UNMC receives $8 million in stimulus funds to renovate cancer institute

UNMC has received $8 million in stimulus funding for major renovation of the Eppley Cancer Institute building.

The grant is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Research Resources under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grant brings the total UNMC stimulus funds to $20.2 million.

UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., said he is grateful to Congress for providing the stimulus funds for vital projects.

Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., left, and U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson talk Friday during the senator’s visit to UNMC, where he announced that the medical center would receive $8 million in federal stimulus funds to renovate the Eppley Cancer Institute.

“In striving to achieve world-class status, UNMC needs nothing less than state-of-the-art laboratories for its scientists,” Dr. Maurer said. “The renovations that will take place in the Eppley Institute are evidence that UNMC is committed to giving its scientists the facilities needed to conduct their life-saving work.”

The project — which is scheduled to finish in 2012 — will replace deteriorating systems and space in the nearly 50-year old building.

The renovation will substantially improve practically every facet of the building and transform the environment, said Ken Cowan, M.D,. Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.

“Ultimately, cancer research will be enhanced and expanded, which will benefit patients,” he said.

More about the project About $2.7 million from a state legislative bill to renovate older buildings will supplement the renovation, which will be completed by the Lincoln architectural firm of Clark Enersen Partners.

Dr. Cowan and Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research, praised U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson for his help in securing the funds and the NIH for their approval of the project.

“This is an excellent example of the positive impact of the stimulus package, and we are grateful for the continuing, outstanding support of Sen. Nelson and his staff,” said Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research.

The renovation of the cancer center is perfect alignment with the spirit of the stimulus funds, Nelson said.

“UNMC is a source of pride for Nebraskans,” he said, noting UNMC’s status as a premier research and education institution and economic driver for the state. “The use of federal stimulus dollars here will pay off for many years to come.”