HHE Volunteers--
Planning and designing funds for the Vet Diagnostic Center are crucial for the Lincoln campus and our ability to have this important state facility maintain its accreditation. While the Center is vital to our agriculture industry, it also has an impact on human health issues. I have attached another document that is a comprehensive overview of the need to plan, design and construct a new Vet Diagnostic Center. The appropriation in this request is only for the planning and design phase of the project.
Michelle Waite
Assistant to the Chancellor For Community Relations
201 Canfield Administration Building
Lincoln, NE 68588-0419
402-472-2116
February 2, 2012
Dear University Supporter,
Recently I wrote to you about the University of Nebraska’s legislative initiative for this session, called “
Building a Healthier Nebraska.” As you recall, this initiative seeks state support for four capital projects that would expand the University’s capacity in nursing and allied health education, cancer care and research, and veterinary diagnostics.
The Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee has scheduled hearings for the Building a Healthier Nebraska legislation for this
Thursday, Feb. 2, beginning at 1:30 p.m. I’m writing today to encourage you to contact senators on the Appropriations Committee (listed below) now to voice your support for these exciting projects.
I think it’s important to reiterate to senators that the Building a Healthier Nebraska initiative has the potential to significantly improve health care, drive workforce development, and create new opportunities for students across Nebraska. We believe our proposal aligns well with the state’s priorities of education and job creation and that it would be a strategic investment in Nebraska’s future. Certainly ours is a significant request, but we think an initiative of the scale we are proposing requires participation by many – and support from the state will be key. This would not be unlike the state’s investment in Nebraska Innovation Campus last year, which already has been leveraged many times over with private-sector support.
As a reminder, the four Building a Healthier Nebraska components and their corresponding legislation are:
- A new University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing facility in Lincoln (LB 1065, sponsored by Sen. Tony Fulton), which would allow us to expand enrollment to better address the state’s nursing shortage, expected to reach 3,800 by 2020.
- A cancer research tower at UNMC (LB 1089, sponsored by Sen. John Nelson). The research tower -- along with other projects planned at UNMC -- would position UNMC to earn Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, which would greatly increase our regional and national reputation. We estimate that the cancer center project would create 1,200 high-quality jobs for Nebraska.
- A building addition at the University of Nebraska at Kearney to allow for expansion of UNMC's Kearney nursing division and establishment of a new UNK-based UNMC allied health professions program (LB 1055, sponsored by Sen. Galen Hadley). There is a significant demand for more nurses and allied health workers in rural Nebraska, and expanding educational opportunities at Kearney is key to meeting this need.
- Planning money for a new Veterinary Diagnostic Center at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LB 1066, sponsored by Sen. Tom Hansen). We must demonstrate progress in addressing deficiencies at the current center in order to avoid losing accreditation and continue to effectively serve Nebraska’s livestock industry.
I want to thank you in advance for contacting Appropriations Committee members in support of this important legislative package. As the session goes along, I will continue to update you on the status of our proposal and to ask you for your help in communicating with legislators. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
Thank you for your continued support of the University of Nebraska.
Ron Withem
Director of Governmental Relations, University of Nebraska
3835 Holdrege Street
Lincoln, NE 68583-0745
rwithem@nebraska.edu Appropriations Committee Members
Senator Danielle Conrad
District 46 471-2720
Senator Tony Fulton
District 29 471-2734
Senator Thomas Hansen
District 42 471-2729
Senator John Harms
District 48 471-2802
Senator Lavon Heidemann
District 1 471-2733
Senator Heath Mello
District 5 471-2710
Senator John Nelson
District 6 471-2714
Senator Jeremy Nordquist
District 7 471-2721
Senator John Wightman
District 36 471-2642
Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center - Questions and AnswersWhy is a new Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center important to me? I don’t even own a cat, let alone a cow.When we say Veterinary Diagnostic Center, people automatically think animals. However, the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is also critical to human health.
Is a Veterinary Diagnostic Center critical to human health? How? The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center collaborates with Nebraska Public Health Laboratories. Services provided at the Veterinary Diagnostic Center help safeguard Nebraska’s health, a vital public service. The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center has diagnostic capabilities for infectious, metabolic, toxicological, and genetic diseases that directly affect both human and animal health.
Is that human health factor just something that occurs in Nebraska?The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center’s safeguarding of statewide public health is also part of a larger, nationwide public service. Each month, the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center reports identification of designated diseases to the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services, which in turn, report that information to federal agencies.
In this way, the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center is part of the backbone of the U.S. disease surveillance system. Early detection of disease protects both people and animals.
