock band

an American rapper and singer from Westlake Village, California. His music career star ted in 2011 when he auditioned for The Glee Project.

—bourbontheatre.com

Ghost has teamed up with Danish rock band Volbeat for this U.S. arena tour.

They are joined by doo-wop husband and wife duo Twin Temple. 402-904-4444 .

—pinnaclebankarena.com

SHE’S A WOMAN STARRING MIZ CRACKER

Feb. 13 at Bourbon Theatre, Lincoln.

In her brand new show, She’s a Woman, drag queen and comedienne Miz Cracker presents a full hour of standup and music, discussing everything from dating and dieting to Covid and global calamity.

—bourbontheatre.com

EXPERIENCE WARMTH & COMFORT IN THE DEPTH OF WINTER. WELCOME TO SARPY COUNTY!

Q, We’ll Smoke U BB

Gretna

Werner Park, Papillion

Comfort Suites, La Vista

Wicked Hen Farmhouse Cafe, Springfield Old Presbyterian Church, Bellevue

Courtyard by Marriott, La Vista Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Bellevue

Stella’s, Bellevue

Selfie WRLD, Papillion

Papio Fun Park, Papillion

The Beanery, Gretna

In Sarpy County, the fun doesn’t end in December. We’ve got plenty of wintertime activities to help beat the winter blues! Lift your spirits and hit the trails for some sunshine. Go cross country skiing, rent snow shoes at Fontenelle Forest to explore 19 miles of trails, or do a little ice fishing. You’ll also find numerous stores ready to enjoy, including Nebraska Crossing in Gretna and Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion. Or simply get out of the cold and head to one of our premier hotels. All this and more located just south of Omaha and along I-80.

For a full list of shopping, restaurants and winter activities, visit us at

GoSarpy.com.

BELLEVUE • GRETNA • LA VISTA • PAPILLION • SPRINGFIELD • OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE • OMAHA METRO

// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

DAVID SHANNON Feb. 26 at Merryman Performing Arts Center, Kearney.

Shannon has been a mainstay in West End theatre (London’s Broadway) for 25 years. He will be performing a variety of popular music from Josh Groban and Ed Sheeran to Les Miserables to Frank Sinatra, Elton John and of course a few Irish ballads. 308-.698 . 8297.

—kearneyconcerts.org

IOWA CARMINA BURINA Jan. 8-9 at Des Moines Civic Center, Des Moines. Hear this choral masterwork like it’s never been performed

before as the Des Moines Symphony is joined onstage by 200 voices for a sensational, spectacular performance long to be remembered. 515-246-2368.

—desmoinesperformingarts.org KEE LIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL Jan. 14-15 in Downtown Cherokee. This weekend includes pub crawls on Friday and Saturday nights, a jam session on Saturday afternoon, and a jam session on Saturday night . 71 2 . 225 . 6 4 1 4 .

—cherokeejazzbluesfestival.com

classic Golden Girls moments using puppets. Devoted fans will fondly remember our four girls from Miami, and for the first-timers, this will be a joyful introduction to the brilliance of that television series. 515-246-2368.

—desmoinesperformingarts.org 39TH ANNUAL UNIVERSITY OF OKOBOJI WINTER GAMES Jan. 27-30 at Lake Okoboji. Iowa’s fictional university comes together for a spectacular weekend of sporting events to shake off cabin fever. 712-332-2107.

—uofowintergames.com

music tour will feature Skillet, Tauren Wells, KB, Colton Dixon, I Am They, NewSong, and more. 515-564-8000 —iowaeventscenter.com

// 100 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC Feb. 17 at Stephens Auditorium, Ames. Love

transcends the harsh realities of war and prejudice in this sweeping Pulitzer Prize-winning tale centered around two unlikely love affairs. 515-294-7389 —center.iastate.edu

29

IMMORTAL BELOVED Jan 29-30 at Des

Moines Civic Center, Des Moines.

Beethoven’s passionate love lett ers come alive in a musical

15-16

WINTER JAM 2022 Jan. 22 at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines. This annual Christian

love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. 515-246-2300.

