University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., and nine top UNMC leaders will visit nine communities in Nebraska on June 26-27. During its annual trip, the team will meet with community leaders in Alliance, Broken Bow, Chadron, Lexington, McCook, North Platte, Scottsbluff, Sidney and Valentine.

 

The purpose of the visits is to learn about community needs and new initiatives, as well as to provide updates on how UNMC is improving the health of Nebraska through its education, research and patient care programs. The updates will include information about programs targeted toward improving the health of rural Nebraskans.

 

Health care reform and the medical center’s rise in national rankings in its primary care, rural medicine and research programs also will be discussed.

 

In addition, leaders will outline plans for “Building a Healthier Nebraska” projects involving UNMC: a $19 million, 30,000-square-foot facility at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to provide more space for UNK’s science programs and for expansion of UNMC’s nursing and allied health programs; and a $370 million cancer center in Omaha that will receive $50 million in state funds.

 

The public is invited to community receptions in Scottsbluff, Chadron and Alliance. UNMC leaders will attend other events hosted by local organizations.

 

“Thanks in large part to the support and effort from citizens across Nebraska, we’ve had another successful year of making strides in improving Nebraska’s health,” Dr. Maurer said. “UNMC is a resource for the state. Each year we take the time to connect with communities to provide updates on our success and progress and thank Nebraskans for their support.”

 

Tuesday, June 26

Scottsbluff – Community reception, 5 to 6 p.m., UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division, Panhandle Research & Extension Building foyer, 4201 Avenue I. The event is hosted by the UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division. RSVP by June 19 to Bobbi Hartshorn, 308-632-0410 or [email protected].

 

Wednesday, June 27

Alliance – Community breakfast, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Box Butte General Hospital Sandhills Room, 2101 Box Butte Ave. RSVP by June 19 to Mary Stacy, 402-559-4353 or [email protected]. The event is hosted by Box Butte General Hospital.

Chadron – Community breakfast, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Sandoz Center Atrium, 1000 Main Street. RSVP by June 19 to Mary Stacy, 402-559-4353 or [email protected]. The breakfast is hosted by Chadron State College.

Joining Dr. Maurer on the trip will be: Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs; Ken  Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director, Eppley Cancer Center; Mike Leibowitz, Ph.D., director, Munroe-Meyer Institute; Bradley Britigan, M.D., dean, College of Medicine; Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., senior associate dean, School of Allied Health Professions; Dele Davies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs; Ayman El-Mohandes, M.B.B.Ch., M.D., M.P.H., dean, College of Public Health; John Reinhardt, D.D.S., dean, College of Dentistry; and Juliann Sebastian, Ph.D., dean, College of Nursing.