Denise Gehringer didn’t expect to get so emotional at the farewell to a building.
But the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s former home is no ordinary place, even if the heart of the institute has moved to its new location.
To Gehringer, past president of the Munroe-Meyer Institute Board of Directors, the building on the western edge of UNMC’s campus became a second home as she sought care for her son Jacob, who has Down syndrome.
It became the place where another son received the cognitive rehab necessary to recover from a traumatic brain injury in a car accident.
MMI also settled the Gehringers’ search to find therapy for yet another son, who had a vocal cord dysfunction.
And one of her four sons had his career interests sparked by the Munroe-Meyer Institute. James Gehringer, PhD, now is a research assistant professor at MMI who oversees its virtual reality lab.
"I’m not sure how you say good-bye to a place that is a vessel of such profound memories," Denise Gehringer said to a group of Munroe-Meyer Institute supporters gathered to do just that.
On Monday, April 4, the people who helped infuse the Munroe-Meyer Institute with heart and care came to say good-bye to the institute’s former home. About 40 MMI supporters, including UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, said their farewells in advance of demolition starting on the property to prepare it for potential future UNMC development.
The former Munroe-Meyer Institute building will be demolished for potential future UNMC campus development.
Steve McWhorter, president of the Hattie B. Munroe Foundation board, recalled the century-long partnership between UNMC and the foundation to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
That partnership has evolved over the decades, McWhorter said. It has, he said, "created a culture and a legacy, of total transparency and resolve, to work together to develop and implement leading-edge programs and services to improve the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities."
Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD, director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute, honored the institute’s former home as the place "where the magic happened for many decades."
"We honor our giants," Dr. Mirnics said. "We stand on their shoulders. We remember. But we also grow."
While it is time to say good-bye to the former MMI building, Dr. Mirnics said, it also is a time to build new memories. In that change, he said, MMI’s mission, its caring, commitment and hard work do not change.
Dr. Gold recognized the people behind the Munroe-Meyer Institute for making a difference at the institute every day. He called them "the true legacy of the Munroe-Meyer Institute."
While the former building’s bricks and mortar will fall away, Dr. Gold said, "the history, the legacy and most importantly the mission lives on."
Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, talks with Steve McWhorter, president of the Hattie B. Munroe Foundation board.
At left, MMI Director Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD, talks with Myrna Krohn, a longtime MMI supporter, and Steve McWhorter.
Dr. Gold speaks with Denise Gehringer and her son, Jacob.
Years ago, our 4-year old had speech delays so we took him to MMI. The progress he made was amazing. At one point one of us said, "Well, he may never do any public speaking." and the speech therapist responded, "Oh, we'll see about that." By high school, he was winning in speech competitions.
Great story, a truly profound history that continues to give to the community! Wayne Stuberg, Emeritus Professor
Denise Gehringer's comments moved several in the audience to tears. Her family's journey truly has been extraordinary. What a treasure MMI is to our community and beyond. Indeed, magic happens here.
So many memories. If those walls could talk about all the wonderful things done in that building