University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., and nine top UNMC leaders will visit nine communities in Nebraska on June 26-27. During its annual trip, the team will meet with community leaders in Alliance, Broken Bow, Chadron, Lexington, McCook, North Platte, Scottsbluff, Sidney and Valentine.

The purpose of the visits is to learn about community needs and new initiatives, as well as to provide updates on how UNMC is improving the health of Nebraska through its education, research and patient care programs. The updates will include information about programs targeted toward improving the health of rural Nebraskans.

In addition, leaders will outline plans for “Building a Healthier Nebraska” projects involving UNMC: a $19 million, 30,000-square-foot facility at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to provide more space for UNK’s science programs and for expansion of UNMC’s nursing and allied health programs; and a $370 million cancer center in Omaha that will receive $50 million in state funds.

The schedule in Valentine Wednesday,will include a Tour of The Cherry County hospital, with administrator Brent Peterson and staff about 12:30.

Leaders who will be in Valentine:

Bradley Britigan, M.D., (pronounced BRIT-AGAIN) dean, UNMC College of Medicine

Ayman El-Mohandes (pronounced EL-MO-HAHN-DES), dean, UNMC College of Public Health

Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., senior associate dean, UNMC School of Allied Health Professions

Bob Bartee (pronounced BAR-TEE), vice chancellor for external affairs