Dr. Rupp to step down as infectious diseases chief

Mark Rupp, MD, will step down from his role as chief of the UNMC Division of Infectious Diseases in 2024.

Debra Romberger, MD, chair of the UNMC Division of Internal Medicine, announced Dr. Rupp’s decision to the division and others in the department earlier this month. He will remain as chief during a national search that soon will be underway, Dr. Romberger said, and he will continue as faculty when he leaves the chief role.

“Dr. Rupp has provided nearly 13 years of outstanding leadership as division chief,” Dr. Romberger said. “The division has grown in number of faculty, fellows, APPs and staff, as well as in the complex services they provide.

“Dr. Rupp was an amazing servant leader throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and he helped his team provide incredible service to his division, his department, our patients and all his fellow Nebraskans.

“He has done a wonderful job of balancing the educational, research and clinical missions of the division and department, and he is known as both an excellent teacher and productive clinical investigator.”

UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, said Dr. Rupp’s leadership of the division during the COVID pandemic was exemplary.

“During an intense and challenging period, UNMC’s infectious diseases division rose to the challenge,” Dr. Gold said. “The division’s efforts, and the strength of the division today, are a fitting capstone to Dr. Rupp’s tenure as chief, setting a trajectory for our continued national role in health security.”

Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, thanked Dr. Rupp for his exceptional leadership.

“Dr. Rupp has guided the division of infectious diseases through an unparalleled period of growth and development of interdisciplinary subspecialty expertise,” Dr. Britigan said. “The programs created during his tenure have enhanced clinical care of the complex infectious disease problems seen at Nebraska Medicine, as well leading efforts within the state, nationally and internationally to combat inappropriate use of antibiotics, as well as responding to emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola and COVID.

“He is recognized as a leader within his field of hospital epidemiology and infection control, and, through his leadership, the division has evolved to be among the most respected academic infectious disease units in the country.”

Nebraska Medicine Chief Medical and External Affairs Officer Harris A. Frankel, MD, said: “Dr. Rupp has been an exceptional leader and ambassador for Nebraska Medicine in leading our infectious disease efforts locally, regionally and nationally.”

Dr. Rupp called it an honor and privilege to serve as the chief of the division.

“I am immensely proud of the faculty and staff and their nationally recognized accomplishments and reputation for excellence,” Dr. Rupp said. “The ID division helps care for medically complex patients throughout our health care system, educates and mentors students and trainees to enable them to reach their full potential and expands our knowledge through a robust portfolio of sponsored clinical research projects. 

“In recent years, the division has greatly expanded in size, with a commensurate increase in clinical research and educational offerings,” he said. “It is a great time for me to step aside to enable the next leader to continue the upward trajectory. I am pleased to stay on as chief through the transition and hope to remain an active and productive UNMC faculty member after new leadership is in place.”

The vacancy Dr. Rupp will leave as director of Nebraska Medicine’s Infection Control and Epidemiology will be filled by Kelly Cawcutt, MD.

“Dr. Cawcutt proved herself to be a formidable leader during our COVID-19 response and has our utmost confidence in her ability to take the helm of Nebraska Medicine’s Infection Control and Epidemiology going forward. I personally look forward to working along her side,” Dr. Frankel said.