UNO Emergency Management Students Discover the Global Health Security Center at UNMC
Thanks to instructor Reyna Reyes-Nunez, UNO EMDS students experienced a first hand look at a world-class health safety and emergencies facility.
OMAHA, NEBRASKA -
UNO Emergency Management Students Visit World-Class Global Health Security Facility
Students from UNO’s Emergency Management (EMGT 1000) course this spring had an eye-opening visit to the Global Health Security Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)—a facility recognized worldwide for its excellence in infectious disease training, research, and patient care.
Opened shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, the center was put to the test immediately and has since become one of only a handful of facilities globally equipped to manage the full spectrum of health security challenges. It serves as a national hub, training professionals from across the country using advanced, real-world simulation environments. These include specialized sets replicating outdoor scenarios, residential spaces, ambulance environments, and military field conditions.
During the visit, students toured the quarantine unit where the first Americans suspected of COVID-19 were housed after being evacuated from a cruise ship.
“The students were amazed by the scale and complexity of operations,” said instructor Reyna Reyes-Nunez, who accompanied them. “It’s one thing to learn about emergency management in the classroom, but witnessing it in action at a world-class facility like this is truly inspiring.”
They also observed simulation featuring soldiers in full personal protective equipment (PPE), the portable isolation system, and explored emergency management protocols in house settings, and in outdoor tent training sites. The visit highlighted the crucial role of cutting-edge technology and planning in health security efforts.
“We are fortunate to have a world-class facility like this in Omaha, right within the NU system,” Reyes-Nunez added. “The experience will shape future class discussions, projects, and hopefully inspire future careers in health emergency preparedness.”
An EMDS student experiences a 3D simulation of a surgery at UNMC's Global Health Security Center, spring semester 2025.
