NMA Young Physician of the Year is awarded to a physician under age 40 who consistently achieves high standards in the practice of medicine and is looked upon as a role model by his or her peers.

By Melanie Menning, MD, MPH

As the initial surprise of the phone call wore off, I took some time to reflect on what this award means to me and on the many influences that have shaped my journey. While disease pathology and pharmacology are important, I did not learn the most important parts of being a physician from a book, PowerPoint, or UpToDate search, but through the mentorship and examples set by many of you—some of whom are likely reading this.

While there are too many to name specifically, I would like to highlight a few. My parents taught me the value of hard work and gave me the privilege of exploring the world around me. My dad, a retired respiratory therapist, introduced me to health care. My mom, now a retired teacher, instilled a love for learning and the ability to see every moment as an opportunity to learn something new.

To the countless preceptors who tolerated me as a bumbling med student who slowed down their clinic but still took the time to teach and to show a heart for their patients—your influence on countless students, teaching the true value of health care that cannot be taught in a classroom or by a book, is invaluable.

To Dr. Babbe, who mentored me throughout residency and taught me that even in the most complicated and confusing cases, we can always move the ball forward.

To my past and present OneWorld family, who strive for excellence for all patients, both inside and outside the clinic walls, and aren’t afraid to explore creative, out-of-the-box, and unconventional solutions.

To my past and current bosses and mentors who first said, “Maybe you should think about academics,” and from that point forward have continued to support me in my many tangential interests and refine my half-thought-out ideas into something meaningful. You encouraged me not to shut doors too quickly that I had not even considered as a path for my career, but the rewards of those adventures have led to a career I never imagined.

My advice for those going through the long hours of training is not to give up, and remember your “why.” Seek opportunities to learn in every encounter. Sometimes, it will be pathophysiology and pharmacology, but more often, it is how to interact and truly care for others. This is a value that holds true even beyond medical school and residency and will make your career more fulfilling.

Your career can reach far beyond the clinic walls. Caring for patients is a privilege; teaching others and helping them develop a passion for the same makes it even better.

Thank you to the NMA and the physicians across Nebraska for all you do in developing and supporting physicians at all stages of their careers to care for patients.

Bio: Dr. Menning obtained her medical degree and Masters of Public Health in Community Oriented Primary Care from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She completed her family medicine residency through the University of Nebraska Medical Center Urban Underserved track at OneWorld Community Health Center. She currently serves as an associate professor at UNMC and former associate program director for the community health center track. She recently began a new role as the director of the IDEA-CTR Community Engagement and Outreach Core, pairing this with ongoing educational work to develop the skills of community engagement and outreach in our future providers and researchers. Dr. Menning provides care at Nebraska Medicine and OneWorld Community Health Center. She has a passion for immigrant and refugee health care and helping to close health disparity gaps through education, research, and clinical care. She has designed several educational interventions, including a Spanish language program for health care providers and a New American EMET, as well as conducted research to improve equity in diabetes outcomes, cervical cancer screening, food security, and mental health care for immigrants and refugees through community and clinical collaborations.

Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Ava, cheering on the Huskers, traveling, and gardening.