UNMC launches weekly TV segments on KETV NewsWatch 7









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Gib Willett, Ph.D., interim director of the School of Allied Health Professions physical therapy education program, demonstrates principles of good posture using a skeletal model for an upcoming “Health Watch Asks, UNMC Answers” segment on KETV NewsWatch 7. The segments, which feature UNMC experts discussing health topics, begin airing Friday.

When it comes to something really important, such as one’s health, most people want to hear from the experts.

Providing up-to-the-minute, valuable information on a variety of health topics is the foundation of a new partnership between UNMC and Omaha’s KETV NewsWatch 7.

The partnership will feature segments, which will begin airing Friday, called “Health Watch Asks, UNMC Answers.” The segments will highlight the great work and talent of UNMC faculty, said Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC chancellor.

“In addition to training future health care professionals, our faculty at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is always looking for ways to serve our community,” Dr. Maurer said. “Beyond providing timely health news information, this partnership allows us to share our expertise on a broad spectrum of health subjects such as dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing, research and medicine.”

The segments will feature faculty from each of UNMC’s colleges and units. The UNMC Physicians phone number will be provided following the segments for viewers seeking more information.

Staff in UNMC’s public relations department will tape five weekly segments for KETV. Each segment will be one minute in length with a question and answer format. Viewers will be able to send their questions to KETV NewsWatch 7, or submit them to UNMC at www.unmc.edu/askunmc.

“This is an excellent opportunity for patients to become advocates for their health and well-being,” said Rodney Markin, M.D., Ph.D., president of UNMC Physicians. “We hope this partnership will empower people with critical information that they can use in their daily lives.”

The segments will air on KETV NewsWatch 7 during the following newscasts:

  • Friday — 6 p.m.
  • Saturday — 8 a.m.
  • Sunday — 8 a.m.
  • Sunday evening — 10 p.m.
  • Monday — 6 a.m.

“Our viewers are always looking for beneficial health information,” said Rose Ann Shannon, KETV NewsWatch 7 news director. “UNMC has experts in every health field. We hope these segments become conversations with our community. We think people are going to really look forward to this information and make it a point to tune in.”












Partnership profile



Watch KETV NewsWatch 7 tonight at 6 p.m. for a story on the “Making Of” this partnership. The “Health Watch Asks, UNMC Answers” segments will run at the following times:

  • Friday — 6 p.m.
  • Saturday — 8 a.m.
  • Sunday — 8 a.m.
  • Sunday evening — 10 p.m.
  • Monday — 6 a.m.

For more information go to www.ketv.com or www.unmc.edu/askunmc.




According to Nielsen ratings, KETV NewsWatch 7 has the highest rated newscasts in the Omaha television market. The Sunday 10 p.m newscast is the station’s highest rated. Each week, these segments will reach more than 166,000 people. The weekly media ad value is $4,798. That number represents what it would cost UNMC to advertise during those newscasts.

“Over the course of a year, these segments will reach more than 8.6 million viewers and provide nearly $250,000 in media ad value,” said Renee Fry, UNMC public relations director. “We are excited KETV NewsWatch 7 leaders saw value in our product and decided to feature these segments in prominent newscasts.”

While the segments will air locally on KETV NewsWatch 7, the information will be broadcast statewide and around the world through UNMC’s Web site. In addition, the media team will provide audio clips of the segments to radio stations in Nebraska.

“This is a great opportunity for us to share our expertise, not only to Nebraskans, but globally,” Fry said. “As we build up this library of health information on our Web site, we’ll be able to repurpose it for people to access in other ways, such as through iTunes and other social media sites.”

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