—desmoinesperformingarts.com

DISNEY ON ICE: INTO THE MAGIC! Feb. 17-20 at DRUMLINE LIVE Jan. 29 at Stephens Tyson Center, Sioux City. Seek adventure Auditorium, Ames. Drumline Live with Belle as she explores the Beast’s is an international tour based on enchanted castle, experience Jan. the Historically Black College Moana’s courage to embark on and University (HBCU) marching a voyage, and sing along with band tradition, featuring riveting Miguel from Coco as he follows rhy thms, bold beats and earthe music in his heart. 712.279.4850. grabbing energ y. 515-294-73 89 —tysoncenter.com —center.iastate.edu

ANNUAL BALD EAGLE APPRECIATION Jan. DAYS Jan. 15-16 at the River City celebration of great passion from Mall, Keokuk. View bald eagles Dobrinka Tabakova’s Dawn to in their natural habitat at the B e e t h o v e n ’s Moonlight M i s si s sippi R iver f ront a nd Sonata and more, performed by Victory Park & Southside Boat Club Des Moines Symphony. 515-246-2368. on Saturday and Sunday. 319.524 .5599 —desmoinesperformingarts.org —keokukiowatourism.org CINCH WORLD’S TOUGHEST RODEO Jan. 21-22 at Tyson Center, Sioux City. The Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo will spotlight fan favorite events such as Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, and Women’s Barrel Racing. 712.279.4850.

—tysoncenter.com

TOOTSIE Feb. 8-13 at Des Moines Civic Center, Des Moines. This laugh-out-loud

THAT GOLDEN GIRLS SHOW! A PUPPET PARODY

Jan 25-30 at Temple Theater, Des Moines. This brand-new show parodies

FORTUNE FEIMSTER Jan. 30 at Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. Feimster is

a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, who first became known as a writer and panelist on E’s hit show Chelsea Lately, later starring as a series regular on The Mindy Project for Hulu and Champions for NBC. 515-244-0507.

—hoytsherman.org STEP AFRIKA! Feb. 5 at Des Moines Civic Center, Des Moines. Part of the Family Series, this show introduces audiences to the importance of stepping in cultural identity, the use of body percussion as a means of communication, and to the continuit y of the use of polyrhythms and audience participation from traditiona l Zu lu dance to contemporary stepping. 515-246-2300.

—desmoinesperformingarts.com

DES MOINES HOME AND GARDEN SHOW Feb. 24-27 at Iowa Events Center, Des Moines. This

show is the largest and most successful home show in Central Iowa, featuring over 400 exhibitors, 1,000 experts, and amazing feature gardens. 515-244-5456.

—desmoineshomeandgardenshow.com

KANSAS 2022 CARS FOR CHARITIES ROD & CUSTOM CAR SHOW Jan. 14-16 at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center, Wichita. This is the premier event of the 65th Annual Cars for Charities’ Rod & Custom Car Show. It’s also chock-full of events for the whole family, featuring a free kids zone with face painting, a coloring station, and special appearances by all their favorite car toon characters. 316 -303- 8 0 0 0.

—century2.org JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA WITH WYNTON MARSALIS Jan. 18 at Main Auditorium Lied Center, Lawrence. JLCO is comprised of 15 the finest jazz soloists and ensemble players today. They are led by Grammy-winning Wynton Marsalis, world-renowned trumpeter and composer, who was the first jazz artist to be awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in music. 785 .864 .2787.

—lied.ku.edu

// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

SENTIMENTAL SARABAND Jan. 22 at White Concert Hall, Topeka. The Topeka

Symphony will kick off 2022 with an intimate concer t of romantic and soulful dances. 785-232-2032 .

—topekasymphony.org UNIVERSE AT AN EXHIBITION Jan. 22-23 at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center, Wichita. A stronomer and

multimedia ar tist José Francisco Salgado returns with spectacular photography of the cosmos. The film takes viewers through a virtual gallery of images from the farthest reaches of the galaxy, while the live Symphony provides the soundtrack in the form of Mussorgsk y ’s orchestral work Pictures at an Exhibition. 316-303-8000.

