{"id":131501,"date":"2026-04-22T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=131501"},"modified":"2026-04-21T14:15:28","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T19:15:28","slug":"dr-davies-our-best-work-still-lies-in-front-of-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/04\/22\/dr-davies-our-best-work-still-lies-in-front-of-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr. Davies: ‘Our best work still lies in front of us’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The challenges facing UNMC make the med center\u2019s shared mission as important as it\u2019s ever been \u2013 and collaboration essential, Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, told UNMC faculty in his annual faculty address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davies acknowledged the past year has brought real pressures on UNMC. But he cited UNMC\u2019s continuing progress in the face of those challenges \u2013 an expanding presence around Nebraska and an expanding campus in Omaha, along with advances in discovery, engagement and patient care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his April 15 address titled \u201cMoving Boldly Forward Together,\u201d Dr. Davies said UNMC\u2019s mission statement is its anchor during challenging times, and the med center\u2019s ITEACH values provide the framework for the institution to move forward together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davies directly cited the joint UNMC and Nebraska Medicine mission: \u201cTo lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davies said that mission is about UNMC\u2019s students, the citizens of Nebraska that benefit from UNMC research and the patients that expect extraordinary care every day \u2013 not just in Omaha and Nebraska but around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is what we have to remind ourselves every day when we’re going through challenges: How do we move forward together?\u201d Dr. Davies said. \u201cWe have to remember our values.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine have a vast impact on Nebraska\u2019s health and economy, Dr. Davies said, as they are responsible for employing 57,000 people, directly or indirectly, and contributing $7.7 billion to the state\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That influence on the health workforce is expanding, with UNMC\u2019s enrollment growing for 25 consecutive years and UNMC currently employing 734 residents and house officers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, the Health Science Education Center II in Kearney is opening \u2013 becoming the largest academic health center in rural America, Dr. Davies said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a facility that is second to none, right in the middle of the state,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is going to transform how we provide health care workforce for the rural parts of our state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other progress that Dr. Davies highlighted for UNMC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n