The University of Nebraska Board of Regents unanimously approved amended and restated bylaws and articles of incorporation for Nebraska Medicine during a special meeting on Monday.
The actions provide for a temporary governance structure – effective July 1 through Sept. 30 – while the regents work with the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF) to finalize articles and bylaws that would recognize OCF as a governing member of Nebraska Medicine.
During the next three months, the university and OCF will have equal numbers of voting representatives on Nebraska Medicine’s Board of Directors.
“We are very grateful to the leadership and board of the Omaha Community Foundation for their continued willingness to partner with us to advance the healthcare of all Nebraskans,” said University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD. “We look forward to aligning our organizations to benefit our state’s premier academic medical center, and in so doing, improving lives in communities statewide.”
Donna Kush, president and CEO of OCF, concurred.
“For more than 40 years, we’ve built relationships and trusted partnerships across every corner of our community, making us uniquely positioned to step into this role,” Kush said. “Connecting people, resources and expertise to meet real needs is what the Omaha Community Foundation does best. We’re looking forward to working with university leadership, the Board of Regents and other partners, while bringing our unique perspectives in philanthropy, local insight and community leadership to this work.”
On Monday, several regents noted the history of public-private partnerships in elevating many areas within the university. Nebraska Medicine, they said, is a prime example.
“Transformational philanthropy has benefited the University of Nebraska throughout its history,” Regent Barbara Weitz of Omaha said. “Pursuing this partnership with the Omaha Community Foundation will advance Nebraska Medicine’s mission to improve the health of Nebraskans, while creating lasting value for future generations of patients, students, faculty and the communities we serve.”
Regents Chairman Paul Kenney of Amherst said that the regents “are grateful to the visionary donors who share our commitment to excellence.
“Today’s actions reaffirm our commitment to working with the Omaha Community Foundation and other partners to accelerate the momentum of Nebraska Medicine in serving the healthcare needs of the state of Nebraska,” Kenney said.
Since 1997, the University of Nebraska and Clarkson Regional Health Services have been governing members of what is now Nebraska Medicine. In July 2024, Clarkson announced its intent to withdraw membership from Nebraska Medicine as it shifted away from healthcare management. After Clarkson announced plans to step away from Nebraska Medicine, numerous philanthropic organizations reached out to the Board of Regents to express their interest in partnering to ensure that Nebraska Medicine continues to grow and remains a world leader in academic healthcare.