The University of Nebraska System has released the latest episode of its “Heart to Heart” podcast series, featuring Dr. Dele Davies, interim chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The series, hosted by President Jeff Gold, connects with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members to get to the heart of how the University of Nebraska makes a difference in everyday lives.
On the episode, Dr. Gold and Dr. Davies discuss his journey to Nebraska, UNMC’s statewide impact in recruiting, educating and retaining future health care professionals and the medical center’s role as a research leader improving lives and patient outcomes.
Dr. Davies, an internationally respected pediatric infectious disease expert, joined the UNMC leadership team more than a decade ago—initially serving as UNMC’s senior vice chancellor. His role as vice chancellor included responsibility for academic, faculty and student oversight, as well as numerous pipeline and other continuing and high school academic programs and initiatives. Now, as interim chancellor, he continues to lead with the values that originally drew him to the medical center.
“I saw a community and a state where people care deeply, where there is a very generous and impactful philanthropic community and where people truly care about doing what's right and making sure that their work is meaningful,” Dr. Davies said. “Those were values that resonated deeply with me.”
Drs. Gold and Davies also discussed UNMC’s role in addressing Nebraska’s critical health care provider shortages—especially in rural areas. UNMC serves all 93 Nebraska counties through education, clinical training, rural partnerships and community engagement.
“Nebraska has an acute shortage of healthcare professionals, and UNMC is leading the state in making sure that we overcome that,” Dr. Davies said. “We do that by going across the state and listening to the communities, trying to understand what their needs are and making sure that we help overcome the barriers of any student who wants to become a healthcare provider in Nebraska.”
Dr. Davies highlighted innovative pipeline initiatives, including partnerships with high schools, early-admission programs and expanded opportunities through the UNK-UNMC Health Science Education Complex in Kearney. When at maxiumum student enrollment, the complex in Kearney will be the largest academic health care complex in rural America—serving over 600 health care students. Dr. Davies noted that 85% of students currently training in Kearney remain in rural Nebraska after graduation.
“This is going to be a big game changer for Nebraska,” he said.
Dr. Davies and Dr. Gold also discussed UNMC’s expanding research enterprise—now over $218 million annually—and its direct impact on Nebraskans.
“We spend over $218 million every year in research, and every million dollars spent equals 15 to 30 jobs that are created right here in Nebraska,” Dr. Davies said. “More importantly, most of that money comes from outside the state—new money that's being infused into Nebraska’s economy every year.”
He highlighted recent medical breakthroughs at UNMC, including first-ever applications of CAR-T cell therapy for lupus and multiple sclerosis.
“These are people who would not have access to this treatment if it was not for the research that was being done here in Nebraska,” he said. “We’re very proud at UNMC that we have world-class researchers who are leading and helping to transform lives.”
President Gold praised Dr. Davies’ leadership and UNMC’s contributions to the health and economic vitality of the state:
“Having been in academic health care almost my entire career, I'm know the importance of what large and successful academic medical centers do for their communities,” he said on the episode. “They not only educate the workforce, conduct cutting-edge research and provide world-class clinical care, but they uplift the economy as well through high-paying, stable jobs.”
New episodes of “Heart to Heart” are released monthly and feature faculty, staff, students and alumni from across the university’s four campuses. Future topics will include healthcare, student success, statewide workforce development, K–12 education and more.