Unsung Hero Award: Jacqueline Hankins Berry

As part of its ceremony this week to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine named Jacqueline Hankins Berry as the med center's inaugural Unsung Hero Award recipient.

Hankins Berry works as a community engagement administrative associate at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, where she is the co-chair of the institute’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, and she contributes to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at MMI and across the med center.

Read about the med center's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration and watch the event recording.

The award honors an individual who serves others in their workplace or the community, provides culturally competent care for the community and is actively involved in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

In accepting her award, Hankins Berry quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love."

See Hankins Berry's heartfelt and emotional acceptance in this video. Then congratulate her in the comments below.

48 comments

  1. John Keenan says:

    Congratulations, Jackie! A well-deserved honor.

  2. Nikki Hackendahl says:

    Congratulations, Jackie! Thank you for being a guiding light for MMI, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine to reach new heights in diversity, equity and inclusion.

  3. Melonie Welsh says:

    Jackie, your commitment to respect, diversity and inclusion is both deeply institutional and deeply personal. You show us daily that everyone has the power to move the needle, to change outcomes and to ensure that everyone feels included and capable of success. Congratulations, and thank you.

  4. Emily Ziskovsky says:

    Congratulations Jackie! I can't think of a better person to receive this award. Thanks for all you do!

  5. Dele Davies says:

    Congratulations Jackie! So well deserved.

  6. Karoly Mirnics says:

    You are amazing! Thank you for – being YOU. Absolutely deserved honor, congratulations!

  7. kacie baum says:

    Congrats!!!!!

  8. Stacie Hamel says:

    Congratulations, Jackie! What a wonderful honor and message.

  9. Lisa Spellman says:

    Congratulations Jacqueline! You are soooo deserving of this award, you truly are an Unsung Hero!

  10. Lynn Harris says:

    Congratulations Jacque!

  11. Jeff Robb says:

    Congratulations, Jackie! It's an honor to work with you.

  12. Aurelie says:

    Well deserved, Jackie! Congratulations! <3

  13. Colleen Heavican Cass says:

    Congratulations Jackie! Such a well-deserved achievement. Yay you!!

  14. Coleen Rivera says:

    Congratulations, Jackie! Your speech was wonderful and your award was well deserved.

  15. Amy Lamer says:

    That is wonderful! Congratulations!

  16. Emily McElroy says:

    Jackie is a true hero. She has so much grace that she offers everyone. I have found her a true inspiration.

  17. Karen Hankins says:

    Congratulations, Jackie! I'm so proud of you. May your life continue to be filled with success and achievements. Feeling so much joy for you today.

  18. Drissa Toure says:

    Congratulations, Jackie!!! Well deserved.

  19. Erin Wirth says:

    Congrats!

  20. Brigette Vaughan says:

    So proud to call Jackie a colleague and friend! Well-deserved honor. Congratulations!!!!

  21. Marlene Novotny says:

    Congratulations! Your acceptance brought me to tears!

  22. Catherine Mello says:

    Again congratulations, Jackie! You have motivated me beyond measure and we are all fortunate to have colleagues like you here at UNMC!

  23. Chris Christen says:

    Jackie, we can see that "guiding light" in you as well. Thanks for the example you set!

  24. Maggie VanMoorleghem says:

    Congrats, Jackie!!

  25. Gina Pearson says:

    Hi Jackie!
    First of all, congratulations! I listened to the program live on Monday and was so touched by your humble and emotional acceptance speech. You're such a special person that has a lot to give and gives a lot! You indeed have a heart full of grace!

  26. Becky Gilbert says:

    Congratulations Jackie! Well deserved honor! I am so happy and excited for you.

  27. Anne Lawlor says:

    Congratulations, Jackie, on this well deserved recognition! Your acceptance speech was so warm and heartfelt, it moved me deeply. Congratulations again!

  28. Sonja Franziska Tutsch says:

    Well deserved indeed! Big congratulations, Jackie! The UNMC community is privileged and blessed to have you. <3

  29. Dawn Nevarez says:

    Congratulations, Jackie! The MMI & UNMC community is lucky to have you. Love the Dr. King quote you shared.

  30. Kelsey Scroggin says:

    Congratulations, Jackie!!

  31. Patty Mata says:

    Congratulations!

  32. Robin Jaeckel says:

    Congratulations Jackie! Well deserved.

  33. Glenda Newell says:

    Congratulations Jackie, hearing your speech brings tears to my eyes. Iā€™m so very proud of you. Much love. Your aunt Glenda Newell

  34. Jerry brooks says:

    Jackie keep up the good work MLK would have been proud of you jbrooks

  35. Mary P McHale says:

    Congratulations Jackie! Well deserved.

  36. Candace Peteler says:

    Congratulations Jackie!!! Well-deserved! My day is always a little brighter when I have the chance to talk with you. šŸ™‚

  37. Tracy Hanzek says:

    Congratulations Jackie!!!

  38. Deb Timm says:

    Such wonderful news! Thanks for all that you do for so many!

  39. Diane Pickering says:

    Congratulations Jackie!!! Your acceptance speech was awesome! Thanks for all you do!

  40. Bhavana Dave says:

    Congratulations, Jackie for a very well-deserved award! So proud of you, so happy for you! My eyes welled up as I heard your touching and heartfelt acceptance speech. Thank you for all you do!

  41. Vickie R Young says:

    Congratulations Jackie!!!

  42. Candyce Dunlap says:

    Congratulations!!!

  43. Janice Flegle says:

    So, so happy for you, Jackie! This honor is very well-deserved.

  44. Jhoanna Olmos says:

    Congrats Jackie, endlessly proud to call you a colleague and friend <3 <3 <3

  45. jerrie dayton says:

    Jacqueline, you are such an inspiration of how to face each day. Congratulations on this truly deserved recognition.

  46. Kim Bainbridge says:

    Congratulations Jackie. Keep reaching for the stars

  47. Linda Cunningham says:

    Congratulations, Jackie on this well-deserved recognition.

  48. Amy E Jenson says:

    Congratulations Jackie!

Comments are closed.