On Thursday, Sept. 27, MMI director Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., was joined by UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., to welcome more than 35 community leaders to an event designed to open the door for greater collaboration between MMI and other agencies and organizations with a stake in Nebraska intellectually and developmental disabled (IDD) communities.
Along with representative from the state government and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, leaders from organizations such as the Autism Action Partnership, Down Syndrome Association for Families, Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska and other entities attended the event, during which Dr. Mirnics laid out his vision for MMI and how he hoped to partner with the broader IDD community.
The meeting was the first of what Dr. Mirnics hopes to make an annual tradition.
Welcoming the visitors, Dr. Gold said that in the view of the Board of Regents, the state and the med center, MMI was “a jewel in the crown” of UNMC.
“This meeting is an example of cutting across all four of our missions — education, research, clinical care and engaging with the community,” he said.
Dr. Mirnics told the assembled community leaders that he wanted to listen and learn from them. He added that they can expect to see MMI have a much larger presence in the community, especially at area events.
“This community is amazing, and we can build something together than is unprecedented,” he said.
Mike Messerole, Ph.D., assistant director of health, physical education and recreation at UNO, said he enjoyed hearing Dr. Mirnics’ vision.
“I like the breadth and depth of his vision, and I’m specifically excited to see MMI expanding into looking at the whole lifespan,” he said. “I’m excited to see the new partnerships that are going to come out as he gets to know the people in the community.”
Carolyn Anderson of Why Arts?, who is already exploring collaborative programs with Dr. Mirnics, said that everyone can benefit from increased cooperation.
“He knows how to move things forward,” she said of Dr. Mirnics. “You know when he says he has goals, they’ll probably get accomplished.