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Deb Thomas |
“I know this,” said Thomas, who comes to UNMC after serving seven years as the University of Nebraska’s assistant vice president for administration and director of special projects, “I could not be more excited about joining the UNMC staff.”
As for that commute from the capital city, it’ll be reality for Thomas at least until her daughter, Meredith, graduates from Lincoln Southeast High School next spring.
But the drive is a minor inconvenience compared to the opportunity to work in an energetic environment such as UNMC, Thomas said.
She had several opportunities to work with UNMC faculty in her last job and said those experiences are the cause of her excitement about her new position.
“I have worked with several key people at the medical center and they were always wonderful to deal with,” Thomas said. “This is just a great group of people that I really look forward to working with. There are simply so many opportunities to do so much important work.”
UNMC’s growth is another reason for Thomas’ enthusiasm.
“There is such great energy that radiates from the campus,” Thomas said. “It’s really quite overwhelming. It has grown into such an asset for Omaha and the state.”
Before joining the university in 1999, Thomas served as deputy director of the Nebraska Health Care Association. She also has served as an administrator in several areas of state government in her 30-year career, including terms in the Nebraska Health and Human Services System and in the state’s department of social services.
“I have had a real passion for health care for many, many years,” Thomas said. “To be able to contribute administratively in such a setting will be very rewarding.”
Thomas’ hiring is a real home run for UNMC, said Don Leuenberger, vice chancellor for business and finance.
“Deb brings a wealth of experience and skill to this position,” Leuenberger said. “She is undeniably a world-class talent. We’re so glad she’s joining our team.”
Thomas and her husband, Jim Eske, have five children – Aaron, 23, Michelle, 22, Jordan, 20, Meredith, 17, and Jamie, 11.