—century2.org MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK Jan. 25 at The Granada, Lawrence. This poppunk alt band from Minneapolis consists of vocalist and guitarist Justin Courtney Pierre, lead guitarist Joshua Cain , keyboardist Jesse Johnson, bassist Matthew Taylor, and drummer Tony Thaxton. 785-842-1390.

—thegranada.com

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Feb. 11 at INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita. teamed

up with award-winning experts from broadway and renowned comedians to create an experience like no other.

Top it off with the Globetrotters’ signature ankle breaking moves and rim-rattling dunks.

855-755-7328 .

—intrustbankarena.com PAS DE DEUX Feb. 12 at White Concert Hall, Topeka. The Pas de Deux is a

grand duet—a love stor y in ballet form—and at this concert the Topeka Symphony presents the epic love story of Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe. 785-232-2032.

—topekasymphony.org ANNUAL WINTER BLUEGRASS Festival Feb. 18-19 at Wichita Marriott Hotel, Wichita.

The Kansas Bluegrass Association will be throwing its annual festival, which will include songwriting workshops, and jamming throughout the festival.

—kansasbluegrass.org A NEW WORLD MASTERPIECE: FLORENCE PRICE’S REDISCOVERED SYMPHONY Feb. 20 at Century

II Performing Arts & Convention Center, Wichita. Composer Florence Price

made history in 1933 when her piece became the first symphony by a black woman to be performed by Feb. 2 at Main Auditorium Lied Feb. a major American Orchestra.After Center, Lawrence. Gr a m my slipping into obscurity after its Aw a rd-w i n n i ng classical premiere, her Symphony No. 1 is g uitar ist Sharon Isbin w ill experiencing a revival in the world perform with acclaimed soprano of classical music. 316-303-8000.

Je s s ic a R iv e r a . 7 8 5 . 8 6 4 . 2 7 8 7.

—century2.org —lied.ku.edu SHARON ISBIN AND JESSICA RIVERA

SENTIMENTAL SARABANDE Jan. 15 at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, Springfield. The Springfield

Symphony starts 2022 with an intimate concert of romantic and soulful dances, including Gabriella Lena Frank ’s flirtatious Coqueteos from Leyendas and William Grant Still’s transcendent and enchanting Summerland. 417.836.7678.

—springfieldmosymphony.org HARRIMAN-JEWELL SERIES PRESENTS PARSONS DANCE Jan. 21 at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Parsons Dance offers some of the most compelling works in dance, such as the iconic strobe-lit Caught. The company ’s Kansas City return will include a new work David Parsons set to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Yusuf/Cat Stevens’ iconic songs. 816-471-0400.

—kauffmancenter.org THE 39 STEPS Jan. 21 to Feb. 13 at Repertory Theatre, St. Louis. Hitchcock

meets hilarity in this madcap comedic thriller. Richard Hannay is an everyday bloke looking for a little more excitement in his life. But he gets more than he bargains for when he is unwittingly plunged into the world of spies, agents and espionage. 314-968-4925 .

—repstl.org

02

AUGUSTANA Feb. 4 at The Granada, Lawrence. This American rock band from San Diego has released five albums and an EP while being signed to Epic Records and Razor & Tie. They are best known for their song “Boston.” 785-842-1390.

—thegranada.com MOVIE MUSIC! Feb. 5 at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center, Wichita. This

concert is filled with familiar themes from the silver screen, featuring guest conductor Ron Spigelman. 316-303-8000.

—century2.org POTTED POTTER Feb. 10 at the McCain Auditorium, Manhattan. This parody takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harr y Potter books, and a real-life game of Quidditch, into 70 hilarious minutes. 785-532-6428.

—k-state.edu/mccain

DIANNE REEVES Jan. 22 at the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Gallery, St Louis. Reeves

is one of the pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world today, known for her virtuosity, improvisational prowess and unique jazz and R&B stylings. 800.916.8938 —thesheldon.org

MISSOURI

DIANA KRALL Jan. 23 at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Diana Krall is the

REVOLUTION: THE MUSIC OF THE BEATLES Jan.

