45th Street renamed Durham Research Plaza

Chuck Durham, left, and UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., with a replica of the Durham Research Plaza sign.

During a brief ceremony today, 45th Street on the UNMC campus was renamed “Durham Research Plaza,” to reflect the major impact Chuck Durham and his late wife, Margre, have made on research, education and patient care at UNMC.

“It’s fitting to have this street named after Chuck,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., during the ceremony at the corner of 45th and Emile streets, just south of the Durham Research Center. “Although many buildings bear your name, this is the first street in Omaha named after you.”

Standing beneath overcast skies, Dr. Maurer was joined by Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey, Durham and other donors of the Durham Research Center, as well as UNMC and city officials, for the renaming and street sign unveiling.

In addition to the renaming of 45th Street, Durham Research Plaza extends onto Dewey Avenue between 45th and 44th streets, forming an “L” on the UNMC campus.

Durham serves as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Durham Resources. Previously, he served as chairman and CEO of HDR, Inc., an international engineering and architectural firm with work in all 50 states and 20 countries.

“Chuck Durham’s support of UNMC is a thriving pulse,” Mayor Fahey said. “Omaha has certainly been good to Chuck, but Chuck has been equally good to Omaha.”

Chuck Durham with his daughters, from left, Lynne Boyer, Sunny Lundgren and Deb Durham. His dog, Tina, also joined in the festivities. Photo by Tim Fitzgerald.

Signs of the couple’s generous contributions to UNMC are visible on either side of the Durham Research Plaza. In 2003, the 10-level, $77 million Durham Research Center opened. In 1998, the Durhams established the Charles W. and Margre H. Durham Excellence in Medicine fund at UNMC to support research in prostate cancer, arthritis and minimally invasive surgery.

Their support made it possible for UNMC to be the eighth medical center in the country to acquire the computer-assisted da Vinci Surgical System. In recognition of their gift, the Outpatient Care Center was renamed the Durham Outpatient Center. Durham’s gifts also made possible the employee-parking garage, southeast of the intersection of Emile Street and the Durham Research Plaza.

Before unveiling the street sign, Durham paid tribute to Dr. Maurer and what he has done at UNMC. “Behind everything is Hal,” Durham said. “He sweet talked me into my part…the medical center is the greatest asset I can think of in Omaha.”