Ethics of the Body: A Night With UNMC

Friday, February 20

6:30 pm

Join Dr. Sean Figy, Dr. Andrew Hollins, Dr. Eric Nagengast and Dr. James Vargo for an illuminating evening of conversation at the intersection of medicine, ethics, and identity. Drawing on their clinical experience, these UNMC plastic and reconstructive surgeons explore the ethical questions surrounding choice, transformation, and responsibility in a field where science and self-perception closely intertwine. Thoughtful and accessible, the program invites audiences to consider how medical decisions shape not only bodies, but lives—and what ethical care looks like in an age of rapidly advancing surgical possibilities.

Tickets:

General Admission: $20
Students/Members: $15

Bios:

Dr. Andrew Hollins is A graduate of UNMC’s College of Medicine, Dr. Hollins completed his plastic surgery residency at Duke University and fellowship in surgery of the hand at Curtis National Hand Center. He provides services in arthritis, bone fractures, orthopaedics, peripheral nerve surgery, plastic surgery, and target muscle reinnervation.

Dr. Eric Nagengast is an assistant professor in plastic and reconstructive surgery at UNMC. He earned his MD from UNMC, where he was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, and holds degrees in biochemistry and public health from USC. His training includes residency at USC Keck School of Medicine and fellowships with Operation Smile and Children's Hospital Los Angeles in craniofacial surgery. He has published extensively and developed a patient-centric approach through his global health work.

Dr. James Vargo is a pediatric craniofacial surgeon at Children's Nebraska, where he serves as Division Chief of Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery and Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center. He earned his MD from The Ohio State University, completed residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center, and fellowship at the University of Michigan. His clinical focus includes cleft and craniofacial anomalies, facial reconstruction, and pediatric trauma. He is also a medical illustrator with over 100 published illustrations worldwide.

Dr. Sean Figy earned his biology degree from Siena College and MD from the University of Toledo. He completed residency at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and a microsurgery fellowship at The Ohio State University. His practice focuses on reconstructive plastic surgery, lymphatic surgery, and person-affirming surgery at clinical sites in Omaha and North Platte, Nebraska. He has published extensively and presented on burn management, lymphedema treatment, and gender-affirming care. Outside medicine, he enjoys snow skiing, water skiing, and SCUBA diving.