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Event will address health challenges in Nebraska’s rural communities
KEARNEY — Community organizations, health care professionals and academic partners will gather Sept. 2 9 for the Rural Engagement and Wellness Summit, a daylong event aimed at tackling the health challenges facing rural Nebraska.
The summit is designed to build relationships and partnerships across the state’s rural health landscape, said Emily Frankel, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Ce nter and an event organizer. Co-sponsored by the Great Plains IDeA Clinical and Translational Research (CTR) Network, headquartered at UNMC, and University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, the summit will be held at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
UNMC is expanding its rural footprint to help meet workforce needs. New pharmacy students began training in Kearney this school year, and medical students will follow in August 202 6 when the Health Science Education Center II opens. That growth underscores the summit’s focus on listening to rural communities, aligning resources with local priorities and dev eloping strategies that support long-term health, well-being and resilience, Frankel said.
Keynote speakers include Drs. Andy and Cade Craig, graduates of the UNMC College of Medicine who practice at Kearney County Health Services in Minden. Both completed the Kearney Health Op portunities Program at UNK before attending UNMC and continue to champion the program. Additional keynotes are scheduled from Brandon Grimm, Ph.D., vice dean of the UNMC College of Public Health, professor of health promotion and interim chair of the UNMC Department of Health Services Research and Administration; and Jane McElroy, Ph.D., of Rural Health Research and Extension in Mis souri.
The summit will follow an “unconference” format, encouraging attendees to help shape and lead the discussions. Organizers aim to identify the most pressing rural health issues, support collabo rative solutions and translate ideas into actionable steps.
If You Go
Date: Sept. 29 Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: UNK Regional Engagement Center, 2204 University Drive, Kearney Registration: Register online; more information is available on UNMC’s event page.
“Hosting the Rural Engagement and Wellness Summit provides a powerful opportunity to bring together community members, academics, clinicians, educators, public health officials and o ther partners united by a shared commitment to the health and vitali ty of Nebraska’s rural communities,” Frankel said.
