“Thank you for caring.”
That was the message Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD, dean and director of the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute, delivered at the grand opening of the Fremont Autism Care for Toddlers Clinic on July 2.
“You are essential for this endeavor,” he said. “Local leaders, community members, UNMC leadership, funders, friends, staff and families, you are all VIPs for us; thank you for everything that you do.”
Also taking the podium to thank guests was Robbie Mau of Fremont, whose son, Alex, has received services from MMI, including the ACT Clinic in Omaha when Alex was a toddler.
“We’re one of the families that did drive from Fremont to Omaha every single day for 10 years,” Mau said. “But one day, when I picked him up, Alex ran up to me, and he laughed, and he said, ‘Dada.’ And you guys know how significant that is.
“We owe so much to Munroe-Meyer, and all the amazing people that we’ve met along the way,” he said.
The Fremont clinic, which has been providing services since 2024, is the third ACT Clinic opened by UNMC and the Munroe-Meyer Institute, and the first outside of the Omaha metro area. During his remarks, Dr. Mirnics discussed his “10 in 10” vision — that UNMC and MMI will open 10 Autism Care for Toddler Clinics throughout Nebraska in the next 10 years.
University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, called the new clinic great for the community and Nebraska’s children.
“Our children are our future — All of our children! — We have to invest,” Dr. Gold said. “We have to be sure that we do it in a way that’s reliable, high quality and with the right professionals in the right places.”
UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, spoke of how the clinic reflected UNMC’s mission.
“We have a mission to lead the world and transform lives for all individuals — I want to stress all individuals and communities,” Dr. Davies said. “It’s a very clear word. We may have a headquarters in Omaha, but Nebraska is our campus.
“Our vision is that Nebraska will be the best state to raise a child, regardless of their health care needs,” Dr. Davies said. “MMI’s focus on children — and adults — with intellectual and developmental disabilities is unmatched in the nation, especially with its early intervention programs.”
Ciara Warden, director of the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska-East, was on hand for the opening, as BHECN is an important supporter of the ACT Clinic in Fremont.
“We’re so happy to be supporters of this great initiative, and the clinic is fantastic,” Warden said.