UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology, ophthalmology and arthritis. UNMC’s research funding from external sources is now nearly $80 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,600 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes more than 460 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties. They practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center, UNMC’s teaching hospital. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
They’ve done it again.
Omaha philanthropists Ruth and Bill Scott have made another major investment – their third this year – to the University of Nebraska Foundation to advance the objectives of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
The latest Scotts’ gift honors their longtime friends, Fred Paustian, M.D., and his wife, Mary Ann “Maisie.” Dr. Paustian was the first specialty-trained gastroenterologist in Nebraska, and through his leadership, gastroenterology has become one of UNMC’s clinical centers of excellence.
The gift will designate the two primary amphitheaters in the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education to be named in honor of the Paustians. They will be called the Frederick F. Paustian, M.D. Amphitheater and the Mary Ann “Maisie” Paustian Amphitheater.
In addition, the Scotts’ gift will provide funding to name new laboratories on one-half of a floor in UNMC’s second research tower the Frederick F. Paustian, M.D., Gastroenterology Research Laboratories. The construction of the second 10-story research tower, which will cost $74 million, is expected to begin in early 2007 and be completed in late 2008 or early 2009. It will be a twin research tower to the Durham Research Center, which was completed in 2003.
“I met Fred through a bridge group,” said Ruth Scott. “He became the doctor for the group. If they had a pain in their belly or a tingle in their finger, they called Fred. We always knew we could call Fred if we ever got sick. It’s not hard to love Fred and Maisie. Our kids went to high school together and used to play together. Plus, I could always go to Fred and he’d listen to all my jokes.”
They were the largest of eight donors to fund construction of the Sorrell Center for Health Science Education earlier this year. They also created the Nebraska Arthritis Outcomes Research Center at UNMC in 2006. Located on the third floor of Poynter Hall, the center studies the epidemiology of arthritis and tries to better analyze the determinants which predict outcomes for arthritis sufferers. In 2003, the Scotts funded neuroscience research laboratories on the third floor of the Durham Research Center and supported the orthopaedic research laboratories located at the Scott Transfer Technology Center at the Peter Kiewit Institute.
“I’m running out of superlatives to describe the Scotts,” said Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC chancellor. “What they have done to support the medical center is absolutely incredible. Their generosity is truly making a difference. We can’t thank them enough for helping us transform our medical center into a world-class institution.”
Randy Ferlic, M.D., a current member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and a close personal friend of the Paustians and the Scotts, echoed Dr. Maurer’s sentiments about the Scotts.
“I can’t say enough about Ruth and Bill Scott,” Dr. Ferlic said. “They epitomize true, heartfelt philanthropy. They don’t seek the recognition. They don’t even want a thank you – that means they haven’t attached a price to their gift. They want to do it.
“There are many stories that will never be told (about the Scotts’ generosity). Their gifts have been much more than helping with buildings. They have helped many students in need get through college and medical school. The mere mention of a student in need is of interest to the Scotts.”