The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Tuesday approved a resolution establishing a new governance structure for Nebraska Medicine that adds the Omaha Community Foundation as a shared governing member alongside the University of Nebraska System.
The resolution, unanimously passed during a special board meeting, authorizes Chair of the Board of Regents Paul Kenney to complete the documents required to add the Omaha Community Foundation as a governing member of Nebraska Medicine. It also expresses gratitude to the university’s philanthropic community partners, as well as NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, and University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, for their efforts in paving the way for the new structure.
Following the withdrawal of the Clarkson Regional Health Services’ interest in Nebraska Medicine earlier this summer, the NU Board of Regents and the Omaha Community Foundation leadership spent two months developing a long-term governance structure for Nebraska Medicine. This decision builds upon decades of partnership between the University of Nebraska and the philanthropic community, while ensuring community needs and perspectives, as well as the university’s academic mission, remain closely connected to the health system’s future.
Dr. Davies expressed gratitude to Dr. Gold, the Board of Regents, the Omaha Community Foundation and its President and CEO Donna Kush and interim Nebraska Medicine board member Bruce Grewcock for their collaborative efforts. He said he was looking forward to a strong partnership.
“I’m pleased at the decision, and I am excited about working with the Omaha Community Foundation,” Dr. Davies said. “We are entering uncharted waters in academia and healthcare, and having a philanthropic community that can walk alongside us on our journey will be invaluable. Together, the University, Nebraska Medicine and the Omaha Community Foundation are taking an exciting step toward making a healthier future for all Nebraskans.”
Michael Ash, MD, CEO of Nebraska Medicine, applauded the move in a message sent to Nebraska Medicine colleagues after the vote.
“Our partnership with UNMC remains stronger than ever and central to who we are as an academic health system,” he said. “This new governance structure strengthens that relationship and creates additional opportunities to invest in our people, advance innovation, expand access to extraordinary care and support our teaching, research and clinical missions.
Several state leaders spoke in favor of the new governance structure during Tuesday’s meeting.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen highlighted the people of Nebraska during his remarks, including the philanthropists who have been instrumental in shaping the state.
“I think that what’s really, really important as we make decisions is that we have an extraordinary appreciation for the people,” he said. “And what has had an incredible impact is the philanthropy of the people of Nebraska.”
Sen. John Arch, speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, called shared membership and governance a sensible solution in the rapidly changing area of healthcare.
“One of the challenges of your decision today is that none of us know the future of healthcare,” said Arch, a former healthcare administrator. “I can’t tell you what the future holds, but I think it is safe to say that tomorrow will not be like today. I believe you have before you today a very sensible way to engage in risk management. A partner is offering to join you in assuming part of the risk of an unknown future. This partner has the resources to support uncertainty and the commitment to the venture to do so.”
NU Athletic Director Troy Dannen said the positive benefits of adopting the new structure would extend far beyond healthcare.
“The health of intercollegiate athletics is reliant on the health of the University and of the state, just as the health of the university and state is emboldened by the health of intercollegiate athletics,” he said. “In my position as director of intercollegiate athletics, I am excited for the opportunity to have the trust and benefits of our relationships with the philanthropic community extended to the university through the partnership you consider today.”
“We are grateful to the University of Nebraska and the Board of Regents for their trust in the Omaha Community Foundation and for the collaborative approach that will allow OCF to become a dual governing member of Nebraska Medicine,” Kush said.
“We are equally grateful to Nebraska’s philanthropic community for stepping forward with a shared commitment to the success of Nebraska Medicine and for entrusting us to represent the community perspective on the board of directors. We will approach our governance role with one clear priority: doing what is in the best interest of Nebraska Medicine and the patients, health care professionals, and communities it serves.”
During the meeting, Dr. Gold reflected on his decade as the chancellor of UNMC and the board chair of Nebraska Medicine. He expressed his gratitude for those involved in making the partnership possible, and in the process supporting the University’s commitment to the future.
“We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our board during this period of transition and for the Omaha Community Foundation’s highly valued partnership,” he said. “We look forward to building on the strong relationships with our philanthropic partners that for decades have supported our university and the communities we serve.”
Kenney called the action “a significant step forward in ensuring the University of Nebraska System is able to educate the healthcare providers and serve the healthcare needs for the State of Nebraska.” He continued, “We are grateful for the opportunity to do so in partnership with our philanthropic community.”