Jane Meza, PhD, interim executive director for the UNMC Office of Health Security, joined UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, at this week’s all-campus forum.
Dr. Meza briefed the medical center community on the upcoming May 11 expiration of U.S. public health emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drs. Gold and Meza warned that testing, lab costs and vaccinations will no longer be free – and out-of-pocket costs could depend on your respective insurance plan. If you are thinking about getting a booster dose, or even your first shot of the vaccine, “this would be a good time,” Dr. Gold said.
Federal vaccine requirements will fall to the wayside. But UNMC clinical faculty and students will adhere to the guidelines of our clinical partners, Dr. Gold said.
In other news, the chancellor:
- Bestowed degrees at commencements in Lincoln, Kearney, Norfolk, Scottsbluff and Omaha, and congratulated almost 1,000 graduates. “I could never be prouder to be the chancellor, and every one of those graduates makes me feel that way,” he said.
- Praised outgoing UNMC Student Regent Nicole Kent and her team as the inspiration behind the UNMC Labs mascot. UNMC Today has offered the campus brand guidelines and merchandise updates.
- Hailed the recent groundbreaking of the Saddle Creek development of the Catalyst. The public-private project is a “healthy start” to continued research growth and keeping commercialization of homegrown ideas here, instead of it heading for the coasts.
- Thanked Ted Carter, president of the University of Nebraska System, and Heath Mello, NU vice president for external relations, for working to secure state funding increases of 2.5% for each of the next two years, in addition to the support for the expansion of the Kearney Health Science Education Center facility.
- Outlined the process behind the setting of the NU System budget. This will include future tuition and student fees. Final approval of the NU budget is set for the June Board of Regents meeting. The UNMC budget decisions for the upcoming two years will be based upon determinations made by the Regents and requirements set by the Office of the President.
- Celebrated the “substantial increase” in graduate medical education (GME) funding, which will allow the start of new residency and fellowship programs and the expansion of existing programs. This likely will lead to a significant opportunity for Nebraska’s rural communities.
- Gave an update on UNMC’s continued Kearney expansion. The Nebraska Legislature has approved state funding, and private donations are coming along apace. “There’s still work to do; however, there is a great deal of enthusiasm for making this project highly successful,” Dr. Gold said. Groundbreaking could follow soon after the private funding match is completed.
- Gave updates on UNMC leadership searches, all coming along nicely. Dr. Gold praised Anne Bowen Fischer, senior assistant to the chancellor, as the “glue” who holds together the various hard-working search committees.
- Raved about a visit with incoming dean of nursing Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, who was just in town for several events and is preparing her move to Nebraska. Dr. Gold also noted the bittersweet occasion of the final commencements with Juliann Sebastian, PhD, as dean: “We all will miss her greatly in this role.”
- Said Project NeXT is in site preparation for Phase 1, which includes Nebraska Medicine-UNMC aspects, but not any state or federal features. The project will have several phases, including the potential federal departmental partnerships, the chancellor said.
- Noted he is as interested as anyone on an update on a coffee station in the Wigton Heritage Center. “We are currently negotiating with at least a dozen different vendors,” Dr. Gold said. There will likely be an after-hours vending option as well.
- Announced an upcoming Wigton Heritage Center exhibit that will feature the history of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, honoring Philip Smith, MD.
- Took it as a “to-do homework item” to speak with Charlotte Evans, chief of police and associate vice chancellor for the UNMC Department of Public Safety, regarding increased campus security in the wake of continued mass shootings across the U.S. Dr. Gold said despite our good-neighbor instinct to hold doors, he is trying to train himself to ask others to “Please swipe in.”
- Celebrated a recent visit of the UNMC Board of Counselors, an advisory group with dozens of members from across Nebraska. He thanked those who organized the many tours and visits.
- Urged the UNMC community to be aware and take advantage of the resources available in the realms of wellness and mental health. Continue to show grace for yourself and others in these stressful times, Dr. Gold said.
Finally, the chancellor thanked the med center community. “You are appreciated,” the chancellor said. “I know the workload is extremely high right now.” But, he hopes we will use the Memorial Day holiday to take some time with friends and loved ones.
“We have so much to be proud of,” Dr. Gold said, “and I am deeply grateful for all of it.”