Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., opened his campus forum at the UNMC College of Dentistry last week congratulating the class of 2019 and thanking all the faculty and staff members who play a part in commencement celebrations.
“I would also like to congratulate the graduates,” Dr. Gold said. “I enjoy seeing the excitement in their eyes and witnessing them achieve their dreams. Our graduates are going to change the lives of others for decades to come.”
He was joined by Janet Guthmiller, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Dentistry. Together, they discussed an array of topics including celebrating faculty achievements at the upcoming faculty awards ceremony; the College of Medicine Alumni Council’s 33rd Latta Lecture featuring Victor J. Dzau, M.D.; and President Hank Bound’s upcoming departure.
The topic of wellness was discussed in detail. Drs. Gold and Guthmiller recounted discussions that took place at the recent Breakthrough Thinking Conference on the role of empathy in health care and how a focus on empathy could strengthen UNMC programs around resilience and wellness.
“We are capable of creating micro cultures of empathy,” said Dr. Guthmiller. Dr. Gold encouraged employees to continue having conversations on how to help improve the well-being of employees, patients and community members.
When asked “what keeps him up at night,” Dr. Gold said he believes that UNMC can achieve more in the areas of our educational programs, research and patient care. “We can set more aspirational goals given our amazing faculty, students and staff.”
As for what gives him peace of mind, he said that UNMC has great leadership overseeing growth-related areas, and that he appreciates that the statewide community cares about the work being done at UNMC and supports growth initiatives.
Dr. Gold shared that UNMC is offered new opportunities every day to be involved with various initiatives, but the university is selective about which opportunities are pursued. Dr. Guthmiller described one such opportunity — the significant expansion of the College of Dentistry’s adult dentistry clinic at the Durham Outpatient Center. The growth allows the College of Dentistry to accommodate a new residency program: Advanced Education in General Dentistry. There are also renovations planned for the College of Dentistry in Lincoln.
One audience member inquired about UNMC’s five-year growth plan. Dr. Gold said there are important growth opportunities in the areas of enrollment, programs and research. He reminded audience members that every employee has a part in helping UNMC grow. Through our interactions with students, patients and community members, and striving for excellence in our respective roles, we help gain the confidence and support of the community we serve.