Advancing the mission: Team creates awareness, builds support







































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Bill O’Neill


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Jessica Brummer


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Jillian Carson


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Jessi Long


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Lisa Metzger Grotrian


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Kacie Gerard

They plan special events.

They design advertisements and brochures.

They lead UNMC’s branding initiative.

They organize Mini-Medical School and Science Cafes.

And, they manage the Truhlsen Campus Events Center.

“They” are the members of the public relations advancement team, and through their work, they generate support for UNMC’s academic, research and public service missions.

“The advancement team creates awareness and builds support for UNMC through many different avenues,” said Bill O’Neill, senior associate director for advancement. “Our end goal is to create greater affinity for UNMC in current and potential constituents, which leads to more support and ultimately a stronger academic health sciences center.”

The advancement team works in three major areas: community relations, events and image/brand management. In addition to O’Neill, the advancement team includes:

  • Jessica Brummer, special events manager;
  • Jillian Carson, marketing specialist II;
  • Jessi Long, graphic designer;
  • Lisa Metzger Grotrian, campus events center coordinator; and
  • Kacie Gerard, special events associate.

“The hard work of these talented individuals is helping to make UNMC a world-class academic health sciences center,” O’Neill said. “They stepped to the plate this past year with numerous building dedications and groundbreakings, as well as the beginning and middle stages of the branding initiative.

“The team also has been engaged with policy development and overall management of the campus events center, which is a terrific location for campus functions. We look forward to more opportunities over the coming year.”

For more information, click on one of these three sites:

Community Relations (Mini-Medical School, Science Cafes, Speakers Bureau, Adopt-A-School, United Way Campaign)

Events (Recent groundbreakings/dedications, Truhlsen Events Center)

Image/Brand Management (Branding Initiative, Identity Standards, Advertising)

See more about the public relations department at the UNMC news portal.