Joni Craighead, a candidate for Nebraska Legislative District 6, visited UNMC on Monday, Oct. 20.
Craighead, who earned a bachelor of science degree in medical technology from UNMC before getting an MPA from the University of Kansas, heard presentations on stem cell research, the state and federal health policy, and the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center before meeting with UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.
She also toured the clinical simulation center, which she described as “amazing.”
Craighead, who is running in a district that includes portions of Douglas County, said knowledge of the state’s health care landscape is important for legislators.
“I know that if I’m elected to the Nebraska legislature that there will be a number of issues that will revolve around the medical center, and the more information I can have, and the more experts I can meet, the better we’ll all be,” she said.
She was impressed with UNMC’s research programs, as well.
“My daughter, Staci, is a chemistry major at UNK, and wants to earn a Ph.D. and do biodefense research for the military,” she said. “UNMC has incredible research occurring in this area.”
In addition to Dr. Gold, Craighead met with James Turpen, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for academic affairs; Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs; Mark Bowen, director of government relations; Juliann Sebastian, Ph.D., dean of the College of Nursing, Rowan Zetterman, M.D., director of the faculty mentorship program, academic affairs; Patti Carstens, manager of the simulation center, and Kenneth Hansen, associate vice chancellor and director, campus facilities.
Craighead has personal experience with UNMC, as well: Her late husband, Mike Craighead, was treated at the med center for cholangiocarcinoma, which Craighead said was due to Agent Orange exposure when he served in Vietnam.
“I think the University of Nebraska Medical Center is an incredible institution, and we obviously now are on the national map with Ebola and our Ebola patients,” Craighead said.
Craighead pointed to her professional and life experiences — from medical to retail business owner to published author to realtor and developer — as an example of her ability to work for Nebraskans in the legislature.