UNMC Changes Since the Merger
The merger of the University of Nebraska and Omaha University prompted the Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Cecil Wittson, to advocate for the elevation of the College of Medicine to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The University of Nebraska Medical Center became a semi-autonomous unit in the system. Wittson became the president of UNMC, with the title later changing to Chancellor. The creation of UNMC led to the consolidation of the health science colleges under the administrative control UNMC in the following decade.
Dr. Harry McFadden, M.D., was Professor of pathology and bacteriology and Chairman of the department of medical microbiology at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. He was interim Chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1972 and again 1976-1977.
Oral history excerpt from Harry McFadden, interim chancellor of UNMC. The clip covers Dr. Cecil Wittson's promotion to president of UNMC at the time of the NU merger. This interview was recorded November 30, 2004. (View streaming video of this excerpt.)