The UNMC College of Allied Health Professions has expanded another program to the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex in Kearney.
UNMC is enrolling its first Kearney classes of students in radiation therapy this academic year.
Radiation therapy joins UNMC allied health, pharmacy and nursing programs on UNMC’s Kearney campus at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The UNMC College of Medicine at Kearney will enroll its first class in 2026.
These efforts build upon UNMC’s commitment to providing opportunities for students across the state and to meeting Nebraska’s rural health care workforce challenges.
Lisa Bartenhagen, director of radiation therapy education and the Charles R. O’Malley Endowed Chair in the UNMC Department of Clinical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences, said: “We’re excited to welcome the first radiation therapy students in Kearney. They will help meet the growing cancer care needs of central Nebraska and the new Nebraska Medicine Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center-Kearney. With more than 80% of the region’s therapists being UNMC alumni, it is great to allow the students to remain in their community while completing the radiation therapy program.”
UNMC’s radiation therapy program is a 12-month program resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree, or a post-baccalaureate professional certificate allowing registered radiographers to advance their careers. Two students in Kearney will complete their educations synchronously along with UNMC’s Omaha class.