Legislative candidate Mike McDonnell, who is campaigning for a seat in Legislative District 5, toured UNMC and Nebraska Medicine on Monday.
McDonnell met with campus leaders, including UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.; Jennifer Larsen, M.D., vice chancellor for research; Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs; Ali S. Khan, M.D., M.P.H., dean of the College of Public Health, and others.
He also attended a presentation on the VERT (Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training system), where he quizzed Jana Koth, assistant professor, radiation therapy technology, on the clinical as well as educational uses for the cutting-edge technology.
The candidate, a 24-year veteran of the Omaha Fire Department, including six years as chief, said that although his career in emergency services in Omaha had made him familiar with the medical center, he felt it was important to visit one of the biggest employers in the state.
“The reason I’m running for office is I believe good neighborhoods build good cities and good cities build good states,” he said. “And what do you need for good neighborhoods? Good public safety, good public education, good paying jobs and good health care.
“With the partnerships that have been developed with the med center and a number of people in the community, I want to see, as a state senator, what we can do in the Capitol to help promote that. That’s going to help citizens in Legislative District 5 and throughout the whole state of Nebraska.”
McDonnell said he was looking for expert help on how the state, as well as public-private partnerships, can help strengthen the med center — and through the med center, the health of the state as a whole.
“I understand the importance of the medical center and what it’s done for this community,” he said. “As a state senator, if I’m elected, I’ll make sure I’m here to help any way I can.”