Dr. Michaela Brockhouse stresses rural-care commitment in Health and Human Services appointment hearing

Dr. Michaela Brockhouse, a medical resident at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, told the Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee that she intends to return to Creighton to practice family medicine and that she seeks to represent rural clinicians on the state advisory panel.

"I've always seen is that living in rural communities is not for everybody," Brockhouse said, describing the lifestyle trade-offs and the need to recruit people willing to live and work in small towns. She said programs and personal outreach—students hearing directly from rural clinicians and community members—can help persuade trainees to commit to rural practice.

Brockhouse outlined her training path: she grew up in Creighton, participated in the Rural Health Opportunities Program at Wayne State College, was accepted to UNMC medical school and entered an advanced family medicine program that includes two years of training in Kearney. She said she expects to finish her training in 2028 and return to practice in her hometown.

When asked about local capacity, Brockhouse said the Creighton community hospital has "about 6 beds," with two to three serving as swing beds that can be used for skilled nursing or rehabilitation.

Committee members briefly introduced themselves at the start of the hearing; those introductions included Dan Kwik (District 35, Grand Island), Glenn Meyer (District 17) and John Frederickson (District 20). Meyer asked Brockhouse about her family background; Brockhouse confirmed several family members work as funeral directors, naming her father Greg Brockhouse and uncle Joe Brockhouse.

Chair Senator Brian Harton opened and closed the hearing. The transcript records the session as a hearing for the advisory commission; no formal vote or further committee action appears in the transcript.