Archive for

January, 2026

It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Dr. Abdallah Abou Zahr, clinical assistant professor of medicine and associate program director for UND’s Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program. Dr. Abou Zahr joined the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo in 2017 as a hematologist/oncologist. His appointment at the UND School of […]

Several months ago, the University of North Dakota announced the UND “Strive for 85” accessibility initiative. This initiative aims to create a more inclusive and accessible learning environment by ensuring that learning and support materials are accessible to every student. This applies to all materials that instructors provide to students, but primarily affects everyone who […]

Love Data Week is an international celebration of data, taking place every year during the week of Valentine’s day. Organized by the Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) at the University of Michigan, this week-long event brings together universities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, corporations, and individuals to host data-related events and activities. This […]

Jil Fiemeyer is a marketing specialist within the Office of Alumni & Community Relations at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Jil’s position was created, in part, in response to the School’s new ND85 effort to recruit and retain more North Dakota students across the M.D. and health sciences programs, as well as […]

Addison Reeves is an administrative assistant in the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions (SAA). In her role she provides administrative support to anyone utilizing the services of SAA, whether students, faculty, and staff. Prior to joining SAA she worked as a standardized patient for the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences and in […]

In recognition of outstanding performance in the encouragement, enrichment, and education of tomorrow’s physicians, the medical student Class of 2028 has recognized three faculty for Outstanding Unit Instructor Awards in Unit VIII for the 2025-26 academic year. The Class of 2028 (Phase 1) Unit VIII awardees are the following individuals: Mark Christenson, M.D., Office of Education […]

“It’s the people I’m going to miss the most.” And with that sentiment, the longtime Director of Finance at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Terry Nelson, closed the book on an astounding 40-year career at the University of North Dakota, 35 of which were spent in UND’s School of Medicine & Health […]

Thirty-three University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) physician assistant (PA) students are set to begin the clinical portion of their studies this month in an effort to earn their Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree. To this end, UND’s Physician Assistant Class of 2027 will receive its white coats on […]

The 46th annual Frank Low Research Day will be held in-person and online on Monday, April 27, 2026. Frank Low Research Day is the signature UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences celebration of the extraordinary research happening across all disciplines and programs in the SMHS. This year, we will bring together trainees, faculty, staff, […]

Have you made a New Year’s resolution this year? Interestingly, most New Year’s resolutions are associated with one or more of the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. Readers might recall that I’ve featured Lifestyle Medicine pillars in three previous columns (sleep, nutrition, and substance use, respectively). Today, I continue with a fourth pillar: physical activity. […]