{"id":125893,"date":"2025-09-19T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=125893"},"modified":"2025-09-19T08:29:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T13:29:46","slug":"forum-discusses-expansion-of-health-workforce-initiatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/09\/19\/forum-discusses-expansion-of-health-workforce-initiatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Forum discusses expansion of health workforce initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, was joined by Kyle Meyer, PhD, Armstrong Family Distinguished Chair of Rural Healthcare Workforce Strategy, at the chancellor\u2019s monthly all-campus forum Wednesday to talk about UNMC\u2019s new Office of Health Workforce Initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davies began the forum by welcoming everyone back to school and fondly recalled the annual rituals of orientation, UNMC\u2019s fall BBQ and white coat ceremonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

View the Sept. 17 forum on the campus intranet.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davies also acknowledged the trauma and turmoil being felt across the country in the wake of multiple deadly incidents of gun violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt this time, it is important to remember we are a healing organization,\u201d Dr. Davies said. \u201cI would like to thank all of you for your grace toward one another. Together, even in moments like these, we can be a source of strength and hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resources<\/a> are available<\/a> for anyone who could benefit from support at this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Meyer, who also serves as associate vice chancellor for health workforce initiatives and dean of the UNMC College of Allied Health Professions, told the in-person and online audience about the new office\u2019s mission \u2013 which in many ways builds upon and expands the work of the Office of Rural Health Initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further, the new office<\/a> will align and integrate current workforce efforts and serve as a resource for external agencies and communities, Dr. Meyer said. Dr. Meyer lauded UNMC\u2019s numerous pathway programs, outreach efforts and partnerships. \u201cSo many pieces across the campus,\u201d Dr. Meyer said, \u201cI won\u2019t try to mention everyone,\u201d for fear of leaving someone out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll are doing outstanding work, but not always knowing what the others are doing,\u201d Dr. Meyer said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new office will get everyone on the same page and under a single umbrella \u2013 while also serving as a single point of contact for external partners. Other major emphases include increasing the number of and enhancing relationships with preceptors, and overseeing UNMC\u2019s continued expansion of programs to its regional Kearney campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are the No. 1 producer of the health care workforce in Nebraska,\u201d Dr. Davies said. \u201cBut there\u2019s a lot of work to do to address the need across the state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davies said one of his goals is to further integrate UNMC students and residents into communities across Nebraska, to better serve these communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are not telling community providers to train our students,\u201d Dr. Davies said. \u201cWe are asking them what their needs are and then aligning that to who we send. We are sending residents (and trainees on clinical rotation) where they can hopefully become a part of that community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other news from the forum, Dr. Davies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n