Donald S. Leuenberger, policy secretary of the Nebraska Health
and Human Services System, will return to his former post as vice
chancellor of business and finance at the University of Nebraska
Medical Center.
The move, which is pending approval of the University of
Nebraska Board of Regents at its Nov. 22 meeting, would be
effective Dec. 8.
Leuenberger, 52, served as vice chancellor at UNMC from 1988
to 1995, then took a leave of absence at Gov. Nelson’s request to
head up the governor’s effort to restructure the state’s five
health and human services agencies into what became the Nebraska
Health and Human Services System on Jan. 1 of this year.
In returning to his vice chancellor post, Leuenberger fills
the vacancy created last month when Donna Katen-Bahensky was
named vice president for ambulatory care for the Nebraska Health
System, the new company that was formed by the recent merger of
the hospital and clinical operations of University Hospital and
Clarkson Hospital. Katen-Bahensky has served as interim vice
chancellor since 1995.
"We are delighted to have Don return to UNMC," said
William O. Berndt, Ph.D., Medical Center chancellor. "Having
worked with him during his seven years as vice chancellor, I know
first hand the quality of his work and the tremendous experience
he brings to the job. He’s a perfect fit to move us forward
during these exciting times in the health-care industry.
"At the same time, I want to extend my gratitude to Donna
Katen-Bahensky and wish her well in her new position. She’s an
outstanding talent who has been a driving force in the success of
the Medical Center over the past decade."
Leuenberger has served 17 years in state government, including
two stints as Nebraska state tax commissioner and 12 years in the
state Budget Office. In addition, he worked four years as
assistant vice president and director of computing for the
University of Nebraska Central Administration staff in Lincoln.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University and a
master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
"When I took my leave of absence, it was always with the
intention of coming back to the Medical Center," Leuenberger
said. "I really enjoyed being part of the UNMC team, and I’m
looking forward to returning to the health-care field. There’s
obviously been a lot of changes since I left."
Leuenberger expressed his appreciation for Gov. Nelson
allowing him to participate in the reform initiative these past
two years. "In my opinion, this was a world-class experience
— a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change Nebraska’s
government for the better. I’m deeply indebted to Gov. Nelson for
making me part of this important government reform project."
Gov. Nelson cited Leuenberger for his contribution to the
reform initiative. "Don is a unique individual, a true
public servant who had the perfect blend of health-care and
state-government experience to carry through on the changes that
needed to be made in health and human services," Nelson
said. "I’m grateful that he was able to assist me these past
two years in moving the state forward in this critical endeavor.
He did an outstanding job, and the state is better for it."
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the
state. Through its commitment to research, education and patient
care, UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading
centers for cancer research and treatment and solid organ
transplantation. Nearly $25 million in research grants and
contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually. In addition,
UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more
health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other
institution.