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
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 duringtimes of armed conflict or national emergency. As the PRC, VANWIHCS, Omaha will maintain operational readiness to receiveand coordinate the placement of military casualties and patientsregulated by DoD’s Global Patient Movement and RequirementsCenter at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.This plan precedes the activation of the National DisasterMedical System plan that would provide the support of areacommunity hospitals, if needed. Upon mobilization of the 55thMedical Group at Offutt Air Force Base, VA NWIHCS wouldassume the duties of Offutt Installation Support Center for thecare of the active duty military personnel in concert with theArmed Services Medical Regulation Office (ASMRO).
COMMUNITY BASED OUTPATIENT CLINICS
The following Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) come under this facility:
Lincoln Community Based Outpatient Clinic 600 South 70th. Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68510 Phone: (402) 489-3802
Grand Island Community Living Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinic 2201 North Broadwell Avenue Grand Island, NE 68803 Phone: (308)-382-3660 Toll free: 1-866-580-1810
Bellevue Community Based Outpatient Clinic 2501 Capehart Drive Bellevue, NE 68113 (402) 591-4500 Toll free (call 1-800-451-5796 and ask to be transferred to the Bellevue CBOC)
Holdrege Community Based Outpatient Clinic 1118 Burlington Street Holdrege, Nebraska 68949 Phone: (308) 995-3760 or (866) 580-1810
Norfolk Community Based Outpatient Clinic 710 S. 13th Street, Suite 1200 Norfolk, Nebraska 68701 Phone: (402) 370-4570
North Platte Community Based Outpatient Clinic 600 East Francis, Suite 3 North Platte, NE 69101 Phone: (308) 532-6906 Toll free: 1-866-580-1810 (dial 0)
Shenandoah Community Based Outpatient Clinic 512 S. Fremont St. Shenandoah IA 51601 Phone: (712) 246-0092 Toll free (call 1-800-451-5796 and ask to be transferred to the Shenandoah CBOC)
Veterans Health Administration
> VISN 23: VA Midwest Health Care Network
> Omaha - VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System
