The last time Nebraska State Sen. Wendy DeBoer toured UNMC in 2018, she was a candidate for office, the Davis Global Center was not yet completed, and COVID-19 was far in the future.
"I imagine some changes have happened since then," said DeBoer, who represents the 10th District, north of Maple Street in west Omaha, in the Nebraska Legislature. "I was curious to see how you all are doing at UNMC – I wanted to do a wellness check and ask how I can help."
One reason for the visit – which included a meeting with UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, Vice Chancellor for External Relations Bob Bartee and other UNMC leaders – was to learn more about UNMC as state leaders examine proposals for Rescue Plan Act funding, DeBoer said.
"Knowing how I can help, making sure things are OK, and just having enough information as we’re performing that difficult balancing act between all the needs of the state – it’s important that I have had the ability to see firsthand the work that is being done here."
During her visit, DeBoer also toured the Global Center for Health Security and the iEXCEL program in the Davis Global Center.
DeBoer said she was interested in learning about UNMC’s needs.
"How can we partner to make the whole state better?" she said.