University, military and elected leaders gathered on Friday (Sept. 4) to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Infectious Disease Air Transport (IDAT) training facility at UNMC. The group also recognized the celebratory launch of UNMC’s new Office for the Advancement of Military Medicine.
“This new facility is the next natural evolution of the partnership between UNMC, the Air Force and other federal partners in preparing and training federal healthcare providers,” Dr. Davies said. “This training – in the safe transportation of personnel exposed to or infected with highly infectious and deadly pathogens – is a vital step in continuing the work to keep our nation safe.”
Guest speakers praised the free-standing, $17.4 million facility, which will extend programs offered by the United States Air Force C-STARS (Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills) Omaha Unit stationed at UNMC, calling it a “monumental resource” and “national asset” for the United States.
The facility will house biocontainment transport modules and an aircraft fuselage designed to provide advanced training for aeromedical, healthcare and response personnel on safe transport and care of patients. Occupancy is expected in early 2028.
The project, Dr. Davies said, enhances UNMC’s burgeoning relationship with the National Guard and 711th Human Performance Wing to strengthen health security. “We are incredibly honored to work closely with our C-STARS partners, particularly Col. Elizabeth Schnaubelt (MD) whose leadership has been pivotal to the success of our training programs. I want to thank our congressional delegation, especially Rep. Don Bacon and Sen. Deb Fischer, whose support was instrumental in making this a reality.”
During her remarks, Sen. Fischer said the IDAT facility “cements Nebraska as a leader in national defense.”
Rep. Bacon agreed, saying: “This is the gold standard for partnerships with the federal government and our military.”
Lt. Gen. John J. DeGoes, MD, surgeon general and commander, medical command with the U.S. Air Force, echoed those comments: “This day would not have been possible without the visionary leadership and longstanding support from the state of Nebraska…This is a national asset …and hub for national and international biodefense and high consequence infectious disease capabilities.”
Dr. DeGoes was among several high-ranking active and retired military personnel in attendance. They included Brig. General Tracy Michael from the Office of the Army Surgeon General; Col. Dale Harrell, commander of the 711th Human Performance Wing; retired Lt. Gen. James Roudebush, MD, a UNMC alumnus who previously served as the Air Force Surgeon General; and retired Gen. Anthony Cotton, former commander of U.S. Strategic Command.
The project will be funded by Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending projects funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration and Department of Defense funding sources.
The ceremony also recognized UNMC’s new Office for the Advancement of Military Medicine (OAMM), which coordinates support to programs and initiatives advancing military medical capabilities, preparing for strategic health threats and strengthening civilian-military integration.
“OAMM was established to bring UNMC’s world-class expertise to bear supporting the Department of War’s mission, its service members and their families,” said OAMM’s inaugural director, Col. Lee Williames (USAF, Ret.), MD. “OAMM will build on the decades of research, training and educational activities UNMC has contributed to ensure that existing programs flourish, while expanding engagement across the enterprise. Our partnership with the C-STARS Omaha team is a premier example of what is possible, and it’s an honor to enable their work.”
Both IDAT and the OAMM “represent the culmination of several years of incredible work together with our military, university and elected officials, setting the stage to support critically important collaborative programs in a one-of-a-kind facility,” said Chris Kratochvil, MD, vice chancellor for external relations at UNMC, senior advisor for the OAMM and vice president for external relations for the University of Nebraska System.
Moments before dignitaries used gold shovels to turn ceremonial dirt, NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, acknowledged the “historic day” and public-private partnership project, adding: “This will be a phenomenal facility….the time is right, the place is here and the people are here.”