Growing to Serve Nebraska: Nebraska Orthopaedic Center Opens Third Location

We are excited to announce the continued growth of Nebraska Orthopaedic Center (NOC) with the opening of their third location on June 8, 2026.

In addition to expanding access to their convenient orthopaedic walk-in service through NOC Ortho Quick Care, they will introduce a new service line at this location: NOC Therapy. This specialty will offer both Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) services to support patients throughout their recovery journey.

At Nebraska Orthopaedic Center, they provide comprehensive orthopaedic healthcare, offering a wide variety of orthopaedic services including sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, total joint replacement, hand surgery, and spinal surgery.

NOC physicians are highly skilled in all areas of orthopaedic medicine. Their expertise includes the medical management of injuries and disease of the musculoskeletal system through physical and rehabilitative methods, or through surgical intervention. NOC orthopaedic surgeons often serve as consultants to physicians of other disciplines in order to assure the highest quality of care for their patients.

In addition, on-staff physician assistants and nurse practitioners provide a wide range of orthopaedic services. Advanced Practice Providers are involved in many aspects of patient care, including performing medical examinations, diagnosing diseases and injuries and providing treatment, prescribing medications under the supervision of NOC physicians, and assisting with surgical procedures.

NOC remains committed to delivering exceptional musculoskeletal care through its trusted team of orthopaedic surgeons and specialists, providing every patient with seamless, high-quality care throughout their journey. Their expertise includes the medical management of injuries and disease of the musculoskeletal system through physical and rehabilitative methods, or through surgical intervention.

New Location Opening: June 8, 2026

Location: 33rd & Salt Creek  3255 Salt Creek Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504

Services Offered:

• Clinic

• NOC Ortho Quick Careo Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

• NOC Therapy

• Occupational Therapy (OT)

• Physical Therapy (PT)

NOC appreciates everyone’s continued partnership and look forward to serving their community together with expanded access and services. To refer a patient or schedule an appointment at NOC Salt Creek location, please call 402-4362000 or fax 402-436-2086.

Family First – How NPS Keeps Their Culture Strong

At Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties (NPS), culture is the foundation of how the team works, grows, and supports one another. Described by staff as collaborative, nurturing, and patient-centered, the clinic’s culture has evolved significantly over the past few years, becoming more inclusive, transparent, and team-focused.

Leadership has been intentional in shaping this environment, emphasizing open communication and continuous improvement. One key example of this commitment is the ongoing partnership with Zelle, NPS’s HR partner, to conduct a comprehensive culture and communication survey every other year. The process is thoughtfully designed so that all responses are anonymous, and only major themes are shared back with leadership—never raw data. These themes then help shape new action items and goals, ensuring that employee voices directly guide organizational improvements.

But what truly brings the culture to life are the clinic’s traditions and the way the team shows up for each other. From quarterly, department-chosen team outings (fully funded by NPS), to celebrating life milestones like weddings, babies, and work anniversaries, there’s a strong sense of camaraderie. Seasonal events where spouses and families are invited—like Husker tailgates or mini-golf outings—reflect the clinic’s belief that supporting employees means supporting their lives beyond work.

One of the most powerful examples of this community spirit came when a staff member was going through a personal crisis. The way the team stepped up to support them showcased the deep compassion that runs through the organization. “Family first” isn’t just something people say at NPS—it’s a value actively upheld by leadership and physicians alike.

Even former employees recognize the difference. One recently rejoined the team after six years away and, during re-orientation, shared with a new hire how much she had missed NPS—and how it was “unlike any other.” Her words were a meaningful reminder that even through growth and challenges, the heart of the clinic’s culture remains strong.

Looking back and celebrating progress is a tradition in itself. Each year ends with a clinic-wide reflection to honor what’s been accomplished and to recognize the team’s impact. It’s these consistent, intentional efforts that continue to make NPS a place where people feel valued, connected, and proud to be part of something bigger.

A Year of Growth and Progress at Grand Island Clinic 

By Joe Armatys, Grand Island Clinic Administrator

The past year at Grand Island Clinic has been one of remarkable growth, innovation, and teamwork. As we continue our mission to provide high-quality, patient-centered care, we have made several strategic expansions that have already made a meaningful impact on both the services we offer and the experience our patients receive.

To accommodate increasing demand and improve access to care, we opened two new locations, both situated conveniently within the same medical complex as our main clinic. One of these is a fully renovated building now dedicated to pediatric care, created to absorb growth and provide a family-friendly environment for our patients. The second location, GIC Imaging, houses our new imaging suite where patients can now receive ultrasounds and mammograms on-site. These services offer a more convenient and cost-effective alternative to hospital imaging, while also allowing our care teams to better coordinate diagnostic and follow-up care.

Alongside these physical expansions, we have added two new providers, bringing our total to 24, and have expanded our Chronic Care Management (CCM) program. With these additions, our annual patient visits, including all services, have increased from 85,000 to 92,000 and staff have grown to a total of 137.

Of course no expansion comes without its challenges. Coordinating construction, equipment procurement, and staffing, especially in a tight labor market, required thoughtful planning and strong collaboration. Despite these hurdles, both facilities opened within two months of each other and were brought online with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations. That level of execution is a testament to the dedication of our entire team.

These efforts are not just about growing for growth’s sake; they are essential to supporting our long-term vision. Grand Island Clinic has been a privately owned and operated practice since 1922, and we believe that maintaining our independence allows us to make decisions that are truly in the best interest of our patients. In a healthcare environment where reimbursement rates are largely controlled by insurance companies and operating costs continue to rise, expanding our services is one of the few ways we can sustain our business while still keeping care accessible and affordable.

What I am most proud of this year is not just the buildings we opened or the services we added, it is the way our team came together to make it happen. From frontline staff to providers to our leadership team, everyone played a role in executing a complex and fast-paced expansion plan. The positive feedback from patients and the early success of these new services affirm that our work is making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to advancing care, improving access, and continuing to grow in ways that align with our values and community needs.