Beginning this fall, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine will become neighbors with other community partners in a new building within the Highlander neighborhood in north Omaha.
The med center – through its Community Wellness Collaborative at the Highlander – will have dedicated non-clinical space to provide health-related initiatives to support the community, help improve health equity and create an inclusive and diverse health workforce.
“The successes that arise from water cooler innovation are well documented,” said Heidi Keeler, PhD, assistant vice chancellor for the UNMC Office of Community Engagement. “Having a presence at the Highlander will enable us to connect with each other to create new ways to improve health equity among the community and create a diverse workforce.”
Located at 30th and Patrick streets, the building is part of the Highlander neighborhood’s purpose-built communities’ revitalization efforts to support residents and tenants in, and around, the area. With a goal of helping reduce disparities within the 68111 ZIP code area, the med center’s programming and initiatives will start with its community health needs assessment and improvement plan and move efforts forward in partnership with community members.
“Our goal is to be very intentional about listening to the members of our community in this area and determine areas of greatest concern and need so we can make a significant impact,” said Shanda Ross, Nebraska Medicine director for engagement, outreach and belonging. “We want to be more proactive about putting preventive measures in place to improve the health of our community.”
Med center leaders plan to work with Highlander residents to determine barriers and facilitators to health that are amenable to intervention; provide exposure to vocational options; use the space to recruit and host community pathway programs; and host community engagement days, informational sessions and collaborative activities for various audiences, including students.
UNMC faculty, staff and students who are interested in learning more, or providing programming, should email UNMC’s Office of Community Engagement.
Excited for the UNMC/Nebraska Medicine Community Wellness Collaborative at the Highlander!