Nancy Thompson, a former state senator and longtime advocate for children and families in Nebraska, will receive the J.G Elliott Award at commencement ceremonies for the University of Nebraska Medical Center at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 6, at Baxter Arena.
The award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to medicine and health programs for the state of Nebraska.
As an elected official and nonprofit director, Thompson worked throughout her career to advance the health and well-being of children and families. As a partner to community advocates, health and human services professionals, faculty and leadership of higher education, law enforcement agencies and the justice system, she worked to improve public policy and community services for underserved and vulnerable populations.
From 1997-2006, she represented District 14 of Sarpy County as a Nebraska state senator and was a member of the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners.
As a public official, she is most known for her work in the area of juvenile justice, where she worked for system and facility improvements and enhanced treatment services. She received national recognition for her work from Voices for America’s Children.
As a member of the Nebraska Legislature, she served on the Health and Human Services Committee and the Appropriations Committee, which gave her to the opportunity to focus on advancing public health, increasing access to health care and protecting children. She served at the state and national level on committees and commissions addressing health care, criminal justice, education and child welfare issues.
She was the first CEO of the Health Center Association of Nebraska, which provides training, technical assistance and advocacy for Nebraska’s Community Health Centers. Community Health Centers provide health care homes to the medically underserved in communities throughout the state.
Thompson was CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands and served on the Nationwide Leadership Council of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. During her tenure, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands was named Agency of the Year for mid-sized BBBS agencies.
Thompson retired in 2015 and currently works part time in policy and development for OneWorld Community Health Centers. She serves on the Bellevue Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, the Cornhusker Motor Club Foundation Board of Directors, the La Vista Citizen Advisory Review Committee, and the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation Board of Directors.
She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Creighton University. She and her husband, Jim, have been married 46 years and live in La Vista. They have four children and seven grandchildren.
The J.G. Elliott Award is given in memory of Jack Elliott, a former Scottsbluff resident who served on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents for 20 years until his death in 1974.
We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.