The University of Nebraska Board of Regents Friday voted to name a planned biopreparedness exhibit within the Wigton Heritage Center in honor of Philip Smith, MD, one of UNMC’s visionary infectious disease leaders.
With the naming of the exhibit, the board expressed its gratitude and appreciation for Dr. Smith and his wife, Sherry. The board said the naming is: “In recognition of Philip W. Smith, MD, founding medical director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, and the dedicated Unit Team.”
Dr. Smith is credited for establishing the unit in 2005, while serving as chief of the division of infectious diseases. He also led the highly trained biocontainment unit team in 2014, when three patients who had become sick with Ebola were treated in Nebraska. The unit’s success propelled UNMC and Nebraska Medicine into its current global leadership position in biopreparedness and infectious disease research and treatment.
The exhibit, slated to open in early June on level four of the Wigton Heritage Center, will feature the history of biopreparedness at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. The exhibit will include artifacts, as well as oral histories from members of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, those involved in biopreparedness education and research and more.
So glad Dr. Smith will be honored in this way, a true pioneer in his field.
What a great honor for a remarkable physician leader!
Such a wonderful way to recognize Phil’s legacy. He is an inspiration to many of us.
It was a privilege to have worked with Phil.
Bravo, Dr. Smith. U da’ man!
Congratulations, Dr. Smith, on this well-deserved recognition. Wish I could be there to see the exhibit. All the best!
I am so happy to hear this. Dr. Smith is an outstanding professional and physician, as well as a wonderful and caring individual! A true visionary.
This will be so fun to see and so important to share with others that are visionaries like Phil. To see where it all started and how his insight and tenacity over years propelled us to current state is inspiring.