University of Nebraska at Kearney Constructs Rural Health Education Building

The University of Nebraska is constructing the $95 million Kristensen Rural Health Education Building on its Kearney campus. Created in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the 114,000-gsf facility will accommodate programs in medicine, nursing, and allied health, as well as offering professional development, training, and continuing education opportunities. Addressing a pressing need for more healthcare providers in underserved areas, the 95,000-asf structure will house technology-enabled classrooms, teaching labs, simulation suites, and immersive learning environments, as well as space for research, clinical care, and community outreach.

RDG Planning & Design is the architect for the three-story building with MCL Construction as general contractor and Alvine Engineering as MEP engineer. Ground was broken in September of 2023 with occupancy expected in early 2026. Supported by $60 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, the public-private project includes the targeted renovation of an adjacent facility to establish the Douglas A. Kristensen Health Sciences Education Complex.