Steven Lisco, MD, academic director of Nebraska Medicine and senior associate dean for clinical affairs at the UNMC College of Medicine, has made a gift commitment through the University of Nebraska Foundation to establish a professorship in the Department of Anesthesiology at UNMC.
The Steven J. Lisco, MD, Distinguished Professor in Anesthesiology honors a deserving faculty member who exhibits the qualities of passion for mission, leadership, and scholarship that made Dr. Lisco successful. The endowed chair will help support the department’s global health initiatives.
The creation of this professorship represents a milestone in Dr. Lisco’s longstanding commitment to global health and will replace a fund he previously established that also focused on global health.
“Named endowments allow you to make a gift that will forever shape the mission of the department,” said Dr. Lisco. “For me, this is a really nice way to give back to the department that gave me the opportunity to lead it for nearly 12 years.”
UNMC’s Department of Anesthesiology, which Dr. Lisco chaired from 2012 to 2023, has long been involved in global health initiatives. These efforts date back to mission trips to Rwanda beginning in 2015 to provide medical care to pediatric patients with facial abnormalities and adults with thyroid goiter. These faculty and resident-led efforts were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic but remained a cornerstone of the department’s mission with trips to Zambia in 2023 and 2024.
“Global health is an essential aspect of the department’s work. It aligns with UNMC’s mission statement and appeals to the generous nature of physicians,” said Dr. Lisco. “It is also a critical element in recruiting highly qualified residents and faculty who are passionate about making a global impact.”
Dr. Lisco commented on his decision to establish the professorship: “For many, participating in global health missions is a life-changing experience. It improves problem-solving skills and provides an in-depth perspective on health care outside the United States. By establishing this endowment, I want to ensure that these opportunities are preserved for future generations.”
Dr. Lisco’s contributions go beyond financial support. His leadership in the department and his role in establishing the global health program have had a lasting impact. As the department continues to build on that foundation, the professorship is a testament to his commitment and vision.
“Few departments have accomplished in such a short period of time what this department has accomplished under Steve’s leadership,” said Mohanad Shukry, MD, PhD, interim department chair. “Many of our faculty and trainees, including myself, owe their tremendous success to Dr. Lisco’s leadership, mentoring and encouragement.”
“I will be very proud of this legacy. I am very grateful to the University of Nebraska, the faculty and all of my colleagues,” said Dr. Lisco. “It will be a legacy that continues to support the mission of global health.”
Those wishing to contribute to the fund can donate online through the University of Nebraska Foundation. The collective support of donors will ensure that the Department of Anesthesiology’s global health efforts remain robust and impactful for years to come.
Dr. Lisco’s donation supports “Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for the Future of Our University.” The campaign is a historic effort to encourage 150,000 benefactors to donate $3 billion to support University of Nebraska students, faculty, academic and clinical programs and research to meet the needs of the state.
