Maria Gonzalez sits in her rural Nebraska clinic, facing a medical challenge beyond her expertise. Rather than referring her patient to Omaha—a three-hour drive away—she activates a small device on her desk. Seconds later, Dr. James Chen, a specialist from UNMC, appears in the room as a three-dimensional hologram, examining the patient alongside her and discussing treatment options in real-time.
This scene, once confined to science fiction, is becoming reality through the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s groundbreaking hologram technology initiative launched this month.
“When we talk about healthcare access disparities in rural communities, we’re usually discussing telehealth options that still keep providers separated by screens,” explains Dr. Samantha Wilson, lead researcher on UNMC’s holographic medicine project. “This technology creates a shared space where collaboration happens naturally, as if everyone is physically present.”
The technology, developed through a partnership between UNMC and technology firm HoloMed Solutions, uses specialized cameras and projection equipment to capture and transmit three-dimensional images of healthcare providers. Unlike traditional video conferencing, participants appear as full-sized, 360-degree projections capable of demonstrating procedures, examining patients, and interacting with objects in the room.
For Nebraska’s rural communities, where specialist shortages remain a critical challenge, this advancement represents more than convenience—it could be lifesaving. Studies published in the Journal of Rural Health consistently show patients in remote areas experience longer diagnosis delays and higher mortality rates for treatable conditions.
Jennifer Thomas, a nurse practitioner in Valentine, Nebraska, participated in early testing of the system. “I had a pediatric case that normally would have required transferring the child to Omaha,” she recalls. “Instead, a UNMC pediatric specialist appeared right beside me, guided me through the assessment, and helped develop a treatment plan we could implement locally.”
The program currently connects fifteen rural clinics with specialists at UNMC, with plans to expand statewide by 2025. The $12 million initiative received federal rural healthcare improvement funding alongside private donations from Nebraska’s healthcare foundations.
Beyond emergency consultations, the technology facilitates ongoing medical education for rural providers. Monthly case conferences and specialist lectures are now delivered holographically, allowing rural practitioners to participate in continuing education without traveling to medical centers.
“The knowledge gap between urban academic centers and rural providers has always been challenging to bridge,” notes Dr. Michael Rivera, UNMC’s Director of Rural Health Initiatives. “This technology democratizes access to expertise in a way we’ve never seen before.”
Privacy concerns have been carefully addressed through encrypted transmissions and strict protocols for patient consent. The system meets all HIPAA requirements for protected health information, with additional security measures exceeding federal standards.
As healthcare provider shortages continue to affect rural America, innovations like UNMC’s hologram initiative may reshape how we think about equitable healthcare delivery. Rather than requiring patients or providers to travel hundreds of miles, expertise can now materialize where and when it’s needed most.
“The future of rural healthcare isn’t about building more hospitals—it’s about connecting existing facilities with resources they need,” says Dr. Wilson. “Every Nebraska patient deserves access to specialized care, regardless of their zip code.”
More information about this initiative is available through UNMC’s rural health programs or by visiting the university’s technology innovation center.
For communities facing healthcare access challenges across America, Nebraska’s holographic solution may provide a glimpse into medicine’s collaborative future—one where geography no longer determines quality of care.
