{"id":121022,"date":"2025-04-03T01:58:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T06:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=121022"},"modified":"2025-04-02T10:38:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T15:38:28","slug":"dr-davies-forum-provides-updates-from-across-unmc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/04\/03\/dr-davies-forum-provides-updates-from-across-unmc\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Davies’ forum provides updates from across UNMC"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In a forum held at the UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division, UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, spoke to the UNMC community on topics ranging from university-related issues at the Nebraska Legislature to the university\u2019s budget to the upcoming Nebraska Science Festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davies and other UNMC leaders were in Norfolk, Nebraska, and traveled later to Columbus, to speak to community leaders about expanding partnerships, housing options and other topics as UNMC prepares for the opening of the new building in the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Complex in Kearney. The UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division is located in the J. Paul & Elenor McIntosh College of Nursing building on the campus of Northeast Community College, where the forum took place.<\/p>\n\n\n

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From left, nursing student Chloe Ash; UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD; Lisa Walters, clinical assistant professor, UNMC College of Nursing northern Division; and nursing student Jayden Hochstein<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Joining Dr. Davies on the trip was Robert Messbarger, MD, regional associate dean for the UNMC College of Medicine at Kearney; Faye Haggar, EdD, manager of the UNMC Office of Community-based Education & Preceptor Excellence; Chandra Are, MD, associate dean for graduate medical education, and Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the UNMC College of Medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Walters, assistant professor at the UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division, and nursing students Chloe Ash and Jayden Hochstein joined Dr. Davies on the forum panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the forum, Dr. Davies discussed Dr. Gold\u2019s recent testimony in front of the legislature on bills regarding tenure and DEI, before turning his attention to the university budget. Dr. Davies said that university leaders have been in contact with legislators, \u201cjust making sure that there’s a clear understanding of how vital the university system is to the state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also spoke on federal actions, including the proposal to limit NIH indirect rates to 15%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat would be a big blow,\u201d he said, adding that university advocates continue to educate federal legislators on the potential impact of such a policy change. \u201cWe have been working hard to advocate and make sure that there’s an understanding of what cuts of these magnitude would mean to UNMC.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added, \u201cWe continue to advocate through our national organizations for a greater understanding of why, as a health science organization, it is important that our trainees feel qualified and competent in caring for everybody from every segment of our society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responding to concerns about federal and state changes and what they might mean for UNMC, Dr. Davies said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We recognize they present significant challenges that we have to tackle together. I am confident that we will, and I am working with our excellent leadership team in exploring opportunities for increasing our revenues, be more efficient in areas that we can and ensuring whatever cuts we end up having to make preserve the core of our mission and vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur mission, vision and values have not changed,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have been here 150 years \u2026 and I believe we will be here 150 years from now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe know we\u2019re going to get through this, because we have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNMC faculty, students and staff can watch the forum on the campus intranet.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a discussion with Dr. Davies, Walters said the UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division is proud to see its graduates working in rural Nebraska.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have studies that show the millions of dollars that remain in this part of the state because UNMC is here,\u201d she said, noting that the campus has a total of 80 students this year, with a larger class expected next year. The college also has several programs, offices and faculty in place to help students succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnything we can do to support our students is important to us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also spoke to the importance of nurses as health care advocates for their patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverything we do in nursing relates to policy,\u201d Walters said. \u201cIt\u2019s up to us to stay aware of the policies that are being implemented when it comes to health care in our country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davies also asked nursing students in attendance why they\u2019d suggest prospective nurses come to UNMC and specifically the Northern Division. Students said there was a \u201cpersonal investment\u201d on the part of the faculty in the students\u2019 success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope you\u2019ll take the opportunity to be preceptors one day,\u201d Dr. Davies told the students as he thanked them for sharing their thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On other topics, Dr. Davies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n