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College of Nursing Dean Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc., left, with Sen. Mike Flood, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature. Flood and Dr. Tilden have worked closely in the development of a College of Nursing Division in Flood’s hometown of Norfolk. |
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Diane Wagner, member of the UNMC Delegates program, looks at a human patient simulator in the Sorrell Center’s Clinical Skills Laboratory during tours. She is the mother of Elizabeth Beam who works for the UNMC College of Nursing. |
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Delegate members, Omahans Greg Minter and his wife, Jane, attended the event featuring Sen. Mike Flood. |
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Flood, left, and UNMC first-year medical student Kyle Smith, who also is from Norfolk. |
The senator, who also is Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, has worked hand-in-hand with UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., and other medical center officials to establish a UNMC College of Nursing Division in Flood’s native Norfolk.
“From its schools of nursing to clinical rotations, UNMC walks the walk. … You may think I’m biased, but I’ve seen UNMC work,” Flood said. “Chancellor Maurer listened to my corner of the state.”
Flood made his comments on Jan. 14 during a UNMC Delegates event at the Sorrell Center. About 130 people braved frigid temperatures to hear the senator and tour the new home of the UNMC College of Medicine, including its state-of-the-art clinical skills laboratory.
Dr. Maurer introduced Flood and credited the senator for being the leading force behind plans to build a privately funded, $12.9 million UNMC College of Nursing division facility in Norfolk. The Norfolk community partnership includes UNMC, Northeast Community College and Faith Regional Health Services.
Talk of a Norfolk nursing division originated with an inquiry in 2006 from Flood to help address the growing demand for acute care in northern and northeast Nebraska and the associated need to increase the number of nurses with bachelor’s and graduate degrees.
Northeast Nebraska, which already has fewer registered nurses and nurses with bachelor’s and master’s degrees than other regions in the state, will be hit particularly hard by this shortage, officials said.
“Sen. Flood is passionate about having a UNMC nursing division in Norfolk,” Dr. Maurer said, “and Northeast Community College was eager to change its curriculum to accommodate UNMC.”
To date, more than $10 million of the $12.9 million has been raised, Dr. Maurer said. Final approval of the project will be brought before the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
Flood said he approached the university about creating a division of nursing in Norfolk because he’s a believer in what Dr. Maurer and UNMC can accomplish. He spoke about how quickly teams of people came together to do a feasibility study and put a plan into action.
“Dean Virginia Tilden, Bob Bartee (UNMC’s vice chancellor for external affairs) and College of Nursing administrators studied the problem. What I found impressive was the professionalism of the administrators at UNMC,” he said. “We were really introduced to some class acts here at the College of Nursing.
“Today, the most dynamic partnership is developing between UNMC and Northeast Community College.”
It’s been tough work, Flood said, but UNMC has made it happen.
Flood also commented on UNMC’s research enterprise, noting that the medical center’s basic and clinical research are critical state assets that will save lives and allow for continued economic growth statewide.
“In the next 20 years, health care will lead the way in creating good paying jobs in urban and rural Nebraska,” he said. “UNMC is well-positioned to meet health care resource needs in Nebraska.”
Flood also discussed issues before the Nebraska Legislature, health workforce issues and economic development.
Omahans Greg Minter and his wife, Jane, are both UNMC Delegates. They said they enjoy being part of the program.
“I think it’s an excellent program,” Greg Minter said. “It’s educational and it creates a community where people focus on the medical center.”
“I like the tours,” Jane Minter said. “Instead of saying we heard something about UNMC, we can tell people about what’s going on at UNMC and educate the community about what UNMC is doing.”
Kyle Smith, a first-year medical student from Norfolk, said he attended his first UNMC Delegate event to hear fellow Norfolk resident, Flood.
“I definitely would like to be more involved with this program,” he said.
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Mark Bowen, director of government relations, said UNMC Delegates are effective advocates for the medical center.
“Delegates tell us they like visiting the campus to hear speakers, see research projects and stay informed about policy issues that affect UNMC,” he said. They especially enjoy opportunities such as the annual dinner when they have a chance to hear and visit directly with elected officials like Sen. Flood.
“They stay in touch with what’s happening at UNMC and are willing to express their opinion on issues important to UNMC. We truly appreciate their involvement.”
The delegates program is free. Delegates receive informational e-mails regarding congressional and state legislative developments and are called to action when crucial issues arise.
The UNMC Board of Counselors, an advisory group of community and business leaders from across the state, sponsors the program.