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UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., right, discusses highlights of the Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education with the University of Nebraska Board of Regents during a tour of the new facility on Friday. Also pictured, from left are Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs at UNMC; Regent Bob Phares; Donal Burns, NU associate executive vice president and provost and corporation secretary; Regent Charles Wilson, M.D.; and Regent Chuck Hassebrook. |
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Jay Moore, M.D., center, senior associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Medicine, discusses the Sorrell Center’s advanced educational features with members of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Also pictured are, from left — Regent Charles Wilson, M.D.; Richard Hoffmann, NU Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Research; and NU President James B. Milliken. |
Seven of the eight regents, all four student regents and University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken donned hard hats to get a sneak peak at the new education center, which will house the UNMC College of Medicine.
Ground had just broke on the Sorrell Center when the regents last visited UNMC as a group in 2006.
“It’s spectacular. It will be a state-of-the-art learning environment,” said Regent Charles Wilson, M.D., before he jokingly added, “especially compared to the learning environment I experienced in medical school.”
Dr. Wilson, who is a former UNMC clinical professor, received his M.D. from Northwestern University in 1964.
Regent Chuck Hassebrook agreed with Dr. Wilson that the Sorrell Center will provide a good learning environment, noting that a big part of creating a strong learning environment is giving professors all they need to be good teachers.
“The Sorrell Center will be very good for teaching our medical students,” Hassebrook said, “and that’s one of the most important things the university does to advance health care in Nebraska.”
UNMC Student Senate President Curtis McKnight, who also serves as the medical center’s student regent, said he was glad the board members got a chance to see the building that’s created a buzz among medical students.
“The excitement about the Sorrell Center opening is palpable among UNMC students,” McKnight said. “Today the regents were able to see what’s causing that excitement.”
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The presentations covered topics ranging from research in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases to the experience of medical students who make rural rotations.
The regents make biennial visits to each of the University of Nebraska’s four campuses to learn the latest accomplishments in research, academic and outreach.
“I really enjoyed hosting the regents and giving them a first-hand look at some of the facilities and programs that they’ve been hearing and reading about,” said Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. “This visit was particularly enjoyable because the campus really has changed quite a bit since they last were able to visit as a group.”