Time out with T.O. – The dynamic duo

Certain names have special meaning in Omaha. You know ’em – Buffett, Durham, Scott, Holland and Truhlsen come to mind.

Tom O’Connor

You can go ahead and add Yanney to that list, too.

This became clear for me on Monday when I attended a luncheon to honor Mike Yanney and his wife, Gail Walling Yanney, M.D. They were honored by the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures for their passionate support of medical research.

Nobody could ever question that the Yanneys have been successful in their careers — Gail as an anesthesiologist and Mike as an investment banker.

What separates the Yanneys is what they give back.

“The Yanneys are unique, visionary people who will sacrifice everything to assist the community and to help people in need,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D.

Richard Holland, an Omaha philanthropist who is chairman of the board of the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, called the Yanneys “our town’s greatest citizens.”

Mike and Gail Walling Yanney, M.D.

The Yanneys never seek the limelight. They much prefer to work their magic behind the scene.

For more than 20 years, they have focused much of their attention — and contributions — on assisting disadvantaged students through scholarships to help them go to college.

It started with a mentoring program called Yanney Kids and evolved into A Partnership for Our Kids. It’s been the foundation for another program, Building Bright Futures.

In the past year, the Yanneys agreed to serve as co-chairs of the UNMC portion of the University of Nebraska capital campaign.

No big deal. All they have to do is raise $500 million for UNMC in a down economy. Bring it on.

There was little fanfare as they received their recognition on Monday. Gail made some brief remarks, while Mike stood next to her.

She said, “We are honored to support UNMC and the world-class research being done there.”

Trust me, the pleasure is all ours.