State Sen. Bob Krist, who represents Nebraska’s 10th Legislative District, visited UNMC last week — and also visited Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward, Neb., more than 120 miles west of UNMC’s Omaha campus.
The senator met with Kenneth Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, for an update on the center, and spoke with UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., and Vice Chancellor for External Affairs Bob Bartee.
He also participated in a telehealth demonstration with Thomas Magnuson, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry, and Mandi Constantine, Ph.D., executive director of telehealth for Nebraska Medicine. The group spoke with a staff member at Cloverlodge Care Center in St. Edward, who told the senator how UNMC’s telehealth capabilities had eased obstacles for patients at her center.
Sen. Krist said updates such as Thursday’s help make him a more effective advocate for the health concerns of his constituents.
“It’s been a habit of mine to make sure I’m aware of what UNMC needs to operate effectively, and to communicate what I think I see from the community,” he said. “Sometimes, sitting down and talking together, I find we’re all on the same sheet of music and we should be moving forward.”
Sen. Krist also said his first meeting with Dr. Gold left him very impressed with UNMC’s new leader.
“You’re very lucky to have him here,” he said.
Dr. Magnuson is a pioneer and staunch advocate of Telehealth at UNMC! You Rock!