7-9 at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The Beatles come to life in

“Revolution,” a symphonic tribute to the Fab Four. It features top vocalists and the Kansas Cit y Sy mphony per for ming Grammy ®-winner Jeff Tyzik ’s new arrangements. 816. 471.0400.

—kcsymphony.org

JOHAN SMITH Jan. 15 at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, St. Louis. Smith released his

only jazz singer to have eight albums debut at the top of the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. To date, her albums have garnered two Grammy ® Jan. Awards, ten Juno® Awards and have also earned nine gold, three platinum and seven multiplatinum albums. 816-471- 0400.

—kauffmancenter.org

23

new album with Naxos in 2020, and is currently preparing for a tour that will see him perform in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and at Carnegie Hall in New York. 800.916.8938.

—stlclassicalguitar.org

PUNCH BROTHERS Jan. 24 at St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis. Grammy

Award-winning Punch Brothers Chris Eldridge, Paul Kowert, Noam Pikelny, Gabe Witcher, and Chris Thile—making his return to the Emerson Concert Stage— join together in a one-night only performance at Powell Hall. 314 .534 .1700 —slso.org

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 101 //

// EXPLORE CALENDAR //

SCHLAFLY BURNS NIGHT Jan. 25 at Schlafly Tap Room, St. Louis. Robert Burns, the

Scottish poet and ploughman most famous for his poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’ bears great significance.The customs of this event include pipers piping Celtic music, Scottish food, nostalgia, satire, and a reading by Tom Schlafly.

Plaid kilts optional. 31 4 . 2 41 . 2337.

—schlafly.com

STICK FLY Feb. 11 to March 6 at Repertory Theatre, St. Louis. The LeVay

family ’s annual summer vacation to Martha’s Vineyard is thrown into a state of disarray by long-standing tensions, sibling rivalries and a drunken game of Scrabble. 31 4 .9 6 8 . 4925 .

—repstl.org AN EVENING OF OPERA Feb. 12 at Pine

Ridge

THE FULL MONTY Jan. 28 to Feb. 13 at

Springfield Little Theatre, Springfield.

Based on the cult hit film of the same name, The Full Monty, a ten-time Tony Award nominee, is filled with honest affection, engaging melodies and the most highly anticipated closing number of any show. 417.881.5300.

—springfieldmo.org

Presbyterian,

Kansas

Pride is a group of LGBTQ and straight allied teens creating theater that gives voice to their experiences. Join them for these Project Pride 2022 performances, a collection of hilarious and thought-provoking scenes created by the Kansas City teens. 816-474-6552 .

—thecoterie.org

City.

Nor t h la nd Sy mphony Orchest r a will perform with singers from William Jewell College’s Graduate Artist Diploma P rog ra m . 816 .9 4 5 . 2 4 3 6 .

—northlandsymphony.org PONY EXPRESS FAMILY DAY Feb. 21 at the Pony Express National Museum, St. Joseph. Family Day gives the kids a

chance to step back into the 1860’s job of a Pony Express Rider. You can experience the lifestyle through ma ny educationa l , ha nds- on exhibits and activities during Feb. this family fun day. 816.279.5059.

—ponyexpress.org

CHAN CONDUCTS TCHAIKOVSKY Feb. 5-6 at St.

Louis Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis.

Conductor Elim Chan makes her SLSO debut with Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony, celebrating the folk song of his native Russia. Tan Dun’s percussion concerto captures the threat, sadness, and resolve of humanity in the face of natural crises. 314 .534 .1700 —slso.org

5-6

ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR Feb. 8 to March 6 at The Coterie, Kansas City. This National Endowment for the Arts award-winning play intertwines present day with the last segregated days of Fairyland amusement park. It is inspired by overlooked Kansas City histor y. 816. 474 .6552 .

—thecoterie.org THE BEACH BOYS Feb. 9 at Kauffman Center, Kansas City. As The Beach Boys mark

more than a half-century of making music, the group continues to ride the crest of a wave unequaled in America’s musical histor y. 816. 471.0400.

