University of Nebraska Medical Center chosen by CDC for national role

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Omaha's University of Nebraska Medical Center is receiving national attention.

In a release sent Wednesday, UNMC said that they have been named by the Centers for Disease Control as one of ten "Regional Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response" across the U.S.

For the next five years, they will not only manage the center for Nebraska, but also for Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

The release says that through this project, UNMC will enhance their abilities in public health and emergency preparedness and response - especially in extreme weather.

"The center also will work to address concerns around public health workforce development, workforce resiliency and improving community trust in public health," said Rachel Lookadoo, JD, Assistant Professor at UNMC.

UNMC will collaborate with the University of Iowa, along with other health departments in the region, as well as rural and tribal partners.

They were chosen for the role alongside Harvard University, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University, among others.