Global Center for Health Security

- Our Expertise Overview
- Why Nebraska?
  Nebraska’s difference is an all-star, all-volunteer team that dedicated itself to being ready for any biocontainment crisis at any time.
- Leadership
  The Global Center is led by experts in biopreparedness and high-consequence infections research, education and clinical care.
- Scholars
  Our scholars are leading advancements in global health security.
- Affiliates
  Our affiliates are innovative experts collaborating to advance global health security.
- C-STARS
  C-STARS, the Center for Sustainment of Trauma Readiness Skills- Omaha is a collaboration between UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, and the Air Force Research Laboratory’s School of Aerospace Medicine. C-STARS Omaha works closely with UNMC’s Global Center for Health Security, iEXCEL, and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit to take advantage of the medical center’s capabilities and expertise in biopreparedness training and research.
- Our Team
  Our team consists of a variety of professionals providing support and project management to further the Global Center for Health Security’s mission.
- Domains Overview
- Clinical
  The Global Center for Health Security is the premier U.S. institution for management of high-consequence infections. Further, our clinical capabilities include biological, chemical, burn, and radiation domains.
- Education & Training
  Our expertise is now sought worldwide and officially sanctioned by the U.S. government. The GCHS is the home base to the national Training, Simulation, and Quarantine Center and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit.
- Research
  The GCHS has laser-focused existing work by our leading scientists in fields like chemical weapons, drug discovery and public health.
- Innovation & External Partnerships
  The GCHS has partnered with many academic groups at UNMC and external partners to tackle the most pressing problems in emerging infectious diseases.
Programs
- Health Emergencies Overview
- Outbreaks to Watch
  Find information about emerging pathogens, diseases and outbreaks from around the world. Stay updated on the most recent information on worldwide global health and emerging pathogens outbreaks.
- COVID-19 Updates & Resources
  View recordings of Dr. James Lawler's presentations on data, developments and updates from local to international levels and access COVID-19 news, resources, and playbooks.
- Marburg virus disease
  The WHO announced that on February 13, 2023, Equatorial Guinea confirmed its first-ever outbreak of Marburg virus disease. The GCHS is currently monitoring this outbreak. Stay informed by visiting our resources.
- Avian Flu- HPAI H5N1
  Learn more about the current worldwide outbreak of the HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu.
- MPox Resources
  The Global Center for Health Security is currently monitoring the spread of Mpox. Learn more by viewing our resources.
- Ebola- Sudan Virus
  The Ebola -Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) outbreak in Uganda was confirmed by health authorities on September 20, 2022. Learn more.
The Transmission

— Global Center for Health Security — About Us — Our Team — Tess McKinney

Tess McKinney, AAS

Instructional Technologist II

Tess McKinney, AAS

Tess McKinney has 18 years of experience in information technology with seven years of experience in immersive technologies. Since joining UNMC in 2018, she has implemented many different technologies. Tess’s role as an instructional technologist for Global Center for Health Security provides support to virtual, augmented, and extended reality in education. Her work is dedicated to supporting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Project Firstline grant by developing tools to advance infection prevention and control programs in small, rural healthcare facilities (such as extended reality, online self-assessment tools, and an artificial intelligence platform for real-time consultation). Tess provides advanced coordination and technical support for immersive education systems, remote consultation services, as well as creating mixed reality modules for distance education.

Tess will be part of a team honored at the 2023 UNMC Research Innovation Awards on November 2, 2023 for the teams' outstanding invention, the ConsultCast. Since 2018, she has served as the co-chair of the UNMC NeVRNER group. This role has allowed her to immerse herself in the world of virtual and augmented reality, driving innovation and collaboration both within UNMC and beyond. In addition to this, she has served as the co-chair of the VRARA Healthcare Committee since 2021.

Tess earned an associate of applied science degree in information technology and has continued her education with classes in developing immersive technologies and instructional design.