—kauffmancenter.org

// 102 //

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

PROJECT PRIDE Feb. 26-27 at The Coterie in Crown Center, Kansas City . Project

T H E B A CH A R I A S O L OI S T S W I T H W Y L L I A M S -HE NRY CON T E MP OR A RY D A NCE Feb. 26 at Crown Center, Feb. Kansas City. These two critically acclaimed ensembles join forces with the exquisite music of Bach, Monteverdi, O’Connor and contemporar y dance for a scintillating, unforgettable visual and aural experience. 913-4 49-6995 .

—bachariasoloists.com

26

THOMAS VILOTEAU Feb. 26 at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, St. Louis. French guitar

phenomenon Viloteau is the winner of the Guitar Foundation of America and the Francisco Tárrega competitions and author of the best-selling technique book In the Black Box. 800.916.8938.

—stlclassicalguitar.org

EVENT TIMES AND DETAILS MAY CHANGE. Visit omahamagazine.com for complete listings. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

// 103 //

NOT FUNNY // COLUMN BY OTIS TWELVE // PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SITZMANN

S P ORTS ?

I

’d rather play a sport than watch one.

The problem is that I am running out of sports to play. And let me say from the start, this situation is not just the result of my advanced age or decrepitude.

Now it’s true that I’ve already surpassed my Biblical “three score and ten,” and that I’ve been sedated heavily on more than one occasion in order to be fussed over and repaired by young people with very impressive diplomas on their pale blue medical center consulting room walls. But, I’m blessed to be still fairly mobile and my wife hasn’t put a tracking device in my belt buckle—yet.

Obviously, football is out, and not just because of my left knee…and my right knee… and the fact that if I am knocked down it may take a minute or two for me to stand up again…and the fact that I tend to cry when I’m hurt…and the fact there are no senior leagues I know of…and running? Yeah, sure. Heck, I have a great deal of trouble even watching football these days because I am just too darned empathic. Seeing a receiver on a crossing pattern get demolished by a safety moving at Mach II makes me a little queasy lately.

I used to golf—that being one of the sports allowed to my demographic segment, along with bowling. But now when I swing a club I disturb players standing over delicate putts three holes away due to the loud snapping and crackling noise my right shoulder makes trying to escape from its socket. Bowling? Too loud. That is, my scream is too loud when my right shoulder actually does complete its escape as I roll one into the gutter. So, they’ve asked me not to come back. Ever.

So, what sport can I play? The new craze is Pickleball, which is, so far as I can tell, miniature tennis with ping pong paddles, cute white shorts, and a whiffle-ball on a badminton court with a low net and a high risk of embarrassment. So far as I can tell—I watched a lot of YouTube videos —there is no beer, no shade, or any chance of cheating.

Those factors and the wardrobe expense make this a non-starter.

Cornhole? Excuse me? This unfortunately named game should revert to its original 19th century appellation, “Parlor Quoits,” or the name Father Guido Sarducci gave the diversion “Faba Baga—more properly,“Sacchetto di Fagioli” or “Bean Bag.” I just can’t watch, let alone play, this game without feeling embarrassed for everyone involved.

Any game that includes terms like, “Dirty Bag,” “Drano,” or “Cornfusion,” is suspect on way too many levels. Some say Cornhole is not to be considered on its own, but is merely one part of a bigger sport called “Tailgating.” Since that sport includes meat cooked over an open fire I might consider it.

Other options include “Mall Hiking”—this is like “Mall Walking” but in this version “hikers” don’t avoid obstacles like planters, benches, or slow children, but instead climb over them while whistling Tyrolean hiking tunes; and “Folding Chair Protesting”—this involves sitting in a folding chair on a busy corner holding up a sign that says, “Honk if you…” (Insert Controversial, Trivial, or Daily Outrage Issue) and can be unpleasant these days because nobody has a sense of humor anymore, but does offer fresh air and the occasional dose of bus exhaust. There’s one final possibility, the new sport of “Streaming”: I’m kind of into this one already and I’ve almost made it through all seven seasons of “The Great British Bake Off.” I’m a huge Paul Hollywood fan.

Otis Twelve hosts the radio program Morning Classics with Otis Twelve on 90.7 KVNO, weekday mornings from 6-10 a.m. Visit kvno.org for more information.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

// 104 //

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