In The News Announcements

Clarkson College 3D Printing and Training Center Awarded Grant for New “Physician Champion” Program

30 June 2025

Program Will Promote Integration of 3D Innovation in Patient Care

Clarkson College has announced the award of a $200,000 grant from Clarkson Institute to establish the Physician Champion program within the 3D Printing and Training Center. This groundbreaking program aims to reduce financial barriers for physicians seeking to integrate 3D printing and virtual modeling into patient care, with the ultimate goals of improving patient outcomes, reducing surgical times, and advancing hospital efficiency.

“Consistent with its history, Clarkson College once again is at the leading edge of curriculum that support physicians and are poised to improve patient outcomes,” said Bill Lydiatt, MD, EMBA, CEO of Clarkson Institute. “We are proud to support an initiative that has real potential to enhance surgical planning, enrich patient education, and improve clinical outcomes while also creating a sustainable pathway for workforce development.”

The Physician Champions program will initially focus on Nebraska Medicine physicians before extending to facilities across Nebraska. Over the two-year grant period, the program will demonstrate the lifesaving value of 3D printing, prove its return on investment, and help hospitals build this technology into their standard of care.

web news header including 3d printed items.

“By eliminating financial barriers, we are making patient-specific 3D printing more accessible to surgeons and their patients,” said Gina Erlandson, Medical Imaging 3D Printing Lab Specialist. “This advancement fosters greater understanding between clinicians and their patients, ultimately enhancing communication and supporting truly informed patient consent.”

“This grant is a game-changer,” said Trish Weber, Assistant Director of Radiography/Medical Imaging and Technology at Clarkson College. “Imagine a world where a surgeon can hold a patient’s anatomy in their hands before ever making an incision. Or where a patient can see and understand what’s happening inside their body. That’s what we are delivering, and we are doing it in a way that makes it accessible to all.”

The Clarkson College 3D Printing and Training Center is nationally recognized for its leadership and innovation in medical 3D printing. The Center collaborates with industry leader 3D Systems, Inc., and holds advisory roles with the Society of Mechanical Engineers Healthcare Additive Manufacturing Advisory Board and members of RSNA 3D Printing Special Interest Group (SIG). Its portfolio spans lifechanging medical models, inventive prototypes for organizations such as the Henry Doorly Zoo, and education tools to inspire future health professionals.

Nebraska Medicine physicians interested in the Physician Champions program may apply online: bit.ly/4emWYAM or send an email to the 3D Center team: [email protected].