The UNMC College of Public Health has launched “The Omaha Checkup,” a new collaborative film series presented in partnership with Film Streams and with the generous support of Katie Weitz, PhD.
Designed to bring together public health professionals, students, advocates and community members, the series uses film as a catalyst for meaningful discussion around the forces that shape public health locally, nationally and globally.
“The Omaha Checkup” will take place on the first Monday of every month throughout 2026 at 6:30 p.m. CT. Each event features a curated film followed by a conversation that connects storytelling to real-world challenges, offering a space for shared learning and dialogue.
Upcoming screening: “Aftershock”
- Date: Monday, Feb. 2
- Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Ruth Sokolof Theater, 1340 Mike Fahey St. in Omaha
- Register: Online through the Film Streams website
The series continues in February with a screening of “Aftershock” (2022). This documentary examines the U.S. maternal health crisis through the stories of women who died from childbirth-related complications and the families who became activists in the wake of their loss. The film highlights systemic inequities and preventable outcomes within maternal care, setting the stage for a discussion on health equity.
January recap: “Attention Must be Paid”
The inaugural screening in January featured “Attention Must Be Paid: Women Lost in the Opioid Crisis,” a documentary directed and produced by Debra Gonsher Vinik, PhD. The film follows the stories of women who have experienced opioid addiction, highlighting both the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic and the strength and resilience of those working toward recovery. Through deeply personal narratives, the documentary underscores how present and persistent the opioid crisis remains across the nation.
Dr. Gonsher Vinik attended the screening and offered introductory remarks, sharing insight into the creation of the film and the importance of centering women’s voices in conversations about addiction, recovery, and public health. She was joined by Dean Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH, who emphasized the film’s relevance to public health practice, and Paul Weisphal, director of the Nebraska Harm Reduction Program at the UNMC College of Public Health.
Following the screening, audience members were invited to engage in a panel discussion with Dr. Gonsher Vinik; a woman featured in the film; Alëna Balasanova, MD, a UNMC board-certified expert in psychiatry and addiction medicine; and a community partner from HEAL Omaha.
The panel provided an opportunity for attendees to ask questions, hear firsthand perspectives on recovery and systems of support, and learn about ways individuals and communities can assist in addressing the opioid crisis.
“The College of Public Health is thankful for the strong turnout from community members, individuals in recovery and local professionals,” Dr. Khan said. “We also extend our gratitude to Dr. Katie Weitz for her hosting and support, which made the evening possible.”
Learn more about “The Omaha Checkup” and to get active in community public health efforts by visiting the UNMC College of Public Health website.