Ground to break Thursday for new public health building

An artist’s rendering of the College of Public Health building, which UNMC will build on 40th Street thanks to a gift from Omaha philanthropists Ruth and Bill Scott. Ground will break on the new facility on Thursday.

Most people are used to one-on-one, doctor-patient relationships. But a public health professional takes a broader look at the health trends, problems and solutions for a community, state or region.

A formal groundbreaking ceremony Thursday at 10:30 a.m. will mark the latest expansion to the UNMC campus — a facility for the College of Public Health. At the ceremony, the name of the building will be unveiled. It will honor a widely-known Nebraska couple, who have been visionary leaders in the community.

The 52,500-square-foot, three-level building will cost $16.5 million. It is slated to be completed by April 2010. Principal donors Ruth and Bill Scott, longtime supporters of UNMC and the University of Nebraska, made the lead gift.

“We’d like to thank the Scotts for their deep concern for the health of Nebraskans and their support of our efforts,” said Keith Mueller, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Public Health. “Having a specific campus building demonstrates the commitment to addressing public health issues.

“We are excited for the construction process to begin as we continue our work advancing health policy in Nebraska.”

Omaha philanthropists Ruth and Bill Scott have provided the lead gift for the construction of the UNMC College of Public Health Building.

The College of Public Health will address a variety of health concerns including diabetes, childhood obesity, heart disease, addictions, health disparities, biosecurity and pandemic diseases. The facility is designed to bring together faculty, students and community members in a comprehensive way to evaluate health outcomes statewide.

Ruth Scott commended the College of Public Health for its role in addressing societal issues on a large scale.

“Many Nebraska families are facing a childhood obesity epidemic,” she said. “It can have a domino effect on the lives of these children as they become adults who may develop heart disease and other health problems. The College of Public Health is uniquely situated to develop preventative strategies to improve overall health. Bill and I are thrilled that we can support this effort.”

When it became fully operation in 2007, the College of Public Heath was the first new college at UNMC since 1968. Although there are 125 academic medical centers in the United States, less than 40 have colleges of public health. Furthermore, there are no other colleges of public health in a large section of the United States that spans 1,400 miles to the east and west and 800 miles to the north and south of Nebraska.

Dr. Mueller said UNMC’s College of Public Health can serve the entire region.

“Public health impacts us all,” Dr. Mueller said. “A state-of-the art facility will be pivotal in the college’s development and will provide us the environment we need to tackle the region’s most critical health care needs.”

The building will provide space for five departments and seven centers that make up the college. Other areas of health expertise currently are in the development phase.