President
Division of Infectious Diseases
Nebraska Medical Center
985400 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha,NE 68198-5400
402-559-8650 WORK, 402-639-9285 CELL
rick.starlin@unmc.edu

Assistant Professor
Department of Infectious Disease
University of Nebraska Medical Center
402-559-7268
richard.hankins@unmc.edu

DHHS HAI AR Director, Division of Public Health
301 Centennial Mall South, PO Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-559-8650 WORK; 917-573-3807 MOBILE
Salman.ashraf@nebraska.gov
Muhammad Salman Ashraf, MBBS, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, at University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE where he also serves as the medical director for Nebraska Infection Control Assessment and Promotion Program (ICAP) and co-medical director for Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Assessment and Promotion Program (ASAP). Dr. Ashraf is trained in internal medicine, geriatrics and infectious diseases. He is a member of SHEA Long-Term Care Special Interest Group, SHEA Education Committee, IDSA Antimicrobial Resistance Committee and Infection Advisory Committee of AMDA-The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. He also serves as the chair of Nebraska Antimicrobial Stewardship Subcommittee. Dr. Ashraf is currently working on multiple projects focused on promoting infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship programs in long-term care facilities. Dr Ashraf is currently the Vice-President of NICN and is actively involved in developing educational programs at NICN and serves in the NICN Course Committee.

Division of Infectious Disease
985400 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha NE 68198-5400
402-559-8650 WORK 402-250-2204 CELL
ALHEWLETT@UNMC.EDU
Dr. Hewlett earned a BA in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin, and an MD from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas, where she also completed a residency in Internal Medicine.  She served as Chief Resident, then completed a 2 year fellowship in Infectious Diseases followed by a 1 year NIH-funded research fellowship with a focus in Hospital Epidemiology and Infection Control.  She also holds a Masters degree in Clinical Sciences-Clinical Investigation from the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Attorney at Law
9290 West Dodge Road, Suite 303
Omaha, NE 68114
402-390-0390 Work
LSHEEHAN@ELLICKJONES.COM
Larry is a partner in a general law practice with concentration in the fields of estate planning, taxation, real estate law, business planning and litigation, health law and adoption law, and has lectured to various groups on estate planning, adoptions, collections and health law.

Infection Control Nurse/QAPI Coordinator
Douglas County Health Center
4102 Woolworth Ave
Omaha, NE
402-444-6375
TAMMI.SCHAFFART@DOUGLASCOUNTY-NE.GOV
After attending the NICN Infection Prevention Course as a new IP in the fall of 2008, Tammi became faculty of NICN Infection Prevention Course in 2014. In 2016 she helped with the development of the NICN Infection Prevention Intermediate Class and was appointed Secretary for the NICN Board in August 2018.

Creighton University, Chair, Dept of Clinical Research
Assistant Dean, Clinical Research and Public Health
Creighton University School of Medicine
Omaha, NE
402-280-2700
MaureenTierney@creighton.edu
Dr. Tierney is on the faculty of the Creighton University Medical School and is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the College of Public Health, University of Nebraska School of Medicine. Dr. Tierney is a Diplomate (board certified) in Internal Medicine (IM) and Infectious Diseases (ID) of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). She received her medical degree from the Weill Cornell Medical College, and her training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease at the New York Hospital and the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), respectively. She has published articles on HIV therapy, eye and ear infections, the efficacy of certain antibiotics and antifungal therapy, and the prevention of healthcare associated infections. She is a member of the American College of Physicians, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.

Nebraska Hospital Association
3255 Salt Creek Circle, Suite 100
Lincoln, NE 68504-4761
402-742-8140 Work
dsteiner@nebraskahospitals.org
The Nebraska Hospital Association is committed to collaborative efforts in all areas of quality and performance improvement for the people of our state. We are especially committed to reducing areas of harm, including infections within our hospitals.

Methodist Health System
Infection Prevention Manager
Nebraska Methodist Hospital
8303 Dodge St
Omaha, NE 68114
402-354-8119 Work
Andrew.Sass@nmhs.org
Mr Sass is currently a Member at Large for NICN and the current APIC President. His interest and specialty are in the acute care setting.

Chief, Infectious Diseases
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-5400
402-559-8650 WORK
MERUPP@UNMC.EDU
Dr. Rupp received his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas and holds a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin, Texas. He underwent internship and residency training in Internal Medicine and completed Fellowship training in Infectious Diseases at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, and in the subspecialty area of Infectious Diseases. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the Society for Hospital Epidemiology of America (SHEA). He is a Past-President of SHEA. Dr Rupp has served as a consultant for the US Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NIH, and VA. Dr. Rupp has published over 400 articles, chapters and abstracts.

