Three Nebraska VA medical facilities (Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island) integrated in November 1999 to become the newly formed, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. Each of the three divisions provide a unique array of health care services.

The Omaha Division is an acute, highly affiliated, tertiary care facility. The Omaha facility provides inpatient, medical, surgical and psychiatric care in addition to its ambulatory care services; the Omaha Division is also home to major clinical research programs. The Grand Island Division focuses on ambulatory and extended care, including geriatric and rehabilitation services. The Lincoln Division focuses on ambulatory care services.

AFFILIATIONS

• University of Nebraska Medical Center:  College of Medicine, along with allied health programs in Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, Physician Assistant, Dietetics, Nurse Practitioner
• Creighton University:  Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Allied Health, Occupational Therapy Nursing

AUTHORIZED BEDS

• Omaha Division - 100 acute care beds, 8 residential substance abuse beds
• Grand Island Division - 76 community living center beds, 18 residential substance abuse beds

TYPE OF FACILITY

Medical Center

RESEARCH PROGRAM

During Fiscal Year 2008, VA NWIHCS, Omaha’s Research Service had 128 active projects including 12 funded Merit Review programs, two Rehabilitation Research and Development programs, five Cooperative Studies programs, two Clinical Science Studies and four Research Career Scientists. A total of 95 investigators were involved in the protocols.

 

Ongoing research projects include studies in liver and pulmonary diseases, reproductive endocrinology, immunology, cancer, gastroenterology, endocrine and diabetes, orthopedics, dental prosthetics, mental health including substance abuse, airway inflammation, infectious disease, rheumatoid arthritis, orthopedic rehabilitation, surgical wound healing, anesthesiology, vascular disease and alcohol-related diseases.

 

The Research Service also has affiliations with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Creighton University and the University of Nebraska. The total research funding for fiscal year 2007 from VA, National Institute for Health (NIH), and industry sources was almost $5.8 million. VA NWIHCS, Omaha’s Research Service has a not-for-profit research corporation, Nebraska Educational Biomedical Research Association (NEBRA). NEBRA allows VA and non-VA investigators to place research monies donated by private individuals, groups and corporations into an interest-bearing account for use in medical research. NEBRA funds, available to support VA NWIHCS, Omaha’s Research, are approximately $1.2 million. Seventeen principal investigators have active protocols in the association.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

• Regional Audiology Center
• Interactive Videoconferencing System
• Alzheimer and Stroke Support Groups
• Sleep Lab
• Substance Abuse Treatment Program
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) outpatient program
• Bariatric Surgery Program
   

DOD CONTINGENCY PLAN

VA NWIHCS, Omaha serves as a Primary Receiving Center (PRC) for casualties in the event the VA/Department of Defense (DoD) Contingency Plan is activated at the national level during times of armed conflict or national emergency. As the PRC, VA NWIHCS, Omaha will maintain operational readiness to receive and coordinate the placement of military casualties and patients regulated by DoD’s Global Patient Movement and Requirements Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. This plan precedes the activation of the National Disaster Medical System plan that would provide the support of area community hospitals, if needed. Upon mobilization of the 55th Medical Group at Offutt Air Force Base, VA NWIHCS would assume the duties of Offutt Installation Support Center for the care of the active duty military personnel in concert with the Armed Services Medical Regulation Office (ASMRO).