With the turn of a shovel, Boys Town ushered in a bold new chapter for Boys Town National Research Hospital.
“The expansion builds on a legacy that began more than 100 years ago with our founder, Father Edward J. Flanagan,” said Rod Kempkes, President and CEO of Boys Town. “He knew that healthcare was vital to the lives of those he served. Ultimately, this mission led to the creation of the Boys Town National Research Hospital, which not only continued his efforts, but reinforced the importance of research. It has been at the core of Boys Town programs since day one.”
This 254,000-square-foot project will meet an urgent and growing need at Boys Town Hospital for additional patient beds, more surgical suites, and expanded research space. The goal is to create a future where every child has access to life-changing care, driven by groundbreaking research.
Life-Changing Care
“Families come to Boys Town to get answers and the most advanced care for their children,” said Jason Bruce, M.D., Executive Vice President of Healthcare and Director of Boys Town Hospital. “This transformation of our health and research facilities will allow us to continue delivering innovative research and treatments for pediatric patients here and around the world.”
Boys Town Hospital is already home to Nebraska’s first Level 4 pediatric epilepsy center, one of the country’s most advanced pediatric rehabilitation facilities, and the most comprehensive mental health continuum in the Midwest.
“This expansion will strengthen our ability to deliver cutting-edge medical care and research for some of the most medically complex patients — children with hearing and communication disorders, epilepsy, Down syndrome, autism and so many other conditions,” said Dr. Bruce.
Driven by Research
A unique aspect of the project’s design is how it brings researchers and clinicians together, working side by side in clinics and labs. At Boys Town, clinical specialties are directly aligned with research areas, making it possible to:
• Research the neurological sources of addiction, anxiety and depression in teens
• Formulate new and cost-effective genetic tests that offer life-saving results for children worldwide
• Conduct clinical trials for childhood illnesses right here in Omaha
During the groundbreaking on November 12, Boys Town announced that The Ryan Foundation is contributing a transformational gift toward the creation of the Dr. Wayne L. Ryan Clinic and Research Center. This state-of-the-art facility will be dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and improving the lives of children for generations to come.
A visionary in his field, Dr. Ryan founded Omaha’s Streck Laboratories and was a lifelong champion of scientific discovery until his passing in 2017 at age 90.
“Always an innovator and researcher at heart, I think that Dr. Ryan would be excited about how the groundbreaking work done here will influence clinicians across the globe,” said Dr. Bruce.
The Next Chapter
The impact of this expansion reaches far beyond bricks and mortar. It represents a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the future of pediatric care.
“This will allow us to expand our world-class specialty services, enhance the patient and family experience, and ensure that every child receives the most advanced, compassionate and personalized care possible,” said Kempkes. “As we move forward, our mission remains clear: to heal children and families in mind, body and spirit.”