17030 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Suite 202
Omaha, NE 68130
402-758-5240
David.quimbymd@commonspirit.org
Dr Quimby received his BS in Microbiology and Cell Science from the Univeristy of Florida, and his medical degree from University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. His residency and Infectious Disease Fellowship were completed at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Director of Professional Development
Nebraska Health Care Association
1200 Libra Dr, Suite 100
Lincoln,NE 68512
402-435-3551 ext 200
CONNIEK@NEHCA.ORG
Connie Knorr earned a BA in Psychology in 2009 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and continued her education to receive a BSN in 2013. She has 10 years of experience in health care-related fields including long-term care, mental health, public health, addiction services, and education. Connie currently serves as Director of Professional Development at Nebraska Health Care Association (NHCA). Her responsibilities include leading a team to meet NHCA affiliates’ education needs, including on and off-campus classes, professional development courses, online learning, and three large conventions. Prior to that, she was Lead Instructor at Nebraska Health Care Learning Center, an accredited college that is part of NHCA. As Lead Instructor, Connie taught Basic Nursing Assistant and Medication Aide courses.”

Infection Preventionist
ICAP and ASAP Coordinator
988173 Nebraska Medical Center
4047C ECCP
Omaha, NE 68512
402-522-2882 Work
LTYNER@NEBRASKAMED.COM
Ms Tyner currently serves as both a presenter and the education program director for NICN, and finds it a privilege to be part of the NICN legacy, bringing outstanding infection prevention education to our region.

Infection Preventionist
Lexington Regional Health Center
jnordstrom@lexrhc.org

Infection Preventionist
Faith Regional Health Services
2700 W Norfolk Ave
Norfolk NE 68701
lhooges@frhs.org
402-644-7662 or Extension 7662 Work; 402-841-6793 Cell

Chief Quality Office & Infection Preventionist
Brodstone Healthcare
520 East 10th St
Superior, NE 68978
402-207-1518
rhedstrom@brodstone.org
Rebecca been a working in a critical access hospital as a nurse for the past 12 years and 9 of those years she has been in the infection prevention role. When she began her infection prevention role 9 years ago with little experience, she quickly learned how essential it was to seek out peers and resources within the state, including programs like the NICN. She is looking forward to working with the NICN program and others throughout the state.

JRIESE@MARYLANNING.ORG

Infection Preventionist
CHI Health Saint Elizabeth
555 South 70TH St
Lincoln, NE 68510

402-219-7730 Work
sandre@commonspirit.org

Infection Preventionist
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital
5401 South St
Lincoln, NE 68506-2150
402-413-3601 Work; 402-580-2859 Cell
KFELIX@MADONNA.ORG

Professor Emeritus
College of Public Health
984320 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-4320
402-393-2353 Home; 402-552-3501 Work
pwsmith@unmc.edu
Dr Smith is the founder and past president, NICN, the Past Chief of Infectious Diseases, UNMC, and the Developer of Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. In 1979 a need for high quality, affordable and accessible training in infection control for Nebraska hospitals and long-term care facilities was identified. That year a pilot symposium was held in Omaha and attended by nearly 200 persons. This provided the impetus for formation of the NICN in 1980. The success of the NICN is due to the collaboration of the key stakeholders who served on the NICN Board (eg, APIC, the Nebraska State Department of Health, the NHA, the NHCA, and others). The CDC has acknowledged the uniqueness of this organization which has provided training of various types for nearly 40 years. Nebraskans just get it done!

Director, Professional Development
Clarkson College
101 South 42nd St
Omaha, NE 68131
402-552-6123 Work
dunn@clarksoncollege.edu

University of Nebraska Medical Center
985400 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE 68198-5400
402-559-7185
jteranplasencia@unmc.edu

Nebraska State Epidemiologist
NE Department of Health and Human Services
301 Centennial Mall South, PO Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509
402-471-8566 Office
Matthew.Donahue@nebraska.gov

Consultant Pharmacist
Community Pharmacy Services
21689 N Star Dr #202
Gretna, NE 68028
402-289-0431
aneukirch@cpharmrx.com

Infection Preventionist
Veterans Health Administration
2201 N. Broadwell
Grand Island, NE 68803
308-258-0544 cell; 308-382-3660 ext 3210 Work

Dyanne has been working in IP for >10 years. She has significant oversight for infection Prevention in large skilled care environments