Live United 2010 – meet committee member Mary McNamee, Ph.D.

Mary McNamee, Ph.D.

Throughout this year’s United Way campaign, UNMC Today will profile members of the medical center’s United Way committee.

Today we feature Mary McNamee, Ph.D., assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs and director of the Office of Student Equity and Multicultural Affairs, who has been on the committee for five years.

Why do you participate in the campaign every year?

I participate in the United Way Campaign every year because I know that through coordinated giving efforts like United Way, we can impact the health and welfare of our community — and that the money given stays here in the community.

Participation rankings Below are the campus participation rankings by unit as of Monday afternoon: Chancellor’s unit — 69 percent Allied Health — 58 percent Nursing — 55 percent Academic Affairs — 45 percent Public Health — 39 percent Research — 34 percent ITS — 33 percent Business/Finance — 31 percent Eppley Institute — 20 percent Munroe-Meyer — 17 percent Medicine — 13 percent Pharmacy — 12 percent Dentistry — 5 percent

Have you or anyone you know ever benefited from the United Way’s support?

Everyone benefits from United Way support. The United Way affiliated community agencies provide preventive, acute, chronic, rehabilitative and palliative care services for our relatives, friends, students and neighbors. As a longtime member of the board of directors of both Hope Medical Outreach Coalition and Project Hope food pantry, I know the importance of the services United Way affiliates provide for less fortunate members of our community. These services make Omaha a better place to live.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your work with the campaign?

The most rewarding aspect of my work with the campaign is reaching goals and knowing that UNMC, with its lofty towers and scientific environmental aura, is truly a community of workers who care for others.