A visit to Capitol Hill by two house officers in UNMC’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology in April led to U.S. Rep. Don Bacon touring some of the department’s labs on June 1.
Dr. Marika Forsythe, a molecular genetic pathology fellow, and Dr. Holly Mitzel, a second-year pathology resident, were in Washington April 25-28 for the CAP Pathologists Leadership Summit. The annual event, focusing on leadership, advocacy, and professional development for pathologists, culminates with “Hill Day,” where the pathologists visit the offices of their representatives and senators to advocate for policies relevant to pathology and laboratory medicine. On Hill Day, Drs. Forsythe and Mitzel were joined by Dr. Sara Rutter, a pathologist at Methodist Hospital in Omaha.
Dr. Mitzel said she wrapped up each visit by inviting the three lawmakers—Rep. Bacon and Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts—to tour the department’s labs at UNMC. Bacon’s office reached out to her later expressing interest in coming for a visit.
Escorting the congressman on June 1 were Dr. Joseph Khoury, the department chair, three faculty members who head labs—Drs. Jesse Cox, Allison Cushman-Vokoun, Scott Koepsell—and Drs. Forsythe and Mitzel. The tour included the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory and Nebraska Public Service Laboratory, the core lab, molecular diagnostic lab and the Human DNA Identification Lab.
The congressman said: “I want to extend my sincere thanks to the leadership, faculty, and staff at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) for the incredible tour of the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology.
UNMC is doing amazing work on multiple fronts. Not only are they making groundbreaking strides to beat cancer and pioneer organ transplants, but they are also working alongside Douglas County and Omaha Police to help solve cold cases and bring closure to families. Nebraska is incredibly proud to be home to this powerhouse of research and healthcare excellence, and I look forward to supporting their continued success.”