UNMC Forum Highlights Laureate Recognition, Budget stability & Strategic Expansion
Omaha, Neb. - University of Nebraska Medical Center leadership today addressed key initiatives ranging from research funding and budget concerns to campus expansion and employee health resources during a recent forum. Chancellor Jeffrey P.Gold, MD, congratulated Siddappa Byrareddy, PhD, on being named UNMC’s 20th Scientist Laureate and Linda Cunningham on her permanent appointment as assistant vice chancellor and director of UNMC Human Resources.
dr. Davies emphasized a commitment to financial stability, stating, “We are laser-focused on stability. The key message here is we are not just cutting; we are also looking for ways to grow.” he affirmed UNMC will continue to “invest” in itself despite a national trend of declining National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. UNMC has maintained steady research dollars through a significant increase - nearly doubling – in industry grants and contracts. He expressed optimism for renewed Congressional support of NIH, while acknowledging indirect costs will likely remain a point of negotiation, and urged investigators to highlight the impact of their work on “chronic disease.”
The forum also covered employee resources,with the upcoming release of feedback from the 2025 Employee Engagement Survey and accompanying dashboard resources in Bridge to aid managers and leaders.Details regarding health insurance costs, negotiated through the University of Nebraska System, will be shared as soon as available.
Expansion efforts remain on track,with continued construction on the regional Kearney campus staying within budget and timeline. Updates were provided on leasing agreements within the EDGE District, Catalyst building and CORE Building, with Dr. Davies encouraging faculty, students and staff to utilize these facilities for collaboration with entrepreneurs and innovators, anticipating “something that could be transformational for the university” over time.A ribbon cutting for a new parking garage in the EDGE District is scheduled for October 8th. Student housing construction is progressing, though completion of the 42nd Street project remains a long-term undertaking.
Dr. Davies announced COVID vaccines will be available to all employees at Nebraska Medicine’s drop-in vaccination clinics without prescription or restrictions, while UNMC’s Operation immunization clinics will focus solely on flu shots.Legislative bills addressing barriers to dental care and access to oral health are being monitored, with recognition of UNMC College of Dentistry Dean Gerard “Gerry” Kugel, DMD, PhD, for his leadership in veteran care.
