Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the 2026 For the Greater Good raised $343,335 from 2,045 gifts to grow lasting impact for scholarships, patient care and innovative programs at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.
The fourth annual giving day was celebrated from noon Wednesday, April 22, through noon Thursday, April 23.
“I’m humbled and grateful to the donors who came together to make For the Greater Good a success,” said H. Dele Davies, MD, UNMC’s interim chancellor. “Because of your generosity, we can better support students, strengthen patient care, advance innovative programs and better serve the people and communities who bring our mission to life.”
Michael Ash, MD, CEO of Nebraska Medicine, said, “I want to thank everyone who supported the 2026 For the Greater Good. You showed once again the difference each donor can make. Your gifts support the health of our families and communities and advance the future of health care in Nebraska.”
Both Drs. Davies and Ash established challenge gifts to support the giving day.
Dr. Ash and his wife, Danielle, committed $5,000 to support the Nebraska Medicine Excellence Fund, which addresses the health system’s urgent needs by funding such priorities as patient care, clinical equipment and continuing education for frontline health care workers.
Dr. Davies hosted a friendly pushup challenge to kick off the event, setting the benchmark of 78 pushups before a cheering crowd of students, faculty and staff. He generously committed a total of $5,000 to be donated to a UNMC or Nebraska Medicine fund of choice for his top three challengers.
The overall winner, Marcus Dustin, who works at the Munroe-Meyer Institute and will begin medical school at UNMC this fall, performed 172 pushups. He will direct his prize funds to the Munroe-Meyer Institute, inspired by his personal experience caring for a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“UNMC is not only a center of medicine,” Dustin said. “It’s a community to give back to the great state of Nebraska.”
Supporters committed more than $155,000 for challenges and matching gifts prior to the giving day to inspire others to give. With a theme of “Planting Seeds For the Greater Good,” the 2026 giving day included about 100 areas to support. One of those is the Greater Nebraska Cancer Prevention and Research Fund, which supports efforts to expand access to lifesaving cancer research, education and care for individuals and families across the state, especially in rural communities.
Christine Vauthrin of Kearney, Nebraska, was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2011. She has been treated at both the Omaha and Kearney locations of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. She underwent CAR T-cell therapy in Omaha in 2025, after her blood cancer stopped responding to standard treatments. She called the life-changing clinical trial a “Hail Mary.”
“I can’t even begin to say how grateful I am for everybody. God had me in his hands, but this place is so special,” she said. “If you come here, you’re in great hands.”
Trinity Edwards, a UNMC student studying occupational therapy, knows firsthand the importance of donors’ support for scholarships. As a first-generation college student, she never expected graduate school to be part of her academic journey. Navigating college on her own, from financial aid to everyday expenses, came with a lot of uncertainty.
Scholarship support allowed her to focus on her education and helped alleviate financial stress.
“Having that backing from donors has really helped,” Edwards said. “It gives me peace of mind knowing I do not have to worry about every expense while I am in grad school.”