Time out with T.O. – A special gift

As a former speech pathologist, Myrna Krohn knows all about working with children with special needs.

A huge advocate for UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute — she worked there before she started her family and has served intermittently on the MMI board for more than 30 years.

Tom O’Connor

Having seen first-hand how MMI makes a difference for children with developmental disabilities, Myrna and her husband, Bob, a successful Omaha businessman, knew it was time for them to make a difference.

The Krohns had long admired the work of Bruce Buehler, M.D., the director of MMI from 1983 to 2007, and they wanted do something to recognize Bruce.

Their decision — to create the Bruce A. Buehler, M.D. Professorship in the Munroe-Meyer Institute — is one that will be felt by generations to come.

The professorship will allow MMI to enhance its clinical genetics specialty and become one of the premier programs in the country, said Mike Leibowitz, Ph.D., the current director of MMI.

Bruce Buehler, M.D., left, recently had a professorship named for him thanks to a donation by Omaha’s Myrna and Bob Krohn.

“It’s transforming,” Dr. Leibowitz said. “It will enable us to recruit outstanding new faculty in genetics and provide support for their research and academic initiatives. We can’t thank the Krohns enough.”

Recognizing Dr. Buehler was an easy choice, Myrna Krohn said.

“Bruce had the vision for what could and should be done with MMI,” she said. “He made genetics and providing diagnostic and treatment services a priority, and he established clinics around the state so people didn’t have to drive so far for services. He created a foundation of excellence that made the institute one of the best in the country for people with special needs.”

The Krohns established the professorship through a $500,000 donation to the University of Nebraska Foundation.

For children with developmental disabilities, the Krohns are — no doubt — pretty special.