Ruth Scott loves knock-knock jokes.
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“Knock, knock,” she said.
“Who’s there?” the crowd responded.
“Anita.”
“Anita who?”
“Anita good nurse, preferably one from UNMC!”
Thanks to Scott and her husband, Bill, the lead donors for the new center, and other benefactors, many more Nebraskans will get good nurses from UNMC.
The new facility gives UNMC a strong weapon to combat the nursing shortage it currently faces, said Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D.
“We are overwhelmed by the tremendous generosity of Ruth and Bill Scott for this world-class facility that will raise the bar in our commitment to reducing the nursing shortage,” Dr. Maurer said.
Dreams come true two at time
While the Scotts and other benefactors were honored for their gifts to UNMC on Wednesday, the medical center had a gift of its own for Ruth Scott.
College of Nursing Dean Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc., presented Scott with a white coat and the title of honorary nurse in recognition of the Omaha philanthropist’s lifelong dream of being a nurse.
“Where’s my cap?” Scott said as she put on her new white coat. “I always wanted to walk around in those starched dresses and white shoes, just like my cousins did.”
The opening of the Center for Nursing Science at UNMC on Wednesday proved to be the realization of a dream for her family, she said, noting that the couple hopes the new center will inspire students and faculty to be the best nurses they can be.