The 2025 For the Greater Good, a giving day to support UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, was celebrated March 26-27, inspiring generous support from across Nebraska and beyond. Over 24 hours, 2,135 gifts were made, raising $475,997 to fuel the future of health care in Nebraska. The number of gifts set a record for the third annual giving day.
“The health and wellness of our fellow Nebraskans is at the heart of everything we do at UNMC,” said H. Dele Davies, MD, UNMC interim chancellor. “That’s why the response to this year’s For the Greater Good campaign is so humbling. The Nebraska philanthropic community’s continued strong support of UNMC and Nebraska Medicine is something the entire medical center takes pride in and is thankful for. We appreciate their support, and we pledge to continue our efforts to create healthier futures for the people of Nebraska and beyond.”
Nebraska Medicine CEO James Linder, MD, said, “I am grateful for everyone’s generosity in the For the Greater Good campaign. Each contribution, large or small, supports every part of the Nebraska Medicine and UNMC mission. Your support for health education, research and clinical care truly contributes to the greater good of our community.”
Supporters committed more than $200,000 for challenges and matching gifts to inspire others to give during the third annual giving day. Dr. Linder made a $50,000 match gift to the Healing Stethoscope Sculptures Fund to bring “Healing” sculptures to UNMC’s Kearney and Lincoln campuses. Because of the generosity of Dr. Linder and his wife, Karen, the “Healing” stethoscope sculpture has served as a landmark on UNMC’s Omaha campus since 2014.
The giving day included 131 areas to support, including departmental funds within Nebraska Medicine, patient care, research, nearly 50 recognized student organizations at UNMC and student scholarships. UNMC’s education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in Nebraska.
“The financial support has allowed me to focus on school and not have to worry about how I am going to pay for things,” said scholarship recipient Alyssa Empfield of Grand Island, Nebraska, who is in her first year in UNMC’s dental hygiene program. “Any contribution to scholarships, big or small, really goes a long way.”
Nolan Parks of Elkhorn, Nebraska, a senior in the UNMC College of Nursing, expressed appreciation for the Sharon Bonham Holyoke Nursing Scholarship. He plans to work in the Nebraska Medicine ICU after graduation.
“UNMC means the world to me,” Parks said. “The faculty, the students and all my peers here have been incredible in my learning journey. Fortunately, I’ll be able to continue my career across the street at Nebraska Medicine. I wouldn’t want to leave this place; I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”