The new Office for the Advancement of Military Medicine will leverage UNMC’s existing partnerships while continuing to transform the work being done on campus, UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, said during his all-campus forum on June 8.
To talk about the newly created office, Dr. Davies was joined by Col. Lee Williames, MD (USAF, Ret.), inaugural director of the Office for the Advancement of Military Medicine and associate professor at the Munroe-Meyer Institute; and Chris Kratochvil, MD, vice president for external relations for the NU System and vice chancellor for external relations at UNMC.
The office will facilitate UNMC’s military medicine, biodefense and civilian-military health integration programming while working to develop new initiatives in the space.
The medical center community can view the forum here.
“I have a particular interest in how we prepare for large-scale conflicts and how we address strategic health threats,” Dr. Williames said. “UNMC has been a leader in preparing for what I call ‘our worst possible day’ for decades.”
Also joining Dr. Davies in conversation was Sarosh Rana, MD, professor and chair of the UNMC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Rana discussed her work to improve health across the state, particularly maternal mortality and morbidity. She discussed the EMBRACE (Excellence in Maternal Birth Outcomes through Rigorous Assessment and Community Engagement) program.
“We want to provide high levels of maternal fetal medicine across the state,” Dr. Rana said. “Our intention is to help our patients where they are.”
Dr. Rana also discussed a $4.6 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to advance the development of a potentially groundbreaking treatment for preeclampsia, a life-threatening pregnancy disorder that affects millions of women worldwide.
Dr. Davies also:
- Celebrated the opening of the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex in Kearney. The largest rural healthcare teaching facility in the country offers 13 different health profession degree programs.
- Announced a 3% salary pool for merit-based raises.
- Encouraged the UNMC community to review and provide input on the strategic plan.
- Provided an update on his 30-day public vetting period as priority candidate for the permanent role of UNMC chancellor. He visited six cities across the state, attending more than 30 meetings and forums.
- Commended teams working in the National Quarantine Unit to care for guests exposed to hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship. Teamwork and commitment are on display not only between UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, but also with state and federal partners, Dr. Davies said.
- Announced an event to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, as well as the opening of a McGoogan Health Sciences Library exhibit that examines topics related to health, illness and healthcare during the colonial period, Revolutionary War and American republic.
- Welcomed INBRE scholars and SHPEP and SURP students to campus for the summer.
- Provided legislative updates, including discussion of changes to the federal grant process from the Office of Management and Budget.
- Announced a July 17 ribbon-cutting ceremony for UNMC Residencies. The space, owned by UNMC, will be professionally managed by Burlington Capital Properties. Leasing opportunities remain available for UNMC students.
- Provided an update on joint accreditation between UNMC and UNL. Dr. Davies estimated joint accreditation taking place June 15. He added that each campus will maintain its own mission, campus and academic offerings.