Nebraska Cures honors Jim and Karen Linder with Life Savers Award

Nebraska Medicine colleagues know Jim Linder, MD, as the health system CEO. Nebraska’s scientific, business and art communities also know Dr. Linder and his wife Karen for their years of significant and generous leadership and contributions. Nebraska Cures, a nonprofit supporting biomedical research and education in Nebraska, honored the Linders for their ongoing achievements and generosity with the organization’s annual Life Savers Award at an event last week. 

Karen Linder is a cytotechnologist by background. As a UNMC faculty member, she founded the UNMC Cytotechnology Training Program, was president of the American Society for Cytotechnology, founded an independent laboratory and most recently serves as the executive chairwoman of Tethon 3D, an advanced materials and 3D printing company that they co-founded.  

Prior to beginning his role as Nebraska Medicine CEO in 2018, Dr. Linder served as chief medical officer for Roche Diagnostic Hematology and Cytyc Corporation and held interim roles as president of the University of Nebraska system and dean of the UNMC College of Medicine. He also was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors for his development of new cancer screening technologies.  

Together, the Linders founded Linseed Capital, which has provided funding and mentorship to dozens of Nebraska companies and entrepreneurs, leading to their induction into the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame. Their philanthropic support of education and the arts extends across the state.  

“Karen and I were trained as scientists but were drawn into health care. Together we have pursued the early detection of cancer,” Dr. Linder said. “The most gratifying aspects of this work have been lives saved and suffering avoided – exactly what Nebraska Medicine colleagues do each day. Research has fostered technologies that improve health care, but much remains to be done. This is why the work of Nebraska Cures is so important.”  

Nebraska Cures is a nonprofit organization that promotes and supports biomedical research and education in Nebraska. For more than 20 years, Nebraska Cures has presented the annual Life Saver Award to philanthropists, scientists, clinicians and educators who exemplify the organization’s mission to promote, support and advocate for scientific research and education to advance both quality of life and the economy. Find a list of previous honorees on the Nebraska Cures website.