The University of Nebraska Board of Regents today approved appointments of two key University of Nebraska Medical Center interim positions.
The interim appointments are:
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Effective July 1, Deb Thomas was appointed interim vice chancellor for business and finance. She succeeds Don Leuenberger, who stepped down June 30 after 27 years in the role.
- Effective Oct. 1, Wayne Stuberg, Ph.D., will serve as interim director of UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI). He succeeds Mike Leibowitz, Ph.D., who will retire Sept. 30 after eight years as MMI director and 41 years with the institute.
In her role as senior associate vice chancellor for business and finance, Thomas oversees the finance and business infrastructure for the campus including: general accounting, sponsored programs accounting, purchasing and material services; recycling; student housing; mail services; printing, risk management; real estate rental and acquisition; and the campus bookstore.
“Deb Thomas is a consummate professional who has been involved in all aspects of the business and finance department," said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. "While it is difficult to replace Don Leuenberger, with his nearly 30 years of experience in this role, I'm pleased that Deb will be in this interim leadership role. With her intimate knowledge of the department and the help of her committed and innovative colleagues, I know the department will continue to run in its usual efficient and effective manner.”
Before joining UNMC, Thomas spent seven years as the assistant vice president for administration for the University of Nebraska, Central Administration. Her career also includes more than 20 years in state government, including serving as policy secretary for the Nebraska Health and Human Services System, director of the Department of Administrative Services and director of several individual agencies within the Health and Human Services System, including Medicaid for both Republican Gov. Kay Orr and Democratic Gov. Ben Nelson.
Dr. Stuberg joined the UNMC faculty in 1984, serving as the director of the physical therapy department at MMI. He is currently professor and associate director at MMI, a position he has held since 2009, and also is director of the MMI University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities.
“Dr. Stuberg has a deep commitment and passion for MMI’s service and support for the needs of children and adults with intellectual, developmental or genetic disorders,” Dr. Gold said. “He will lead the MMI team through this transition. His entire career has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of families with children and embodies the spirit of MMI.”
He currently serves as the chairperson of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Board of Health and is a member of the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Stuberg has served as a consultant for the state of Nebraska on the Governor’s Early Childhood Interagency Coordinating Council and also as a member of the Department of Education’s Special Education Advisory Council.
Dr. Gold has appointed Juliann Sebastian, Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, to head a 21-member search committee that will recommend finalists for selection of a permanent MMI director.
“During this important process, the committee, made up of leaders at UNMC and the community will seek the best and brightest candidate to fill the role,” Dr. Gold said. “This will not be an easy task, given the exemplary leadership we have had for so many years with Dr. Michael Leibowitz at the helm of MMI. I know that our search committee, led by Dr. Juliann Sebastian, will secure an effective and visionary leader that MMI, its staff and stakeholders expect and deserve.”