A group of high-ranking Chinese business leaders, in Omaha for the annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting, toured the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and met with UNMC and state leaders during their visit. The event was organized by the Office of International Relations & Patient Referrals at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts met with the group. Other UNMC leaders, including Bob Bartee, vice chancellor of external affairs, Deb Thomas, vice chancellor of business and finance, Bradley Britigan, M.D., dean of the UNMC College of Medicine, Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Sarah Thayer, M.D., Ph.D., associate director for clinical affairs and physician-in-chief, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Julie Vose, M.D., professor and chief of the UNMC Division of Hematology and Oncology, D.J. Thayer, director of international and domestic business affairs for UNeMed, UNMC’s technology transfer partner, met with the group as well.
UNMC representatives, including Dr. Cowan, led the visitors on tours of the cancer center.
The American Chamber of Commerce in China sent about 25 representatives to a May 4 presentation by UNMC leaders. Kai Fu, M.D., director of the UNMC Office of International Relations & Patient Referrals and professor in the UNMC Department of Pathology and Microbiology, described the group as business leaders interested in a variety of possible U.S. investments, but also interested in the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and UNMC’s telemedicine, medical consulting and international referral capabilities.
Gov. Ricketts and Dr. Gold, along with other state leaders, then hosted the group at the Omaha Press Club for dinner.
“This was a great opportunity for us to showcase the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center to some key people in China,” Dr. Fu said.
Dr. Fu introduced the visitors to UNMC’s patient referral services and concierge medicine services that would be available to Chinese patients.
“We want them to return to China and let others know what an outstanding facility it is and how it will be providing the best possible cancer care to people from all over the world.”
On May 6, a similar presentation was held for a larger group of almost 100 Chinese visitors, again with an appearance by the governor and tours of the medical center from UNMC leaders.
“The governor called the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center one of the best cancer centers in the nation,” Dr. Fu said.
He added that the visitors from China seemed to be very impressed with UNMC.
One of the senior leaders of the group said during a dinner meeting, “I learned one thing besides Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway on this trip. That is, if ever I had a cancer, there is a great cancer center here in Omaha which I can rely on!”