History & Mission

The University of Nebraska Medical Center builds on a rich, vibrant history that dates back to the end of the 19th century. UNMC continues to be committed to its mission to improve the health of Nebraskans and beyond.

From the state’s first medical college in 1880 to a dental college (1903), pharmacy college (1908), nursing college (1917), allied health training programs (early 1930s) and the Graduate College (1942), UNMC not only expanded to meet the needs of future health professionals but also consolidated several of its colleges into an Omaha campus destined to sustain its growth.

Expansion includes College of Nursing brick-and-mortar sites in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff and Norfolk, Nebraska. They were built to advance nursing care and address predicted critical shortages of nurses and nursing faculty.

In 2006, UNMC formed its newest college: The College of Public Health. Its state-of-the-art building -- named the Harold M. and Beverly Maurer Center for Public Health -- opened in 2011.

Other major building projects over the past 15 years include:

  • The Lied Transplant Center, which opened in 1999, combines the latest in transplant patient care with innovative research areas;
  • Twin research towers - the 10-level Durham Research Center, dedicated in 2003, and the Durham Research Center II, which opened in 2009;
  • The Michael F. Sorrell Center for Health Science Education, which opened in 2008, is the home of the UNMC College of Medicine;
  • The Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation, a not-for-profit center designed to assist adults and children, opened in 2008;
  • The Home Instead Center for Successful Aging – which combines geriatric care and a community-style center – opened in 2010;
  • The Center for Nursing Science expansion to the UNMC College of Nursing Omaha campus opened in 2010; and
  • A student plaza – complete with an ice rink and campus art (“Hope” tower) feature – was dedicated in 2011.

These projects were built with generous gifts from philanthropists, alumni and faculty.

UNMC Mission

The mission of the University of Nebraska Medical Center is to improve the health of Nebraska through premier educational programs, innovative research, the highest quality patient care, and outreach to underserved populations.