Tony Vargas, a candidate for the Nebraska State Legislature in District 7, toured UNMC in August.
Vargas met with UNMC leadership as well as College of Public Health leaders to discuss the university’s collaboration with the state and its public health outreach efforts.
“UNMC is part of the fabric of our University of Nebraska system, and it’s been doing amazing work in the community, not just in terms of providing health care access, but also in terms of preventive care, mental health care,” Vargas said. “I represent a district with a very diverse constituency, and I want to continue to figure out UNMC’s ability to support my district and Omaha.”
Vargas, who also met with UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., said he was encouraged at UNMC’s willingness to collaborate with lawmakers to address questions of access, mental health issues and other health care concerns in his community.
Vargas said his background — a first-generation American from a “proud immigrant family,” is why he wants to be a representative for Omaha and for District 7.
“I want to fight for people who are trying to do more in their life, trying to take care of their families, and that means we need a strong public health care sector supporting our families across Omaha. That’s what I’m committed to doing.”