Mural’s message: We stand together

Charlie King, a second-year student in UNMC’s master of genetic counseling program, frequently runs on Omaha’s Keystone Trail.

It hit him one day, as he approached the location of the new Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) building, near the University of Nebraska at Omaha Scott Campus, along the trail: “It’s just a great location to put up a cool piece of art.”

Students in UNMC’s new master’s of genetic counseling program paint a mural beneath a pedestrian bridge on the Keystone Trail north of Pine Street, near the new home of the Munroe-Meyer Institute, on Sept. 13.

And so he and 15 of his fellow students in the genetic counseling program did just that.

The location is especially meaningful because the genetic counseling program is housed within the College of Allied Health Professions and is built on an innovative partnership with MMI and a number of community partners.

Over two days and about $260 worth of paint and other supplies, the genetic counseling students put up a mural on an underpass. Its bright yellow background features a DNA strand that spells out the message “WE STAND TOGETHER.”

“We wanted to come up with something that represents UNMC and shares a positive message,” King said. He said he and his fellow students also hope to spread the word about genetic counseling.

“It’s a profession that can kind of lay in the weeds until you stumble across it,” he said.

Genetic counseling is a profession combining medical genetics and counseling that supports individuals and families seeking information about how inherited diseases may impact their health.

The mural’s message itself is more than merely a feel-good generality. It’s also a response.

“We were looking for a way to make a positive impact in the community,” King said. “With all of the social inequalities that are coming to light this year. With the death of George Floyd and all the other systemic racism and things coming to light.

“We stand with people from all races. We’re all in this together.”

The genetic counseling students contacted the parks department and the city’s Public Art Commission in order to get permission. MMI genetics helped with a fundraiser for supplies.

Sierra Clark and Emily Toering came up with the design. None of the students have an arts background to his knowledge, King said, but, “We all have a call to serve, both on an individual basis, and on a broader scale,” he said.

Genetic counselors work with patients to offer guidance in genetic testing as well as interpretation of results. These providers also provide psychosocial support to patients who are navigating the complexities of genomic medicine and decision making.