UNK-UNMC Officially Opens the Doors to Transformative Healthcare Education Building

Students, staff and faculty stepped into a new era of rural healthcare education on May 14, 2026, during a grand opening celebration for the Health Science Education Complex II on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus. The $95 million facility is the second major University of Nebraska Medical Center building on UNK’s campus and, together with the original Health Science Education Center that opened in 2015, forms the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex.

Designed by RDG Planning & Design, the three-story, approximately 110,000 SF facility expands education and clinical training capacity in central Nebraska. The project is the largest rural health education complex in the country, and represents continued investment by the State of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska system in rural healthcare access and workforce development. It increases enrollment capacity for nursing, pharmacy and allied health programs while introducing advanced simulation labs, flexible classrooms and collaborative student spaces that support interdisciplinary learning.

By expanding access to high-quality training in central Nebraska, HSEC II creates meaningful opportunities for students to pursue health science careers closer to home, a critical step in strengthening care delivery and improving the quality of services statewide. The impact is especially significant in a largely rural state where, according to the university, 66 of Nebraska’s 93 counties are designated as medically underserved areas. Preparing professionals in the communities where they are needed most is essential to closing those gaps and building a more resilient healthcare system.

“This is a tremendous resource for health professions education in central Nebraska,” said Kyle Meyer, PhD, dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Allied Health Professions and associate vice chancellor for health workforce initiatives. “It offers the same learning experiences and resources that we have on our Omaha campus. It’s smaller in scale, but equivalent in terms of quality and experiences.”

RDG’s design responds to the rapidly evolving landscape of health science education. Flexible teaching labs are designed to adapt to emerging technologies and shifting curriculum needs, keeping programs relevant as healthcare continues to evolve. Advanced simulation suites replicate real-world clinical environments, giving students hands-on experience in safe, controlled settings that reflect the complexity of modern patient care.

Equally important, the facility is designed to foster connection. Shared commons, informal study zones and interdisciplinary collaboration spaces bring students from multiple programs together, reinforcing the team-based approach that defines today’s healthcare delivery model. By integrating adaptability, experiential learning and intentional collaboration, HSEC II positions Kearney as a hub for innovative, rural-focused health science education.

“We know that where students learn has a lasting impact on the kind of professionals they become. With HSEC II, we’ve created environments that encourage collaboration, build confidence and reflect the realities of today’s healthcare settings,” said RDG Architect and Managing Principal Nate Gieselman, AIA. “Most importantly, this project helps expand access to elite health science education in Kearney, strengthening Nebraska’s workforce and ultimately supporting the long-term health of communities across the state.”

As part of a phased move-in, students have already been using the Health Science Education Center II, with full occupancy beginning this month. Once enrollment reaches capacity, UNMC’s presence in Kearney will grow to approximately 625 students, nearly doubling its current footprint on campus. 

When fully operational, the Kristensen Complex is projected to support about 240 local jobs and generate an estimated $34.5 million in annual economic impact.