Nebraska Stroke Association

Board Member Spotlight: Denise Swensen Denise graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1979 with a teaching degree and a business minor, but began a career with the U.S. Postal Service the same year. After 35 years of service, I retired in December 2013 and transitioned to working as a paraprofessional for three years. My husband and I have been married for 45 years, raising five children and enjoying the love of nine grandchildren. Since age 7, I've called Manley home and have lived in the same house throughout my married life. Over the years, we've hosted 10 foreign exchange students and, as an IEC for 13 years, I helped place students into local homes. In 2014, my husband had a stroke, and I’ve been his caregiver ever since. This experience inspired me to create survivor toolkits for stroke survivors at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln and Omaha. Community service has always been at the heart of what I do. I served on the Village of Manley Board for 12 years, including four years as chairperson, and am affectionately known as the “ice cream and cookie lady,” delivering treats by golf cart. At St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Manley, I’ve co-managed and purchased products for the Cass County Fair stand for 42 years, served as a reader for 25 years, and helped organize food and gifts for local families at Christmas. Each year, I write personalized Santa letters for children in the Village. My passion for helping others also led me to join the Nebraska Stroke Association Board, where I serve as the caregiver liaison, a role I was honored to accept. While I may not have fancy degrees, my life has been rich in service, dedication, and love for my family, faith, and community.

Stroke is a medical emergency, and every second counts. Learn the key signs with the B.E.F.A.S.T. method: ?? B - Balance: Loss of Balance. Dizziness ?? E - Eyes: Vision Changes ?? F - Face: Facial Drooping, Severe Headache ?? A - Arms: Weakness. Numbness ?? S - Speech: Trouble Speaking. Confusion ?? T - Time: Call 911 immediately Spread the word—knowing these symptoms could save a life! ??

Meet Dr. Kristy Weissling, a seasoned speech-language pathologist and professor?of practice who currently serves as Interim Chair of the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). ? A proud UNL alumna, Dr. Weissling graduated?cum laude?with her B.S. in 1988 and her M.S. in 1990 in Speech-Language Pathology. She then completed her Doctor of Speech Pathology (SLP.D.) in 2006 at Nova Southeastern University. ? Dr. Weissling began her career in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in the brain injury unit of a rehabilitation hospital, where she completed her Clinical Fellowship and developed expertise in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for patients in acute rehabilitation, including those requiring tracheostomy and ventilator support. Over her career, she has practiced in diverse settings, including hospitals, non-profits, and universities, contributing to her understanding of AAC and adult-acquired language disorders including stroke. ? In 2003, Dr. Weissling returned to UNL as a lecturer, later progressing to Professor of Practice in 2021. She has conducted research in AAC, including a NIDILRR grant investigating AAC assessment protocols for aphasia, ALS, autism, and cerebral palsy. She also co-leads two student training grants—MPUP-IP and MPUP-SPADE—focused on interprofessional collaboration among speech pathologists, teachers of the deaf, and audiologists. ? Dr. Weissling currently teaches courses in AAC, aphasia, and dementia, and serves as President of the Nebraska Stroke Association. She recently served on the American Heart Association Post Acute Stroke writing group.?She is committed to advancing communication in individuals who have experienced stroke. ?

NSA Board Member Spotlight Mike?joined the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) in January 2022 as the Senior Director of Business Partnership, working across NHA subsidiaries, including NHA Services and Bio-Electronics. With a decade of experience in business development and relationship building,?Mike?is dedicated to understanding member hospitals’ needs and providing timely, cost-effective solutions through NHA's preferred partnership program. ? Prior to joining NHA, he served as Senior Business Development Manager at Spreetail, where he successfully built partnerships with manufacturers across diverse industries to strengthen their e-commerce reach. Before Spreetail,?Mike?led a team at Aureus Group's Healthcare Leadership Division, focusing on executive workforce solutions for community hospitals, critical access hospitals, and multi-specialty clinics. Earlier in his career, he was recognized as Allied Recruiter of the Year in 2012 at a national healthcare search firm. Mike?serves on the Board of Directors with the Nebraska and Western Iowa ACHE Chapter and was recently invited to join the Nebraska Stroke Association (NSA) Board. He is excited to support NSA’s mission of serving Nebraskans through stroke prevention, education, advocacy, and support services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Health, and Exercise Science from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Outside of work,?Mike?enjoys watching sports with family and friends.

