For their significant contributions to local and statewide communities,
Omahas two academic medical centers have been awarded the prestigious
Outstanding Community Service Award for 2003 from the Association of American
Medical Colleges (AAMC). Creighton University Medical Center and
the University of Nebraska Medical Center were recognized by the AAMC for
their outstanding efforts in meeting the medical needs of people not served
by traditional health-care systems.
The schools were chosen among 125 medical schools in the nation, and
this is the first time two medical schools have shared the award. The award
was presented Nov. 8 at the AAMC gala in Washington, D.C.
Nebraska residents are fortunate to have two service-oriented academic
medical centers in their communities, said AAMC President Jordan J. Cohen,
M.D. Creighton University School of Medicine and University of Nebraska
Medical Center supply essential health services to the medically underserved,
while providing students with the clinical training and experience necessary
to become competent, compassionate physicians.
We are pleased to receive national recognition for our community service
efforts by the Association of American Medical Colleges, and we are honored
to be the first Jesuit institution to receive the award, said the Rev.
John P. Schlegel, S.J., Creighton president. Creightons School of Medicine
has been reaching out to provide health care to underserved communities
since it was founded 111 years ago. This award reflects the expert and
compassionate care given by Creighton health-care providers to those who
have limited access to medical care. Through this award, we want to recognize
and publicly thank our valued community partners with whom we collaborate
to deliver a wide array of medical outreach programs.
Cam Enarson, M.D., Creightons vice president for Health Sciences and
dean of the School of Medicine, said, Creighton health-care providers
are dedicated to serving those in need and encouraging disadvantaged youth
to consider health professions. In addition, 100 percent of Creighton medical
students volunteer for community service initiatives during their four
years of medical education. Last year, Creighton served more than 460,000
patients who otherwise may not have received care.
Its especially gratifying to be recognized by your peers, said Harold
M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC chancellor. The award is a testament to our strong
commitment to reaching out to people in need. UNMC faculty, students and
staff are among the very best and are dedicated to improving the health
of Nebraskans. The award also symbolizes the dedication of our many community
partners across Nebraska, who also deserve to share in this recognition.
“We’re delighted to share this award with our friends and colleagues
at Creighton,” said Rubens Pamies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs.
“Nebraska has a long history of volunteerism. It’s that same spirit of
volunteerism that permeates throughout the state and extends to the students
and faculty at UNMC. It’s a mindset that we ought to do something for our
neighbor — a feeling that we’re responsible for each other’s well being.”
Creighton and UNMC foster individual programs, and they also have collaborated
on a number of fronts. For example, UNMC and Creighton, in collaboration
with the State of Nebraska, have worked together to develop a comprehensive
bioterrorism preparedness plan for Nebraska. The plan is considered a model
for other states.
When the poison center at another hospital announced it was planning
to outsource its calls to a large regional call center, a partnership involving
Creighton, UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center and the State of Nebraska
stepped in with funding and personnel to make sure Nebraska would maintain
this fundamental community resource.