Legislative committee hears three nominations for Nebraska State Board of Health

Senator Brian Hart, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, opened a series of appointments with an introduction of Ryan Palmer, who said he is an optometrist practicing in Blair and would bring both rural and urban practice experience to the Nebraska State Board of Health.

Palmer told senators he is a third‑generation optometrist who has practiced in both urban and rural settings and said he hoped to help the board set public‑health precedent and work with the Legislature to shape policy. He answered committee questions about rural access and described a broad patient base extending to nearby towns and into western Iowa.

The committee then heard from Mark Burch, a practicing physical therapist in Omaha seeking re‑nomination. Burch summarized prior work on the board, including development of a credentialing review manual and stakeholder training materials. He said key issues he has encountered include statewide budget pressure, provider reimbursement and evolving practice issues the board must address.

Finally, the committee accepted a written statement for the record from Patricia Kuchera, who described decades of nursing practice, work with veterans in psychiatric intensive care and current service as an adjunct professor and as a State Board of Health member since 2024. The statement cited her development of a published acuity‑tool research project and emphasized advocacy for patient‑centered care, scope‑of‑practice clarity and clinical instruction for nursing students.

Committee members asked each nominee about the board’s role in addressing rural health deserts and coordinating with the Legislature; no confirmation votes were recorded at the hearing. The committee moved on to the day’s bill hearings.