The Dr. Edwin Davis & Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center for Advanced Interprofessional Learning, which held a ceremonial groundbreaking yesterday, came to be because Dr. Davis was the iEXCEL pioneer of his day. And because Dorothy, his wife, possessed a good-natured, optimistic tenacity.
Dr. Davis, who served as chair of the urology department at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine from 1920 to 1953, fondly nicknamed her “Do it now Dorothy.”
UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., was delighted to hear the anecdote.”I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “Do it now. Do it today.”
See a photo album from Monday's groundbreaking.
Yesterday, they did, moving symbolic shovels of earth. The 191,884-square foot, $118.9 million facility already is under construction, but yesterday it was named and celebrated in front of about 300 donors, dignitaries and well-wishers.
The Davis Global Center will house UNMC’s iEXCEL experiential-learning initiative and the National Center for Health Security and Biopreparedness, which will enable UNMC to teach federal health care personnel procedures in treating highly infectious diseases.
“This is a day for thanks and congratulations,” Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert said.
“The University of Nebraska is on a remarkable upward trajectory today,” NU Regent Robert Whitehouse said.
“I tell people this is the most important project for the University of Nebraska in this century,” former interim university president James Linder, M.D., said.
“Thank you, on behalf of our clinicians, and on behalf of our patients, and our future patients,” said Michael Ash, M.D., chief transformation officer.
iEXCEL’s immersive, experiential learning and the med center’s world-leading expertise in biopreparedness will set the state apart, speakers said. “Let the world know that Nebraska is the place that does things differently,” Gov. Pete Ricketts said.
“There seems to be nothing on your horizon that you won’t be able to do,” said Don Boyce, deputy assistant secretary in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
The facility will be the result of yet another incredible public-private partnership. But it bears the Davis name because Dr. Davis was doing immersive learning in the 1920s and & 30s. “Before we even called it technology, he was creating it,” said Pam Swisher, executive director of the Dorothy B. Davis Foundation.
And because Dorothy wouldn’t take no for an answer, and insisted, despite Edwin’s rolling eyes, that they invest in an “impressive young man” named Warren Buffett.
Do it now, he relented. And so, this day. “UNMC has had many, many pivotal moments,” Swisher said. “And the family is proud to be a part of this one.”