Deb Thomas, vice chancellor for business and finance at UNMC, has recently decided that she will step down from her current role Oct. 1.
Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., thanked Thomas for her leadership and dedication to UNMC. He also said the university will initiate a search process for her successor in the coming weeks. Until then, he added, “We are fortunate that we have a significant transition period, very strong leadership and deep bench strength in the Business and Finance area of our campus.
“We very much appreciate the work Deb has done in helping move this institution forward and wish her and her family well. She has been a key leader of our university over the past years.” Dr. Gold said.
In making her announcement, Thomas said she plans to pursue opportunities that afford a better work-life balance. “It has been an honor to work with the faculty and staff at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine,” said. “It is an incredible institution.”
Thomas was named vice chancellor in June 2016 after serving one year as interim vice chancellor. She previously served as senior associate vice chancellor, after joining UNMC in 2006 as associate vice chancellor for finance and business services.
What a loss! Deb has done an incredible job in this role. It's demanding so pursuing opportunities to give more work-life balance will be good. However, you will be missed!
Deb – Thank you for your advocacy for those with disabilities. You will be missed.
I've had the privilege of working with Deb for almost 20 years. I've never met anyone who could cut through a really complicated challenge and make it achievable, all the while using her good humor to make the hard work a lot of fun. As a working mother of 5, she had a great way of letting her team know that she understood the challenges faced by working parents, and she was vocal in letting us know that she trusted us to get the job done without sacrificing important times with and for our families. She will be deeply missed.
Deb is one of the most gifted and creative public servants that Nebraska has been fortunate to have. Thank you Deb for making our State a better place.
Rich Lombardi
Deb – Thank you very much for your strong leadership and huge support to the international activities. You will be deeply missed.
Deb, you've been an incredible role model and leader to our organization over the years! I truly wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Deb has been a respected leader who is passionate, innovative, and fiercely loyal to friends, colleagues, and the enterprise. Her commitment to those with disabilities and complex health care needs and their families has been critical to many initiatives. While we will miss her institutional knowledge, wit, and expertise I wish her the happiness she deserves.
Deb, I will miss seeing you around campus and of course your contagious smile. Best Wishes!
Deb, I'm deeply grateful for your lifetime of service to Nebraska. You've had an impact few others can match. I hope your transition gives you time for travel, reading, family gatherings, and all the things you value.
Your ever smiling face will be missed. Good luck in whatever you end up doing.
I have only had the pleasure working with Deb for 3 years. She has been a good mentor and life-saver for the College of Public Health. She is a character so lots of stories have already accumulated but the unknown part may be that she is a social justice warrior. For example, whenever a student issue came up, she was firmly an advocate for the student.
Deb, you have been a remarkable role model for women and working parents in higher ed administration. I am grateful for your dedication to UNMC, the College of Public Health, and the Child Development Center. You–and your infectious smile–will be sorely missed here on campus.
Deb has made a world of difference during my career at UNMC. I've never met anyone in higher ed that i respect as much as Deb. She is world class. All the very best.
Thank you for all you've done, Deb. We will miss you.
Deb, you have a passion for your professional field and have impacted UNMC enormously. Your support to Title IX programs and activities such as "It's ON US" initiative and Title IX online training was outstanding. You truly cared about providing our students with a safe environment conducive to learning. Your drive for achievement and commitment to UNMC is reflected in all that you accomplished at UNMC. Best wishes in everything you plan to do.