The University of Nebraska Medical Center will launch a 26-week pilot
cable television show on July 28 at 9:30 p.m., on Cox O2TV, channel 2.
The topic for the shows premiere is, Cancer Research and the Media: Fact
or Hype.
The program, A Healthy Debate, will focus on ethical, scientific and
practical aspects of health issues of interest to Nebraskans, and will
be shown weekly at 9:30 p.m., Tuesdays.
Becky Anderson, a genetic counselor at the Munroe-Meyer Institute for
Genetics and Rehabilitation, will host the half-hour talk show. Each week
Anderson, two panelists and an audience of about 10 members from the Omaha
community, will debate the hottest topics in the medical world. Panelists
and audience members will change for each show.
The second show on Viagra: Who Should Get It and Who Should Pay
for It? will air on Aug. 4. The third show on menopause will air Aug.11.
Other topics that will be covered during the series will include human
cloning, assisted suicide and the terminally ill, herbal medicines and
genetic forecasting.
“I look forward to exploring the pros and cons that contemporary health
issues bring”, Anderson said. “The community-based audience will reveal
a variety of viewpoints held by many Nebraskans.”
Sandy Goetzinger-Comer, director of UNMC public affairs, said part of
the mission at UNMC is to challenge people to think.
“Through A Healthy Debate, we want to provide a forum in which health
experts and citizens in the community can conduct a real and illuminating
dialogue on health issues of the day,” Goetzinger-Comer said.
Feedback from the community, future topics and potential audience participants
will be solicited through UNMC’s web site at http://www.unmc.edu/healthydebate,
as well as through the show.
Mike Kohler, director of public affairs at Cox Communication said the
show provides a service to the community.
“02TV has always pursued a strong community service strategy and this
alliance with UNMC fits perfectly,” Kohler said. “By joining forces, Cox
draws upon UNMC’s expertise in health care issues and takes that expertise
to the community.”
The show will be taped at O2TV studios at 50th and Dodge streets and
broadcast on Cox Digital Television. Anyone interested in being an audience
member should call, (402) 559-4353.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education and patient care, UNMC has
established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research
and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than $27 million in
research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually.
In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more
health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.