Deb Thomas, former UNMC vice chancellor for business and finance, died on Dec. 10.
Thomas joined UNMC in 2006 as associate vice chancellor for finance and business services. She also served as senior associate vice chancellor and became vice chancellor for business and finance in 2016, after serving as the interim vice chancellor for a year. She left UNMC in 2017.
“During this time, Deb provided thoughtful leadership and experienced judgment, particularly with our state government business relationships, to many aspects of our UNMC business development and academic growth strategies,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD. “We are deeply sorry to learn of her passing and send our very best wishes to her husband, Jim, and the other members of her family.”
Don Leuenberger, Thomas’ predecessor as vice chancellor of business and finance, called her a public servant with vast experience in state government and at the university, a respected administrator and a loving mother to five children.
“Deb was a tireless and very knowledgeable advocate for serving those in need in all her various roles,” Leuenberger said. “She was a wise counselor, mentor to many, and she was always my valued friend and colleague. She will be very much missed.”
Leuenberger mentioned Thomas’ passion for UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute, which serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan.
“She was very proud to be a part of MMI’s amazing success and stature,” he said.
Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD, whom Thomas helped recruit as director of MMI, called her a treasured friend, confidant and adviser.
“She was truly one of a kind and will be missed by many,” said Aileen Warren, associate vice chancellor, Human Resources.
“She was not afraid to explore new ways of thinking and doing things in her constant quest to improve processes at UNMC or to ink a deal in UNMC’s interests,” said Dele Davies, MD, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Our prayers and condolences are with her husband Jim and all their children.”
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. She worked for both Republican Gov. Kay Orr and Democratic Gov. Ben Nelson.
Thomas also served as counsel for the Revenue and Executive Committee for the non-partisan Nebraska Legislature, as well as lobbied for the non-partisan City Council of Lincoln. Thomas graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Illinois State University and earned a master of public administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
“She was a pioneer as a female leader in the field of public sector business and finance in this state,” said Bob Bartee, vice chancellor, UNMC External Relations.