By any measure, 2003 was a remarkable year at UNMC.
It was a year of construction, fueled by the generosity of private donors. It marked new heights in UNMC’s research funding, the opening of a world-class research building, and national recognition for its community service work and bioterrorism preparedness efforts.
Under the leadership of UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., and the contributions of talented faculty, staff and students, UNMC increased its stature in the classroom, laboratory, community and clinical setting. As we climb to new heights in 2004, we pause to reflect on some of the successes of 2003.
Durham Research Center opens — The 10-level, $77 million research facility opened its doors to scientists, students and the public. The facility was built almost exclusively with private dollars, thanks to Omaha philanthropist Chuck Durham and other principal benefactors. The facility will enhance UNMC’s research in a number of areas including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurosciences, transplantation biology, genetics and eye research.
Research $$ — UNMC’s total grant funding reached a record $62 million and was bolstered when, during one week in September, UNMC landed its largest grants in history.
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Shelley Smith, Ph.D. | Peggy Wheelock, Ph.D. |
- Shelley Smith, Ph.D., received a five-year grant totaling more than $10.6 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study genes in neurosensory systems. The grant – the largest ever received by UNMC – was funded through the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (CoBRE) program, which is supported by the NIH.
- Peggy Wheelock, Ph.D., a five-year grant totaling almost $9.9 million from the NIH to further the understanding of cell signaling — the biochemical response of cells to their environment — in relation to study a variety of cancers.
Awards – There were a host of awards gleaned by individuals and departments at UNMC, but two stand out for their national prestige.
- Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Children’s Oncology Group, a National Cancer Institute-supported clinical cooperative cancer treatment and research group.
- UNMC received the Outstanding Community Service Award for 2003 from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Construction projects – At one point, three construction cranes towered over campus, but by year’s end UNMC had completed three large construction projects totaling nearly $108 million – nearly all of which were paid for by private funds.
- East Utility Plant, 40th Street and Dewey Avenue (project cost was $11.3 million)
- Employee parking garage, also known as Lot 50 ($19.3 million)
- Durham Research Center ($77 million)
Bioterrorism – UNMC repeatedly showed the nation how it is a leader in bioterrorism preparedness, earning praise from leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal government. Those efforts were validated when the University of Nebraska become one of four finalists for a university-based Department of Homeland Security research center related to the economic consequences of terrorism. The University of Nebraska Center for Biosecurity at UNMC coordinated the proposal, which emerged from a field of 72 applicants.
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Rubens Pamies, M.D. | John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D. |
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Virginia Tilden, Ph.D. | Ernest Prentice, Ph.D. |
Appointments — Again and again, UNMC faculty members were recognized nationally for their outstanding contributions. Meanwhile, UNMC recruited a number of faculty and researchers in its quest to become a world-class academic health science center. Here are some of the notable appointments and honors:
- Rubens Pamies, M.D., was named vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNMC.
- John Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., was named dean of the UNMC College of Medicine.
- Virginia Tilden, Ph.D., was named dean of the UNMC College of Nursing.
- Ernest Prentice, Ph.D., associate dean for research and associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, was named chairman of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protection.
Milestones – It was a year of milestones in patient care and partnerships.
- On July 3, the medical center oncology/hematology staff performed its 3,000th bone marrow/peripheral stem cell transplant.
- In July, the state of Nebraska partnered with UNMC, Creighton University Medical Center and The Nebraska Medical Center to create a new poison center in Nebraska – the Nebraska Regional Poison Center.
- In November, UNMC and The Nebraska Medical Center announced an innovative program that allows anonymous kidney donation.
- In December, UNMC and Creighton University announce their role in the state’s plan to revamp behavioral health.