For their incredible response in taking care of patients during the 2014 Ebola crisis, UNMC/Nebraska Medicine were recognized Tuesday with the Headliner of the Year Award from the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.
The award was presented to UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., at a luncheon before 925 community business leaders at CenturyLink Center Omaha. The luncheon was part of the Chamber’s 2nd to None Annual Meeting.
The award recognizes organizations which have positively impacted the image of Nebraska and Omaha.
David G. Brown, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, said: “When an Ebola scare gripped the nation, the University of Nebraska Medical Center was on the front lines, a critical resource and leader in the world’s fight against Ebola and other infectious diseases.
“As UNMC provided care and containment, research and training to top hospitals and medical centers throughout the country, it raised awareness of Omaha as a center for medical excellence and innovation. President Obama has highlighted and praised UNMC’s work with Ebola on multiple occasions, including just recently when he was in town.”
In accepting the award, Dr. Gold acknowledged the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit “as the finest biocontainment unit in the world.” He noted that media coverage of the Ebola crisis and the role of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit has been viewed by more than 1.5 billion people around the world.
Dr. Gold asked Phil Smith, M.D., medical director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, to stand and be recognized by the crowd.
Dr. Smith, who is a professor in the College of Public Health and internal medicine-infectious diseases, had the foresight to open the biocontainment unit in 2005. The unit was one of only three in the country called upon by the U.S. State Department to care for U.S. citizens who acquired Ebola virus disease in Africa.
UNMC/Nebraska Medicine cared for three Ebola patients in 2014. For their efforts, the biocontainment unit team was recognized by the Omaha World-Herald as “Midlanders of the Year.”
Keynote speaker at the event was Chuck Hagel, former U.S. senator (1997-2009) and Secretary of Defense (2013-2015).
In his remarks, Hagel cited UNMC specifically for what it “continues to do.”
He said, “It’s about response. It’s all how you respond..taking the challenge and making it better.”
Great Recognition from the Chambers of Commerce. Congratulations to Dr. Smith for his vision and to the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit for your dedication and commitment.