Timeline of key events
The early years
- 1869: Clarkson Hospital founded (oldest medical center in Nebraska).
- 1917: University Hospital founded.
Nebraska Medicine milestones
- 1997: Merger of Clarkson and University hospitals created Nebraska Health System (NHS).
- 1998: Lied Transplant Center opened.
- 2003: NHS changed its name to The Nebraska Medical Center.
- 2005: Hixson-Lied Center and Nebraska Biocontainment Unit opened.
- 2010: Bellevue Medical Center opened.
- 2014: Clinical integration of The Nebraska Medical Center, Bellevue Medical Center and UNMC Physicians under the Nebraska Medicine brand.
- 2016: Nebraska Medicine officially established as a nonprofit corporation.
- 2016: Merged with Internal Medical Associates and became Grand Island Health Center.
- 2017: The $323 million Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center – Nebraska Medical Center opened (largest project in campus and state history).
- 2017: Chalco Health Center, Brentwood Health Center opened.
- 2018: Elkhorn Health Center opened, and new locations were established for Fontenelle Health Center and Old Market Health Center.
- 2020: Dr. Edwin G. and Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center opened.
- 2021: Merged with Heartland Hematology Oncology with the goal of building a new cancer center in Kearney.
- 2021: Millard Health Center opened.
- 2024: The $52 million Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center – Kearney opened.
- 2024: Merged with Premier Family Medicine and became Papillion Health Center.
About Nebraska Medical Center
- Established: 1997 through the merger of Clarkson Hospital (1869) and University Hospital (1917).
- About: State’s largest and highest-rated hospital.
- Features: 718 licensed beds, Level 1 trauma center, all major specialties and services.
- Distinction: Houses one of only four specialized Biocontainment Units in the U.S.
- Teaching role: Serves at the primary teaching hospital for UNMC and Clarkson College.
About Bellevue Medical Center
- Opened: 2010.
- Features: 9 licensed beds, 24-hour emergency care, inpatient and outpatient surgery, intensive care and cardiology, ENT, cancer and orthopaedic services.
- Design: One of the most energy-efficient hospitals in the Midwest, designed to meet LEED certification.
- Recognition: Certified Primary Stroke Center and certified Chest Pain Center.
- Community impact: Inducted into the Sarpy County Business Hall of Fame (2017).
Building the future
Nebraska Medicine and UNMC are developing a comprehensive master facilities plan, including:
- Project Health: A 10-year inpatient facility renewal project.
- New models of patient care and education facilities.
- Enhanced support for clinical research.
- Expansion of regional services (including the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center – Kearney, which opened in 2024).