Tommy Garrett, Nebraska state legislator for District 3 in Bellevue, toured UNMC earlier this month.
Sen. Garrett, who met with Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dele Davies, M.D., and Vice Chancellor for Research Jennifer Larsen, M.D., among other UNMC leaders during the visit, said he has long been interested in the work done at UNMC.
“This is such a huge part of Nebraska,” he said of UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. “Health care is such a big issue. In the legislature, we see a lot of things that impact the University of Nebraska and UNMC, so it’s good to get that firsthand experience.”
Sen. Garrett’s tour, led by Vice Chancellor for External Affairs Bob Bartee, included a meeting with Chris Kratochvil, M.D., associate vice chancellor for clinical research, to discuss research projects at the university.
Sen. Garrett also saw a demonstration of the NTrainer, a new technology being used at Nebraska Medicine to help infants who have not developed the sucking instinct. Munroe-Meyer Institute speech therapist Jessie Plude demonstrated the device for Sen. Garrett.
“The technology that they’re looking at for training and teaching purposes is just phenomenal,” Sen. Garrett said after the demonstration. “It’s a great opportunity to improve the learning environment. I’m very impressed.”
Sen. Garrett said he was aware of UNMC’s importance to the state.
“I am a strong proponent of what it is we’re doing here, and I want UNMC to be the best in the nation in the things that we do,” he said.