After the announcement last month about planning for a significant expansion to the UNMC/Nebraska Medical Center campus, Nebraska lawmakers are poised to consider providing state funding, which would be integral to the research and education component of the new venture.
UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., describes the project as “transformational” — he and Nebraska Medicine CEO Jim Linder, M.D., believe the funding needed to create the new campus skyline over the next decade is attainable through truly unique public-private partnerships.
As described in a recent article in the Omaha World-Herald, many details are still being considered, the overall construction could cost $2.6 billion. The new space could raise Nebraska Medicine’s licensed hospital bed count to 1000-1200 beds. This construction would potentially be one of the most significant state wide.
“It’s important that we see this expansion not just in terms of physical buildings on our campus,” said Dr. Linder. “We are already starting to work on changing how we deliver care. That will be as important as where we deliver it.”
Dr. Linder added that he is gratified by the strong support from state lawmakers, the donor community and from colleagues within Nebraska Medicine and UNMC.
“By redesigning the way we care for patients and the space in which we do it, we will be able to do extraordinary things for our patients, in clinical research, and for our educational partners at UNMC and Clarkson College,” he said.
He added the project further catapults research and education at UNMC to world-leading status.
Dr. Gold also said that the project would be an economic driver for the entire state.
“The scope of this project and the opportunities it creates will have a significant, positive impact on the state’s economy, as well as propelling the medical center forward in its educational, research and health care mission,” Dr. Gold said. “This will also provide much needed infrastructure to continue to recruit world class faculty and expand the state wide health professions workforce.”
In the December announcement of the project, Drs. Gold and Linder said construction work could begin after the Munroe-Meyer Institute moves to its new, larger location on Pine Street.