I live in the city. Why would a Veterinary Diagnostic Center be important to me?In addition to the public health factors noted in other questions in this Q&A, the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center plays an equally critical role in preserving the health of Nebraska’s economy by helping to safeguard the health of Nebraska’s livestock industry, as well as the health of companion animals in Nebraska.
Agriculture is Nebraska’s leading industry. Animal agriculture products accounted for 46.2 percent of this industry. In 2010, the value of animal agriculture products in Nebraska was $8.4 billion dollars.
Given a strong agricultural sector’s impact in buoying the Nebraska economy through the recent national recession and slow recovery, a new Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center building is a wise investment in support of Nebraska’s leading industry and future. Given the size of Nebraska’s livestock industry, even a one percent disease-induced profit reduction would be $84 million, which is $34 million more than the expected cost of a new Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center.
Why is this center important to Nebraska and its economy?Nationally, Nebraska ranks 1st in commercial red meat production and commercial cattle slaughter; 2nd in all cattle on feed as of Jan. 1, 2011; 3rd in all cattle and calves as of Jan. 1, 2011 (6,200,000 head); 4th in cash receipts from all livestock and products; 5th in calf crop in 2010; 6th in all hogs and pigs on farms; 7th in commercial hog slaughter in 2010; 9th in table eggs; and 14th in number of chickens.
With Nebraska a leader in production-animal agriculture, there is a need for strong surveillance of both foreign and domestic diseases in Nebraska’s animal herds. This is a way to safeguard Nebraska’s and the U.S.’s agricultural economy and health.
What does the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center do?The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center is continuously at work for Nebraska in six key ways:
- providing accurate and timely diagnostic services 365 days a year
- improving animal and public health through disease surveillance
- developing new diagnostic testing methods
- supporting food safety (E. coli 0157:H7 and infectious disease research
- training Nebraska veterinary students, and
- supporting continuing education programs for Nebraska veterinarians and livestock producers.
Is there enough business for a Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center to make a new building feasible?Yes.
In 2010, the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center served over 9,415 clients from 43 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada which speaks to the quality and reputation of the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center as clients from outside as well as inside Nebraska seek services here.
The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center annually processes about 13,000 cases for production-animal and companion-animal clients from all states. Approximately 230,000 individual diagnostic tests in relation to those 13,000 cases were completed and reported in 2010.
What has the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center done that others haven’t?The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center was instrumental in developing the “ear notch test” procedure for detecting BVD (bovine virus diarrhea) virus in cattle. When ten highly respected beef and dairy veterinarians/researchers were asked what they considered were the ten most important cattle health achievements of the last two decades, they ranked the “ear notch test” number one. Called a “ground-breaking leap forward in diagnostics,” the test changed the diagnostic landscape of an economically devastating disease. Because of this test, today with a high degree of certainty, an individual bovine can be tested and kept out of a herd, if tested positive.
Working with Nebraska commercial biological manufacturing companies, the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center also has developed vaccines and diagnostic testing procedures for pseudorabies, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome in hogs, and rota and corona viruses in cattle, all of which have potentially devastating effects on a herd. Committed to providing accurate, prompt responses to requests for assistance, the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center works to maintain accreditation through the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians to assure accuracy in testing. Standards set by the AAVLD are outlined as minimum essential requirements. These AAVLD standards meet or exceed those required by the international community. The International Organization for Animal Health sets the standards and serves as the reference organization for the World Trade Organization.
Does the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center have a role for companion animals, or is it just for livestock?The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center is involved in companion-animal diagnostics, too. There are 868 discovered zoonotic pathogens – “zoonotic” meaning they can be transmitted between humans and animals. (Another 175 pathogenic species associated with disease are considered to be “evolving.”) While production-animal diseases are more likely to be reported in dollar value of the animal affected, with companion animals, the value is related to emotional attachment and well-being. The Veterinary Diagnostic Center definitely has a role for all animals.
What about Nebraska wildlife? Does this center have any role here?The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center is essential to caring for Nebraska’s wildlife population. Working with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center detected Chronic Wasting Disease in Nebraska deer and captive elk herds in 2000, and continues to closely monitor the spread of this disease in western Nebraska.
So why a new building? What’s wrong with the current one?The current Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center building was completed in 1975. In the intervening 36 years, Nebraska and our nation have become much more aware of the importance of having sound biosecurity systems in place. The building that met established standards in 1975 today fails to meet current standards of the accrediting American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. Standards have changed as knowledge has increased and technology has changed.
Diagnostic methods and instrumentation also have increased in the past 36 years. The good news is that this has greatly increased the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center’s diagnostic capabilities, and the accuracy and speed with which test results are obtained. The bad news is that additional instrumentation often requires more space, and at present, no space is available, limiting future growth.
