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Global Center for Health Security

- Our Expertise Overview
- Why Nebraska?
  Nebraska’s difference is an all-star, all-volunteer team that dedicated itself to being ready for any biocontainment crisis at any time.
- Leadership
  The Global Center is led by experts in biopreparedness and high-consequence infections research, education and clinical care.
- Scholars
  Our scholars are leading advancements in global health security.
- Affiliates
  Our affiliates are innovative experts collaborating to advance global health security.
- C-STARS
  C-STARS, the Center for Sustainment of Trauma Readiness Skills- Omaha is a collaboration between UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, and the Air Force Research Laboratory’s School of Aerospace Medicine. C-STARS Omaha works closely with UNMC’s Global Center for Health Security, iEXCEL, and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit to take advantage of the medical center’s capabilities and expertise in biopreparedness training and research.
- Our Team
  Our team consists of a variety of professionals providing support and project management to further the Global Center for Health Security’s mission.
- Domains Overview
- Clinical Operations
  The Global Center for Health Security is the premier U.S. institution for management of high-consequence infections. Further, our clinical capabilities include biological, chemical, burn, and radiation domains.
- Education & Training
  Our expertise is now sought worldwide and officially sanctioned by the U.S. government. The GCHS is the home base to the national Training, Simulation, and Quarantine Center and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit.
- Research
  The GCHS has laser-focused existing work by our leading scientists in fields like chemical weapons, drug discovery and public health.
- Innovation & External Partnerships
  The GCHS has partnered with many academic groups at UNMC and external partners to tackle the most pressing problems in emerging infectious diseases.
Programs
- Health Emergencies Overview
- Outbreaks to Watch
  Find information about emerging pathogens, diseases and outbreaks from around the world. Stay updated on the most recent information on worldwide global health and emerging pathogens outbreaks.
- COVID-19
  Explore our COVID-19 page for recent news, resources, manuals, and playbooks. Biweekly overviews of new data and developments presented by James V. Lawler, MD, MPH, FIDSA can now be found on the Health Emergencies page.
- HPAI H5N1- Avian Influenza
  Learn more about the current worldwide outbreak of HPAI H5N1- Avian Influenza and explore resources, news, webinars, and our unofficial map.
- Marburg Virus Disease
  Explore this page for more information, resources, news, and situational updates about the current Marburg outbreak in Rwanda.
- Mpox
  The Global Center for Health Security is currently monitoring the spread of mpox. Learn more by viewing our resources.
- Dengue Fever
  The GCHS is currently monitoring the rise of Dengue Fever. This page provides information, resources, and news.
The Transmission
- News Overview
- Highlights
  Read recent highlights, articles, events, recognition and updates on the work of our programs and partners.
- Events
  Find scheduled and past events involving the Global Center for Health Security.
- Annual Reports
  Find annual reports for our center and several of our programs.

— Global Center for Health Security — About Us — Our Team — Shahnaz Benner

Shahnaz Benner, BSN, RN

Biocontainment Unit Clinical Program Coordinator

Shahnaz Benner, BSN, RN

Shahnaz Benner joined Nebraska Medicine as an emergency department fellow in the ED fellowship program in 2010. Shahnaz has more than 13 years of nursing experience delivering emergency room care and caring for patients with highly infectious diseases. Shahnaz currently works as a clinical program coordinator with the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit and assists the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center with content development of clinical care considerations and long term care education. She also assists the Region VII Disaster Health Response Ecosystem by creating resources and providing education on highly infectious diseases. Shahnaz trains the National Disaster Medical System Disaster (NMDS) Medical Assistance Teams on caring for patients with highly hazardous communicable diseases. Currently, she is working towards her master’s degree in nursing with a specialization in the family nurse practitioner program at UNMC.