North Dakota establishes aerospace medicine center at UND

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has signed House Bill 1612, establishing the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at the University of North Dakota. According to UND, the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences will establish the center in partnership with its School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Student Health Services and University Counseling Center.

The center is mandated to support mental health and assist with Federal Aviation Administration medical certification for pilots and aviation professionals across the state. The legislation includes up to $250,000 in one-time funding. More than two dozen individuals, including UND administrators and industry experts, testified in support of the bill. UND officials say the center will expand access to specialized medical care and address barriers that discourage pilots from seeking mental health support.