One’s best friend died of a brain tumor at the age of eight.
Another came to the U.S. from Kathmandu just one and a half years ago.
A third is No. 3 in her class even through English is her second language.
If you talk to any of the 36 high school students, you would hear the compelling and unique reasons why they want to pursue health care careers. They are the first class of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s (UNMC) High School Alliance. The students were among 80 applicants to the program and were selected through a lottery drawing.
The alliance is a partnership between UNMC, eight metropolitan area school districts and an educational service unit (ESU). The first class, representing 17 different high schools, is geographically and economically diverse, with 37 percent of the students qualifying for free-and-reduced lunch programs.
“These students from across the metro have similar career interests and this program gives them an opportunity to meet and learn together,” said Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein, executive director for the Peter Kiewit Foundation, who interviewed students for the program. “I was just amazed at their academic strengths, passion and desire to pursue careers in science. I wish there was enough space in the program for all interested, qualified students.”
The goal of UNMC’s High School Alliance is simple – give high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to take college-level courses in preparation for careers in health care.
“These students will be exposed to complex science concepts while building on the skills and knowledge gained in their high schools. It will expose them to practicing health professionals in the educational, research, and clinical settings and provide a critical pathway for students to become Nebraska’s future health care providers,” said Bob Bartee, UNMC vice chancellor for external affairs.
The courses — specifically designed for high school students — will be taught by UNMC faculty on the UNMC campus. Some of the topics include innovation of medical technologies, medical decision making and biomedical research. Most of the courses offered in this program will be eligible for dual enrollment credit with the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).
The Sherwood Foundation, the Omaha Public Schools and the UNMC College of Medicine Alumni Association provided funding for the alliance.
Students will attend an open house May 25 where they will meet other students, faculty and staff as well as select their courses. The event will be held in the Sorrell Center on the UNMC campus.
Below are the names of each high school represented in the UNMC High School Alliance.
High School
Arlington High School
Bellevue East High School
Bellevue West High School
Bennington High School
Abraham Lincoln High School
Thomas Jefferson High School
Douglas County West High School
Gretna High School
Benson High School
Bryan High School
Burke High School
Central High School
North High School
South High School
Papillion-Lavista High School
Papillion-Lavista South High School
Westside High School
As the state’s only academic health science center, UNMC is on the leading edge of health care. Breakthroughs are possible because hard-working researchers, educators and clinicians are resolved to work together to fuel discovery. In 2009, UNMC’s extramural research support topped $100 million for the first time, resulting in the creation of 3,600 jobs in Nebraska. UNMC’s academic excellence is shown through its award-winning programs, and its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its 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 health care centers. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 550 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.