Kearney Expansion
UNMC now educates physicians, pharmacists, nurses, allied health and public health professionals in rural Nebraska.
As part of this plan to increase the rural health care workforce, the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex also offers professional development, training and continuing education opportunities for existing health care workers and support research that improves the lives of Nebraskans.
Pharmacy and expanded Nursing and Allied Health Professions programs began in fall 2025, with the first cohort of medical students in fall 2026. At full implementation, total enrollment in UNMC's programs on the Kearney campus will be more than 600 learners, a 75% increase in UNMC's Kearney enrollment.
The Need
Nebraska’s rural communities face an increasingly severe crisis in maintaining access to health care for their residents.
14
of Nebraska’s 93 counties do not have a primary care physician.
20%
of practicing physicians plan to retire within the next 10 years.
32
of Nebraska's 93 counties have no mental health providers.
Cutting-Edge Space for Transformative Training
A public-private partnership, the $95 million Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex received support from numerous sources, including $60 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds – approved by the Nebraska Legislature and signed by former Gov. Pete Ricketts – for capital construction and iEXCEL technology startup costs, plus sustainable operational funds to support faculty and staff.
