UNMC must continue to proceed with vigor on its strategic priorities, overcoming any obstacles that a sagging economy and reduced state funding may bring.
That was the message Monday from UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., who addressed about 150 faculty at their annual meeting. NU Regent Howard Hawks also was among those in attendance. In addition to Dr. Maurer’s message, the meeting included Faculty Senate President Lynne Farr, Ph.D., recapping the Senate’s activities; the year’s outstanding teachers being honored; and faculty who have served 10, 20 and 30 years at UNMC being recognized.
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S. James Booth, Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of pathology and microbiology, poses with his wife, UNMC researcher Jodi Booth, after being awarded the Outstanding Teacher Award at the Annual Faculty Meeting. Keith Allen, Ph.D. and James Turpen, Ph.D. also were honored as outstanding teachers. |
In his annual address, Dr. Maurer said that UNMC “must look to help itself” in the next couple of years.
“The funding from the state may not be there,” Dr. Maurer said. “We need to have our own prescription for success.”
He cited five means by which UNMC can enhance itself.
- Achieve extramural research funding of $100 million by 2005. From 1997 to 2002, UNMC’s research support grew from $27 million to more than $50 million. During that time, both the funding from the National Institutes of Health and overall federal support more than doubled. Even though NIH funding nationwide is expected to be flat over the next couple of years, UNMC must continue to expand its research enterprise, focusing on strategic areas, Dr. Maurer said.
- Pursuing entrepreneurial initiatives that would result in increased funding for the university, such as the University of Florida’s development of Gatorade. Dr. Maurer noted that a promising nutritional supplement is being developed at UNMC, as well.
- Ensure the future of NHS and practice plans. With increased hospital revenue, more money would be directed toward research and development at UNMC, Dr. Maurer noted.
- Attain higher levels of philanthropy. Dr. Maurer said that UNMC has received $160 million in philanthropic support during his tenure as chancellor, “but you can’t go back to the same people.” He quipped that someone told him that in fund raising, “The first $160 million is easy, the next $160 million will be hard.”
- Achieve operational efficiencies. “We are lean and mean at the medical center,” Dr. Maurer said. “But in all likelihood, come next year, if the economy is still poor, we may need additional cutbacks.”
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Faculty Senate President Lynne Farr, Ph.D., professor in the College of Nursing, recaps the Senate’s 2002-2003 activities during the Annual Faculty Meeting. |
One of the legs on that triangle is research, and Dr. Maurer noted that one of UNMC’s research strengths, bioterrorism preparedness, drew several high-level federal and state officials to the campus this year. That list included Gov. Tom Ridge, secretary for the Department of Homeland Defense; D.A. Henderson, M.D., a key federal advisor who spearheaded the smallpox eradication plan; the entire Nebraska Congressional delegation; Gov. Mike Johanns; and federal advisors Jerry Hauer, M.D., and Michael Asher, M.D.
“I know that many of you (the faculty) bring world-class clinicians and scientists to campus nearly every day,” Dr. Maurer said. “At the national level, bringing in people who have an impact on the decision-making process is very important.”
The hope that UNMC will be home to a National Emergency Preparedness Laboratory Center, which would augment the work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is one reason that Dr. Maurer is optimistic about the future of UNMC. Another reason is the quality of the university’s faculty and staff.
“Despite the state budget crisis, the medical center is doing very well,” Dr. Maurer said. “Because of your efforts, the momentum of the medical center is really, really very strong.”