Public health dean sets lofty goal for state

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) and Red Willow County Health Department (RWCHD) joined forces to welcome Dr. Khan, the new dean of the College of Public Health at UNMC. Those attending his reception in McCook included, first row, from left, Brandon Grimm, PhD, MPH, Director, Office of Public Health Practice UNMC and Dr. Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH, Dean of the College of Public Health, UNMC. Second row, Denise Ringenberg, assistant director, SWNPHD; Pam Klug, RN, public health nurse, RWCHD; Melissa Propp, RN, public health nurse, SWNPHD; Helena T. Janousek, respite coordinator, SWNPHD and Heidi Wheeler, emergency response coordinator, SWNPHD. Back row, Janet Brenning, office manager, SWNPHD; Kevin Potthoff, RWCHD board member; Dr. Jason Blomstedt, medical director, RWCHD; Tami Herskowitz, RN, surveillance nurse, SWNPHD and Myra Stoney, SWNPHD executive director. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Neb. -- Can Nebraska be the healthiest state in the union? The new Dean at the College of Public Health / University of Nebraska Medical Center thinks so.

But first, a way to trim healthcare costs has to be found, said Dr. Ali Khan, M.D., M.P.H.

Americans spend about $3.1 trillion per year on healthcare, about one fifth of the economy, he said in his stop in McCook Wednesday, part of his six-week listening tour that is taking him across the entire state to each of the public health departments.

"Before Sesame Street's Cookie Monster got politically correct eating carrots, he used to shove cookies in his mouth as fast as he could get them. That's what healthcare costs are like, sucking up all the dollars," said Dr. Khan. His visit, hosted by Southwest Public Health Department and with representatives from Red Willow County Health Department, was one of 22 visits scheduled.

"We need ... to make sure everyone is healthy and show the rest of the world how that is done," Khan said. And the key to lowering costs?

Warding off healthcare crisis before they happen.

"Prevention is always the best buy, cheaper than chronic illness," he said, citing vaccinations and wellness programs.

Stepping in as UNMC's dean of public health four weeks ago, Dr. Khan wasted no time in getting his feet wet. He has embarked on a six-week listening tour that will take him across the state, with the goal of discovering the needs of each of the public health departments.

Nebraska ranks 11 on the national health ranking (eclipsed by New Jersey at No. 10; Hawaii is No. 1) so "how do we become the healthiest state and what would it take?" he asked. Nebraska is the right size to do the right thing, he maintained.

"How do you make everyone healthy? We can show the rest of the world how that is done."

Khan comes to Omaha after being with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, for the past 23 years. At the CDC, he was a field epidemiologist -- or disease detective -- and traveled to remote areas all over the world, including isolated villages and war zones, studying viruses such as Ebola, SARS and other deadly diseases.

Since 2010, he has been director of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response and oversees the national public health security program with a $1.3 billion budget and 600 employees. The office is responsible for protecting U.S. communities from all public health threats.

Besides finding out the health needs and concerns of the state, Khans' listening tour has also shown him the vastness and beauty of western Nebraska.

"I learned it's eight hours (by car) from Omaha to Alliance," the Brooklyn, New York native said. "I really like western Nebraska. It's very pretty and not at all flat."