John Lowe, PhD, who holds many health security and public health roles at UNMC, said the medical center's interprofessional response during the pandemic may sound like the opening to a joke: a doctor, a nurse and an infectious disease scientist walk into a nursing home . . .
But their work had a serious impact, Dr. Lowe said.
Dr. Lowe touched on UNMC's response to the COVID-19 pandemic during his keynote address at the Graduate Studies Honors Convocation May 7 at the Omaha Conservatory of Music.
Twenty-two master of science graduates and 27 doctoral graduates were honored. Rachel Spooner, PhD, was presented the Thomas Jefferson Ingenuity Award. Pranita Atri, PhD, was honored with the Praesto Award.
See a photo album from convocation
Dr. Lowe addressed the room as "an incredibly special group of graduates that holds a special place in the history of UNMC," for having persevered in its pursuit of education, research and other work through the pandemic.
Dr. Lowe passed on advice he'd received from his own mentor, Philip Smith, MD, saying he and his teammates adapted Dr. Smith's advice throughout the pandemic.
Foremost, be flexible and prepare for the unexpected.
Dr. Lowe told of the UNMC team using its expertise, but in a new venue, meatpacking plants.
He said the team encountered the unexpected each time it made a site visit to nursing homes throughout Nebraska, which were perhaps the hardest hit environments during the pandemic.
"It's more of a mindset on how you navigate the unexpected when it happens than having a plan," Dr. Lowe said.
He also advised graduates to acknowledge what they don't know, and to share knowledge with the public in a way that can be understood and trusted.