The?Nebraska Stroke Association is thrilled to welcome Aubrey Paulsen as our new Executive Director. With extensive experience in the non-profit healthcare sector, Aubrey brings a dedication for relationship building and partnership management. With a natural talent for understanding needs and aligning solutions, we are excited for Aubrey to leverage her skills through our mission in finding opportunities to increase our engagement and broaden meaningful programming for Nebraska Stroke Association. Aubrey's passion for our community expands beyond her career. She?has served as a board chair for a rural healthcare system, demonstrating her?strong commitment to improving healthcare access.?Aubrey also believes in finding ways to make a positive impact across a range of causes. She has volunteered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Live On Nebraska, Tabitha Meals on Wheels, and various animal welfare organizations. Aubrey lives in Lincoln with her husband, Mike, sons, Owen and Christian and beloved dogs, Gus and Carl. Welcome, Aubrey!

https://lnkd.in/gw2yTspc Please keep Matthew, his family, friends, fans and health care team in your prayers.

?? Join Our Team: Executive Director Needed at Nebraska Stroke Association ?? Apply by: September 1, 2024 We're seeking a dedicated Executive Director to lead the Nebraska Stroke Association (NSA), a vital nonprofit focused on reducing the impact of stroke across the state through education, prevention, advocacy, and support services. This is a part-time role where you'll spearhead fundraising initiatives, manage daily operations, and drive our mission forward. Key Responsibilities: *Lead fundraising and development efforts. *Oversee daily operations and program implementation. *Represent NSA across various public platforms. Who Should Apply: *Experienced leaders with a background in fundraising, grant writing, and nonprofit management. *Individuals passionate about making a tangible impact on community health. Requirements: *Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related fields. *Strong communication and organizational skills. *Flexibility for some evening and weekend commitments. ?? Interested? Send your application letter, resume, and three references to [email protected]. Let's make a difference together!

Great opportunity!

?? Join the Nebraska State Stroke Association as the next Executive Director. ?? Position: Part-Time Executive Director ?? Location: Nebraska ?? Application Deadline: July 31, 2024 The Nebraska Stroke Association’s vision is to be a statewide resource to reduce the impact of stroke and enhance the quality of life of those affected by stroke. Our mission is to serve Nebraskans through stroke prevention, education, advocacy, and support services. Responsibilities: *Manage daily operations and activities *Fundraising and donor cultivation *Public representation and advocacy *Grant writing and reporting Qualifications: *Bachelor's degree or 3-5 years relevant experience *Excellent communication and organizational skills *Knowledge of stroke resources or willingness to learn *Proficiency in Microsoft Office and QuickBooks ?? Apply now by submitting your letter of application, resume, and three references to: [email protected] Be part of a mission-driven organization making a difference in the lives of stroke survivors. Join us and help enhance the quality of life for those affected by stroke. #StrokeAwareness #NonProfitJobs #ExecutiveDirector #NebraskaJobs

?? Join the Nebraska State Stroke Association as the next Executive Director. ?? Position: Part-Time Executive Director ?? Location: Nebraska ?? Application Deadline: July 31, 2024 The Nebraska Stroke Association’s vision is to be a statewide resource to reduce the impact of stroke and enhance the quality of life of those affected by stroke. Our mission is to serve Nebraskans through stroke prevention, education, advocacy, and support services. Responsibilities: *Manage daily operations and activities *Fundraising and donor cultivation *Public representation and advocacy *Grant writing and reporting Qualifications: *Bachelor's degree or 3-5 years relevant experience *Excellent communication and organizational skills *Knowledge of stroke resources or willingness to learn *Proficiency in Microsoft Office and QuickBooks ?? Apply now by submitting your letter of application, resume, and three references to: [email protected] Be part of a mission-driven organization making a difference in the lives of stroke survivors. Join us and help enhance the quality of life for those affected by stroke. #StrokeAwareness #NonProfitJobs #ExecutiveDirector #NebraskaJobs