UNMC Professor of Public Health Siobhan Wescott is pictured front row, red dress, next to donor Dr. Carol Swarts at a recent welcome event. NCIA Executive Director Judi M. gaiashkibos is pictured back row, white dress.
NCIA Director Serves on UNMC Professorship Search Committee
NCIA Director Judi M. gaiashkibos recently served on a University of Nebraska Medical College search committee tasked with selecting Dr. Siobhan Wescott as the first Dr. Susan and Susette La Flesche Professor of Public Health.
A key part of gaiashkibos’ involvement was working with the College and the donor, Dr. Carol Swarts to have the professorship named in honor of Dr. La Flesche and Susette La Flesche. Both sisters, members of the Omaha tribe played prominent roles in the United States and Nebraska, with Dr. La Flesche the first Native American physician in the United States and Susette playing a prominent role as interpreter to Ponca Chief Standing Bear.
gaiashkibos stated that she was grateful that Dr. Swarts was so strongly in support of naming the professorship after the La Flesche sisters. “This is not only a fitting tribute to the memory of these two trailblazing Native women, but also such a great opportunity for so much to be done moving forward to address Native health issues. It was an honor to serve on this selection committee, and I look forward to working with Dr. Wescott in support of her work.”
