Norfolk, Neb. — The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is stepping into the future, transforming distance learning with cutting-edge hologram technology.

A recent conference showcased this innovation, diving deep into stroke symptom identification and offering a glimpse into how virtual reality (VR) is poised to revolutionize medical education.

Across its four campuses, UNMC is connecting over 100 medical professionals in real-time through innovative technological software, empowering them to improve healthcare outcomes.

"We're connecting through holographic boxes," said Michael Hollins, Assistant Vice Chancellor of creative production and technology at the University of Nebraska. "We use virtual reality headsets, large interactive touch iWalls, and we're bringing together some of the best educators across all these different areas to reach these learners wherever they're at and make it engaging with technology."

The conference, held across Norfolk, Omaha, Kearney, and Scottsbluff, spotlighted crucial stroke care and engaged numerous medical providers in cutting-edge practices. The aim is to provide education that helps people care for stroke survivors, enabling them to return to healthy and autonomous lives, whether they're in the western or eastern parts of Nebraska.

A key focus was on early detection of stroke symptoms, emphasizing the acronym F.A.S.T. (Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Slurred speech, Time to call 911).

"It's really important that if you or someone that you are around starts showing those signs or symptoms of stroke that we're getting to the hospital right away," said Nebraska Medicine Stroke coordinator Nichole Cooks.

Attendees also had the opportunity to use VR headsets to explore the human body in an immersive learning environment. "We made it massive, like the size of a four-story building, this big, huge brain scan with vessels and the skull," Hollins explained. "They’re climbing inside the brain scan and talking about the pathology from what they learn in from the neurosurgery panel session. It's a great way to gamify it, and make it a little bit of fun and let people see things differently.”

While emphasizing the value of technology, Hollins noted that it doesn't signal the end of traditional campus classes.

"We’re still going to have our learners learning from the professor. They're still going to go to lecture, they're still going to have their fellowships, the residencies, but, can we get in some virtual reality or see things unlike we ever could inside the body, to really connect that to the real-world patient care that we're going to do."

This balanced approach aims to integrate VR and other technologies to enhance, not replace, traditional medical education.