More than three dozen people, including leaders from the Hispanic community, joined leaders from UNMC for a community conversation on Feb. 12 in South Omaha.
The luncheon was co-hosted by Emiliano Lerda, JD, chair of the UNMC Board of Counselors and co-founder of co-warehousing and community space Elevator, and Albert Varas, also a member of the UNMC Board of Counselors and CEO of the Latino Center of the Midlands. The discussion featured updates from UNMC leaders including:
- Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD;
- Nicole Carritt, assistant vice chancellor for health workforce education relations;
- Marley Doyle, MD, director of the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska and associate professor in the department of psychiatry; and
- Armando De Alba, MD, associate professor in the department of family medicine and assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion in the UNMC College of Medicine.
“We deeply appreciate Chancellor Gold’s dedication to maintaining open lines of communication with the South Omaha, Hispanic and broader immigrant communities, including Spanish speakers,” Varas said. “His commitment is vital in fostering an inclusive dialogue that respects and values the diverse voices of our community.”
Varas said community events like the luncheon offer the opportunity to bridge communication between UNMC and influential figures from South Omaha and promote awareness of programs and other efforts at UNMC that impact the community.
The discussion included an update on UNMC’s educational pathway programs, such as the UNMC High School Alliance and Urban Health Opportunities Program, that are aimed at encouraging and supporting students from underserved communities pursue careers in the health sciences.
“There is no shortage of the demand for access to quality health care across the state,” Dr. Gold said.
“We recognize that what is good for this community is what is good for UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, so we will continue to strive to do all we can to meet and exceed the needs expressed here today,” he said.
“It is very important for the consulate to participate in this type of meeting because of the Ventanilla de Salud (VDS) Health Window we offer in our facilities,” said Jorge Ernesto Espejel Montes, Consul Titular for the Consulado de Mexico en Omaha.
“The VDS strategy seeks to facilitate Mexican immigrants’ access to primary and preventive health services, as well as promote a culture of prevention among Mexicans and their families in the United States.
“This is done through quality information, education, advice and referrals in a safe and friendly environment, through local and binational collaborations to improve their quality of life,” Espejel Montes said.