University and Munroe-Meyer Institute leaders welcomed U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer for a tour of the facility on July 25.
The tour, led by Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD, dean and director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute, provided a look at services, training and research done at the institute.
While familiar with MMI and its mission, Sen. Fischer said the facility has a great reputation so when an invitation to visit was presented, she took advantage.
“It’s a showcase,” Sen. Fischer said.
The tour, which spanned the first and second floors of the institute, showed off the gym and pool, both of which were teeming with campers from Camp Munroe.
Other stops included the physical therapy space, independent living apartment and virtual reality lab. Sen. Fischer also saw participants in the institute’s Nebraska EmployABILITY Project hard at work.
The tour also included the Caring for Champions space and the integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The dedication of staff was on full display, Sen. Fischer said.
“I’m impressed with the people here, the innovation and the quality of work,” Sen. Fischer said. “It’s impressive what the facility and staff have been able to do for their clients.”
Hosting Sen. Fischer highlights the need to work together with legislators, Dr. Mirnics said.
“We educate our legislators about what we do and we’re always soliciting feedback on how we can better serve the community,” he said. “It’s great to see the legislative body engage with us and our work. We’re not two parallel tracks. We have one integrated mission.”
H. Dele Davies, MD, interim chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, also attended the visit. Dr. Davies stressed the importance of partnering with our federal delegation.
“MMI is an important resource to the state of Nebraska,” Dr. Davies said. “Our federal delegation is key to supporting our continued work.”
Drs. Mirnics and Davies and Sen. Fischer were joined by a handful of other MMI leaders, including: Melonie Welsh, associate dean and director of MMI’s Community Engagement Department; Regina Carroll, PhD, associate dean and director of MMI’s Clinical Services; Kerry Miller, PhD, associate dean and director of MMI’s Academic Affairs; Alice Shillingsburg, PhD, director of iCASD; and Mark Shriver, PhD, director of the MMI University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.