Education and the support of health professionals, students and researchers are among the deepest passions of a widely known Nebraska couple.
At a formal groundbreaking ceremony for UNMC’s College of Public Health, University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken announced that the new building will be named for UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., and his wife, Beverly.
“Under Chancellor Maurer’s leadership, the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus has been transformed into a nationally recognized center of medical research, education and patient care. UNMC has also significantly expanded its service to the people of Nebraska, through public outreach and education. The College of Public Health adds another dimension to the university’s impact on Nebraska, and it is fitting that this center carry the names of Hal and Beverly Maurer—two individuals who have a deep concern for the future of health education and for the quality of life in Nebraska,” said Milliken.
Omahans Ruth and Bill Scott made the lead gift to construct the new facility. Instead of putting their name on the building, they opted to honor Dr. and Mrs. Maurer for their commitment to Nebraskans’ health.
“We have seen the superior dedication the Maurers have to health issues and the education of the next generation of health professionals,” said Ruth Scott. “Their vision to address state health issues, recruit nationally known researchers and create a centralized UNMC campus demonstrates their concern for public health. We are delighted to honor them in this way.”
The name of the building came as a surprise for those who attended today’s ceremony. Chancellor and Mrs. Maurer said they were humbled by the Scotts’ decision to name the latest UNMC building in their honor.
“Beverly and I have lived by the same philosophy: come to work, work hard and good things will happen,” said Chancellor Maurer. “We are grateful to Ruth and Bill Scott for recognizing the health needs of our state and giving so generously to UNMC to address them.”
The Harold M. and Beverly Maurer Center for Public Health will open in April 2010. The 52,500-square-foot facility will boast three levels and will be located south of Dewey Avenue on the east side of 40th street.
As the home of the College of Public Health, the building will bring together students, faculty and community members to evaluate health trends, problems and solutions. Diabetes, childhood obesity, addictions, health disparities and biosecurity and biopreparedness are some of the statewide concerns.
The College of Public Health became fully operational in 2007. It was the first new college on UNMC’s campus 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 northwest U.S. which spans 1,400 miles east-west and 800 miles north-south of Nebraska.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through their commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading centers in cancer, transplantation biology, bioterrorism preparedness, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, biomedical technology and ophthalmology. UNMC’s research funding from external sources now exceeds $82 million annually and has resulted in the creation of more than 2,400 highly skilled jobs in the state. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 513 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
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