Three connected but administratively separate organizations – The Nebraska Medical Center, UNMC Physicians and Bellevue Medical Center – are becoming one enterprise, and a new advisory board has been created to provide advice, support and eventually oversight.
“This board’s formation is a significant step forward in the creation of our new clinical enterprise,” said Bill Dinsmoor, CEO of the clinical enterprise. “These are well-respected leaders whose experience and insights will lead us in the right direction.”
The board will be chaired by Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., the incoming UNMC chancellor. Other members include:
Bradley Britigan, M.D., dean of the UNMC College of Medicine and president of the clinical enterprise;
Bill Dinsmoor, CEO of the clinical enterprise;
Mogens Bay, CEO and chairman of the board of Valmont Industries;
Bruce Grewcock, chairman and CEO of Peter Kiewit Sons’, Inc.;
Nancy Keegan, co-founder, Prestwick Companies; former chair of the University of Nebraska Foundation;
Jim McClurg, Ph.D., president, Technical Development Resources Company, former chairman of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents;
Charlie Burt, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon; chair of Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital;
Tim Kingston, M.D., general surgeon; longtime member of The Nebraska Medical Center and Bellevue Medical Center medical staff;
Debra Romberger, M.D., UNMC professor of internal medicine; critical care pulmonologist; and
Carl Smith, M.D., chair of UNMC department of OB/GYN; president of UNMC Physicians.
“The level of clinician leadership on this board is extremely important,” Dr. Britigan said. “We’re entering a time in health care when the voice of the provider will be more important than ever in shaping the most efficient and best quality care for our patients.”
“It is a great honor to join the team at a time that such important governance changes are being completed,” Dr. Gold said. “This structure will well serve the future needs of the region, optimizing the resources to provide university-quality, patient-centered care. Congratulations to all those with the vision to make this a reality.”
The board’s makeup represents the rich history of the different organizations that come together to create this new enterprise, Dinsmoor said.
He said the diversity of the board, which includes past members of The Nebraska Medical Center’s board of directors, leaders in academic medicine and research, private practice community physicians and international business leaders, will bring an understanding of the importance of innovation and culture in the creation of a successful organization.
“I could not be more pleased with the progress we’re making in moving to an integrated, strategic, highly competitive organization necessary for success in this new era,” said University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken. “The establishment of the new board is a critical step in the process, and we’re fortunate to have attracted an excellent group of leaders for this important role.”
“The sweeping changes in health care create an opportunity for the medical center to streamline its governance and operations to take advantage of the changing environment,” said Bruce Lauritzen, past chairman of The Nebraska Medical Center board of directors, chairman of Clarkson Regional Health Services and chairman of First National of Nebraska.
The new board will serve in an advisory role for the next several months. Leaders expect to form an official legal entity by July of this year, at which time the board will assume the role of a governing board of directors.
Along with the new advisory board, clinical enterprise leadership announced a new executive structure during a recent series of employee forums. The new structure is focused on creating an efficient, patient-focused health system with a renewed emphasis on quality.
The decision to reorganize the medical center’s clinics, hospitals and all aspects of clinical patient care into one organization was announced in late 2013. Enterprise leaders said the newly formed organization will streamline patients’ experiences and reduce the duplication of administrative services.