UNMC/KETV partnership provides powerful outreach

Since March 2009, more than 8.6 million viewers have received valuable information on a variety of health topics thanks to a partnership between UNMC and Omaha’s KETV NewsWatch 7.

The “Health Watch Asks, UNMC Answers” segments answer questions viewers want to know.

Timothy Durham, D.D.S.,left, professor and chairman of hospital dentistry at UNMC, answers a question for a “Health Watch Asks, UNMC Answers” segment.

“Medical information is something everyone wants and needs,” said Rose Ann Shannon, KETV NewsWatch 7 news director. “The topics are simple and straight forward and each segment provides useful information for viewers.”

Shown five days a week, the one-minute long segments use a question and answer format to highlight the work and talent of UNMC faculty.

The Association of American Medical Colleges Group on Institutional Advancement has called the project “a great example of how an academic medical center can partner with local media to benefit public health.”

Also on YouTube Aside from KETV, The “Health Watch Asks, UNMC Answers” segments can be viewed on UNMC’s YouTube channel.

So impressed the AAMC was that UNMC has won its national Award of Excellence. Staff members in UNMC’s Public Relations Department tape five weekly segments, which then air on newscasts from Friday night through Monday morning.

The segments are produced weekly, which allows UNMC’s public relations staff to feature experts’ insights into breaking health news topics.

According to Nielsen ratings, KETV NewsWatch 7 has the highest rated newscasts in the Omaha television market. UNMC’s goal is to expand the segments to television and radio stations across Nebraska.

“This is a great opportunity for us to share our expertise, not only with Nebraskans, but globally,” said Renee Fry, J.D., UNMC public relations director.