The Olson Center for Women's Health is more than an OB-GYN clinic -- we are a multi-faceted, comprehensive health center designed around a woman's needs. Our goal is to promote wellness, education, research and exceptional clinical care in a comforting environment. With a team of top health care providers, we offer a wide range of services, programs and events to support your health at every stage of your life.
Comprehensive OB-GYN and Women's Health services
We combine clinical excellence with a commitment to women’s overall well-being. Our health services include:
- Pregnancy and birth: Expert prenatal care, labor and delivery support and postnatal care to ensure the best outcomes for both mother and baby.
- Specialized OB-GYN services: Our team – featuring nurse midwives, OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialists – provides personalized care, from routine examinations to advanced clinical interventions.
- Screening and diagnostics: Our Women's Imaging Center includes a team of four radiologists and ten radiology technologists.
- Support services: We offer dedicated support through social work, nutrition counseling, lactation support, reproductive psychiatry and more.
Our mission, vision and guiding principles
Mission
Our mission is to provide a national, comprehensive health science center and make distinctive strides in education, research, and service through innovative approaches to women's health issues.
Vision
Our vision is to deliver premier comprehensive women's outpatient health services in an environment created to meet the unique needs of women.
Guiding principles
The Olson Center operates under the following guiding principles:
- To be a leader in women's health.
- To develop innovative approaches to quality women's care.
- To provide a single point of access through consolidation of services.
- To deliver a continuum of services that promotes wellness, education, research and comprehensive clinical care.
- To create a compassionate, caring environment.
- To create a flexible environment designed to achieve advancements in medicine.
Meet the founders
A Family’s Dedication to Women’s Health
The late Dr. Leland Olson and his wife, Dorothy were long-time philanthropists and investors in the future of women’s health. Over the years, the Olsons committed millions of dollars to advance research, education, and patient care at the university. Their family and the Olson Foundation continue that work to this day.
Dr. Olson received his Bachelor of Arts degree from UNL in 1941 and his medical degree from UNMC in 1944. Dorothy Olson, a registered nurse, received her nursing degree from UNMC in 1943 and her Bachelor of Science in nursing from UNO in 1967. Their children also have strong ties to the University of Nebraska. Their son, David, received his medical degree from UNMC. Daughter Nancy received a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Business Administration degree from UNO and a Master of Science degree from the University of Nebraska. Their youngest daughter Karen also received her medical degree from, completed her ob/gyn residency at, and served on the faculty at UNMC. In addition, David Olson’s daughter, Kendra Olson Swanson, received her medical degree from UNMC. In recognition of their contributions to the University of Nebraska, Dr. and Mrs. Olson received the highest honors of UNMC: honorary doctorates as well as the University of Nebraska Foundation’s Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Service to the University of Nebraska.
Milestones in philanthropy
- 1986: Established the Dr. Leland and Dorothy Olson Resident Research Fund, which benefited the Ob/Gyn Department resident research and education programs.
- 1988: Created the Distinguished Chris J. and Marie A. Olson Chair of Clinical Investigation in Obstetrics and Gynecology in honor of Dr. Olson’s parents. This funding has allowed for substantial growth of the UNMC Department of Ob/Gyn.
- 1993: Formalized a gift agreement to establish the Leland J. and Dorothy H. Olson Center for Women’s Health, guided by an advisory board.
- 1994: Established the Dorothy Hodges Olson Chair in Nursing Fund to support distinguished nursing facility in research and education.
- 1995: Contributed funds to expand the Lied Transplant Center and created a director of research and development position at the Olson Center.
- 1999: Endowed two chairs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to attract top faculty in teaching and research.
- 2001: Established the McClure L. Smith, MD, Professorship of Gynecological Oncology to further advancements in women’s cancer research.
Growth and impact
Since its founding, the Olson Center for Women’s Health has shown steady growth in the number and quality of research projects in women’s health biomedical research. Key achievements include:
- 1994: Opening of the Women’s Health Resource Center, providing education, conferences, and publications for patients and medical staff.
- 2005: Funding for a state-of-the-art outpatient facility, uniting women’s health services in one location for greater convenience and comprehensive care.
- 2007: Official opening of two locations, now serving over 60,000 total visits annually.
- 2025: The Olson Center will have surpassed $10 million in research investment at UNMC.