Thomas named associate vice chancellor for Business and Finance

Deb Thomas will become the associate vice chancellor for Business and Finance on Dec. 1.

Thomas has been the assistant vice chancellor of finance and business services since 2006. Her promotion is based upon her outstanding record of success at UNMC, as well as taking on additional duties, said Don Leuenberger, vice chancellor for Business and Finance.

Deb Thomas

“Deb’s an incredible talent with stellar credentials, keen insight and a wealth of experience in a variety of roles,” Leuenberger said. “As associate vice chancellor for Business and Finance, she will take on additional responsibilities for helping meet the challenges facing UNMC today and in the future.”

Leuenberger noted Thomas’ leadership in several state agencies between 1989 and 1999, including stints as director of:

• The Department of Administrative Services;
  
• The Department of Social Services; and
  
• The Department of Regulation and Licensure.

Thomas also served as policy secretary for the Nebraska Health and Human Services System and Nebraska Medicaid Director and as deputy director of the State Auditor’s Office.

Immediately before joining UNMC, Thomas worked for seven years as the University of Nebraska’s assistant vice president for administration and director of special projects.

Thomas said she’s excited for the challenges of her new role.

“It is rewarding to contribute administratively in a setting in which lives are saved and medical breakthroughs are made,” Thomas said. “I look forward to collaborating with people across campus to ensure that we have the most efficient, cost-effective processes in place so that we’re able to invest our resources most wisely to stay at the cutting edge of health care.”