Last week, UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD reflected on both the challenges of the past year and what lies ahead during his Annual Faculty Meeting address titled “Gratitude and Altitude: Expressing Thanks and Achieving New Heights in Challenging Times.”
“If I have a single message to share, it is ‘thank you,’ ” he emphasized, sharing an image from the Williams Science Hall projection art recognition display.
Dr. Gold says he’s frequently asked when life will go back to its pre-pandemic normal state. “It’s pretty clear to me that the answer is never,” he said. “We are building a new normal. . . every challenge creates an opportunity. UNMC has been a great example of this rapid change.”
“We should not lose track of all the good things that have come out of the past year,” he said to the online audience of nearly 200. In part, that includes continuing a solid educational experience for students; serving as a trusted resource to local, state and federal partners; providing infectious disease and public health expertise within research, clinical and educational arenas; and building the med center’s strong culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
UNMC continues to move forward, he said. Leaders have completed the annual update and “stress tested” UNMC’s strategic planning for 2022, maintained strong efforts to make both the 30-acre Saddle Creek development project and the transformational vision of Project NExT a reality. These projects, he said, will have a significant economic impact on the region, as well as strengthen innovation and development and enhance the nation’s all-hazard clinical capacity readiness for the future.
Dr. Gold also spoke of the importance for continued IT vigilance and having a culture of cyber preparedness. He thanked the IT team for their vigilance and response to the 2020 cybersecurity challenges and opportunities.
Dr. Gold also recognized the significant toll 2020 has had on mental health. “If you see something, say something,” he said, underscoring the “second pandemic” the nation will face in the coming months and years. “The behavioral health issues are predicted to be far more enduring and profound (than the COVID-19 pandemic),” he said. “We need to better understand, prevent and when necessary, address them.”
Dr. Gold faces a transition of his own in the coming months. On July 1, he will transition as chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha to serve the University of Nebraska system as executive vice president and provost. NU President Ted Carter has named Joanne Li, PhD, dean, professor of finance and Ryder Eminent Scholar Chair in Business in the College of Business at Florida International University, as the priority candidate to serve as the next UNO chancellor. As required by state law, her candidacy is undergoing a 30-day vetting period, which began March 31. If Carter deems appropriate, he will bring Dr. Li’s appointment to the Board of Regents for consideration.
Dr. Gold will continue serving as UNMC chancellor and chair of the Nebraska Medicine Board and said his new NU role will provide opportunities to create collaborations and efficiencies that will continue to bring the entire university system together across our academic missions.