(Omaha, NE) — Two of Omaha’s most prominent health systems—Methodist Health System and Nebraska Medicine—announced that they have selected the Nebraska Community Blood Bank as their supplier of life-saving blood. The official ribbon-cutting was held yesterday at the blood bank’s new distribution center.

The Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) has been connecting people and saving lives for 50 years. Founded by Lancaster County Medical Society physicians to meet the transfusion needs of hospitals in Lancaster and Seward counties, NCBB provides blood products and services to medical facilities in Lancaster, Jefferson, Polk, Saline, Seward, and York counties. The main facility located in Lincoln serves as the administrative, laboratory, and distribution hub.

The new partnership with Methodist Health System and Nebraska Medicine now extends NCBB’s reach into the greater Omaha area, providing blood products and services to more Nebraskans.

"Nebraska Community Blood Bank is proud to partner in our shared mission of saving lives with Methodist Health System and Nebraska Medicine," said NCBB President Ellen DiSalvo. "We’re excited to bring our 50-year mission to more of our neighbors in eastern Nebraska."

The partnership launched October 1, with blood products and services distributed through NCBB’s distribution site on Pacific Street. In addition to conducting community blood drives in Omaha, a new NCBB blood donation center will open at the same location in the spring of 2019.

"We’re looking forward to opening the doors of our new donor center to help serve our new partner hospitals," said Jeff Allen, Chief Operating Officer of NCBB’s parent company Innovative Blood Resources. "This partnership will allow us to expand our support for critical patient needs and share our blood product expertise with Omaha hospitals."

The partnership between NCBB and the health systems was made possible through the Nebraska Health Network, a partnership between Nebraska Medicine and Methodist Health System. The physician-led Accountable Care Organization (ACO) was formed in 2010 to improve the health of all patients by delivering high-quality, affordable, and accessible health services throughout Nebraska and western Iowa.

About Nebraska Community Blood Bank

Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) has been connecting people and saving lives for 50 years. NCBB relies on the local community to donate blood to help ensure a safe and stable blood supply is available to area hospitals and other partners. For more information, call 1-877-486-9414 or visit NCBB.ORG. Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About Innovative Blood Resources

Innovative Blood Resources (IBR) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization operating two nationally-recognized, community-based blood centers—Minnesota-based Memorial Blood Centers and Nebraska Community Blood Bank, based in Lincoln. In 2016, IBR announced a strategic partnership with New York Blood Center, expanding clinical capabilities and organizational expertise. IBR provides comprehensive blood products, advanced laboratory services, and enhanced value-driven solutions for hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare partners. Clinical staff also offer expertise in transfusion medicine and biomedical research to help clients meet economic and healthcare changes. For more information, visit innovativebloodresources.org. Connect with us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Wendy Capetz
Director of Marketing
402-486-9410
wendy.capetz@innovativeblood.org