NET Radio, NET Television, CIMRO of Nebraska and a coalition of Nebraska health care organizations are working to identify health care issues in Nebraska to raise awareness of the health care quality improvement movement and to motivate community members to become advocates for improving care for themselves and their families.

NET Television will air "Remaking Nebraska Medicine: A Nebraska Connects Special" on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. CT on NET1. The live, hour-long program will feature segments on improving patient care in the state. These will include: a look at how the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn has made changes in how medicine is distributed to patients; an examination of how the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings has revamped their care system after a medical error ended in a patient death; and an exploration of alternative medicine as it related to patient-centered care.

The majority of the program -- hosted by Margaret Bumann from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) -- will feature a panel of experts answering viewer questions. Viewers are encouraged to call in with questions or comments (toll-free to 1-800-676-5446, 472-1212 in Lincoln ) or send them via e-mail before or during the live program to neconnects@netNebraska.org.

Panel members will include: Dr. Robert Arias, Arias Neuropsychology and Behavioral Medicine, Lincoln; Helen Fagen, diversity coordinator at BryanLGH Medical Center, Lincoln; Kimberly Galt, associate dean for Research, School of Pharmacy and Health Professionals, Creighton University, Omaha; Dr. Dale Michels, Lincoln Family Medical Group; and Kermit Moore, director of nursing at Auburn's Nemaha County Hospital.

"Remaking Nebraska Medicine: A Nebraska Connects Special" will also air on NET2 on Friday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. CT; Sunday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. CT; and Monday, Oct. 30, at 9 p.m. CT.

The final episode of "Remaking American Medicine," a national PBS series exploring the attempts to fix the broken health care system, airs at 9 p.m. CT, immediately following "Remaking Nebraska Medicine."

In conjunction with the PBS series "Remaking American Medicine," NET Radio looks at how patients can take a more active role in their care. Listen Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 23 - 25, during "Morning Edition" at 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. CT for this and other heath topics. "Remaking Nebraska Medicine: A Live Call-in" will also address these issues and more, broadcast on NET Radio on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Patient accountability and how it is applicable to community health centers and combined rural health departments will be addressed in the three NET Radio news features. The Oct. 23 report looks at what patient accountability means and what health professionals are doing to convince patients to take a more active role in their care. How community health centers work with immigrant and refugee communities and the challenges these groups face is the topic on Oct. 24, culminating in the Oct. 25 report on the role of combined county health departments and the challenges of proactive care in rural Nebraska.

"Remaking Nebraska Medicine: A Live Call-in" will also address these issues and more on NET Radio Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. CT. NET Radio news director Martin Wells will host the program, with guests Dr. Joann Schaefer, executive director, Nebraska Health and Human Services System, and Dr. Arturo Spindola, director of minority health at the East Central Health Department in Columbus , Neb. Listeners may call in their questions the night of the program to 800-290-6850, or submit them in advance via e-mail to mwells@netNebraska.org .

Individuals can also visit the NET website at netNebraska.org and follow the prompts to access the "Nebraska Connects" television segments and the NET Radio news features and call-in program. The site will also feature links to CIMRO of Nebraska, selected coalition member sites, additional health care resources and the national "Remaking American Medicine" website.

To find out more about local outreach events, contact NET Outreach Coordinator, Marthaellen Florence, 402-472-9333, ext.220 or e-mail at mflorence@netNebraska.org

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