UNMC has been designated as a WHO Collaborating Center for the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), placing UNMC among a select group of institutions helping shape the world’s response to emerging health threats. The university’s designation as a WHO Collaborating Center is the only one in Nebraska.
UNMC has been a longtime supporter of GOARN, a network of more than 360 global institutions and networks. Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH, dean of the UNMC College of Public Health, has served on the GOARN Steering Committee since UNMC joined in 2014.
This is a prestigious distinction awarded to institutions with specialized expertise and a commitment to global impact. Lauren Sauer, PhD, and Jocelyn Herstein, PhD, both faculty members of UNMC’s College of Public Health who also serve within the UNMC Center for Global Health Security, will serve as the founding directors of the Collaborating Center.
“This designation underscores the value of long-term collaboration in global health, bringing together complementary expertise to improve outcomes in outbreak response worldwide,” said Dr. Abdi Mahamud, director, Health Emergency Alert & Response Operations, World Health Organization.
The WHO Collaborating Center will position UNMC to further strengthen its support to GOARN and work closely with the GOARN operational support team on delivering capacity strengthening activities focused on outbreak response, while expanding engagement with regional and global partners. It also will continue its leadership role in GOARN Research, of which Dr. Sauer leads, and advancing the evaluation of GOARN activities.
The appointment is a significant global recognition of UNMC’s expertise in emergency preparedness, outbreak response and public health leadership.
“This WHO Collaborating Center designation confirms UNMC’s role as a global leader in health security,” Dean Khan said. “We are not just participating in the global health conversation — we are helping lead it.”
UNMC leaders said the designation reflects decades of work in infectious disease response, biodefense research, workforce training and international collaboration. Through this role, UNMC will help guide strategies that strengthen preparedness and response systems worldwide.
“Collaboration with institutions like UNMC is central to GOARN’s mission, helping to expand the reach and impact of our collective efforts to prepare for and respond to health emergencies worldwide,” said Armand Bejtullahu, GOARN manager.
WHO Collaborating Centers
A WHO Collaborating Center is an institution designated by the director-general of WHO to form part of an international collaborative network set up by WHO in support of its program at the country, intercountry, regional, interregional and global levels. In line with the WHO policy and strategy of technical cooperation, a WHO Collaborating Center also participates in the strengthening of country resources, in terms of information, services, research and training, in support of national health development.
GOARN
The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), coordinated by the World Health Organization since 2000, strengthens global health security by supporting advance public health emergency preparedness and response to public health emergencies. The network brings together more than 360 institutions, including national public health agencies, technical organizations, and non-governmental partners.