Efforts were made to see if the current building could be updated to meet the needs outlined by the AAVLD accrediting organization. After a thorough study, the consultant hired to assess the current structure recommended a new building as the most cost-effective way to meet outlined and future needs. He recommended keeping the current building open while a new facility is built on a move-in, five-year plan.
I hear there’s something about a new building needed for laboratory accreditation. What’s that?The American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians could place the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center on provisional accreditation with the expectation that a new facility will be built in the next five years. The accrediting organization, which made a site visit in late October, 2011, speaks highly of the operation of the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, its turnaround time, adherence to standard operating procedures, and dedication of the staff, but says good faith efforts on improving facilities are needed to retain the laboratory’s accreditation.
Why is this accreditation important? I think a lot of labs aren’t accredited, so what does it matter?The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center is accredited for a number of reasons. Many private-sector laboratories are not. By their nature, private-sector laboratories only provide service on items that generate a profit. Because of the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center’s role in public health and research, the center has a wider role for the public good, with responsibilities to safeguard public health and Nebraska’s livestock and companion-animal industries.
Because the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center is an accredited laboratory, it employs a quality assurance manager to monitor testing procedures to guarantee accuracy. Services are provided at reduced cost to ensure the center maintains its capacity to diagnose certain highly infectious, but likely low volume, diseases to protect both people’s and animals’ health.
Where does the money come from that supports this center each year?The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center receives both state funds and self-generated revenue for its operation. In fiscal year 2010/11, the lab received $1,553,315 in state-appropriated dollars, and $1,180,311 in self-generated funding.
State-appropriated dollars support faculty and key technical staff salaries. Self-generated revenues are spent on additional staff salaries, supplies, equipment purchases, and repairs.
What does the desire to increase national and international trade for Nebraska have to do with a veterinary diagnostic center?Regulatory testing for animal exports is done at the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center and is in compliance with federal regulations. Technicians performing the tests have been tested annually by the USDA through the National Veterinary Services Laboratories check-testing program.
Disease surveillance is absolutely critical as Nebraska and the U.S. maintain and establish new international trade agreements. Disease surveillance also provides important information for veterinarians and livestock owners. Nebraska/U.S. trading partners require information regarding the disease status of animals for certain diseases which the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center provides. In this way, the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center is a critical part of the nation’s research and animal health system.
Does Nebraska having an accredited Veterinary Diagnostic Center have any significance outside the state’s boundaries?Because of its importance as a leading livestock -producing state, Nebraska has a prominent and expected role in surveillance to protect the nation’s livestock industry and public health. When it comes to disease protection, all states must do their part in carrying out their responsibilities to their own state and to their neighboring states.
Someone said the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center is an “early line of defense” in dealing with new diseases and working with those on the front lines in fighting something new. How is that?
Discovery and understanding of new, emerging pathogens are the first steps in developing preventive measures, such as vaccines. The Nebraska Diagnostic Center is key to such work for Nebraska and the nation.
On a daily basis, Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center faculty consult with state and federal regulatory officials, veterinarians, and livestock owners on laboratory findings and test results. This is a highly important educational role. Faculty also play a significant role in educating Nebraska veterinary students.
Early disease detection protects Nebraska’s $8.4 billion livestock industry.
Is this building a good investment? Yes.
Not only does a new building help retain Nebraska’s accreditation as a diagnostic laboratory which is important to the state for regulatory diagnostic testing for export sales; obtaining federal grants and contracts; inspiring consumer, state, and federal confidence; and remaining competitive with other diagnostic laboratories; it helps recruit and retain the high-quality faculty and staff Nebraskans expect and need. It will meet the new building requirements the old building can no longer meet in either space or accreditation requisites.
Simply stated, a new, much-needed Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center is a wise state investment in the same way that a new, much-needed roof is a wise investment for a homeowner who wishes to save both the interior of his or her home from water damage, and preserve the home’s resale value, or the way a new school is a community and state investment in public good, for both now and the future.
As we look at bringing new businesses into Nebraska based on renewable energy, people, food, water, and other natural resources, it is important that Nebraska shows its commitment to supporting the agricultural industry in the state, an industry in which livestock accounts for 46 percent of the annual billions of dollars that agriculture contributes to the state economy.
What is the mission of the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center?It is the mission of the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center to “assist veterinarians, their clients, and others responsible for animal health in the detection, prevention, and understanding of disease. The faculty and staff approach this task by providing accessible, accountable, timely, and accurate diagnostic and research services, by sharing information generated through scholarly publications, meeting presentations, direct communication, and through supporting animal health education programs.”