Every year, NMA honors the best of the best in Nebraska’s physician community. These awards recognize those who go above and beyond, embodying excellence in healthcare, advocacy, leadership, and humanitarian efforts.
We encourage you to nominate a deserving colleague who consistently makes a difference in the lives of patients, colleagues, and the community.
NMA Awards:
- Physician of the Year
- Young Physician of the Year
- Physician Advocate of the Year
- Student Advocate of the Year
- Friend of Medicine
- Copic Humanitarian Award
Nominations close April 30, 2026.
This year’s award winners will be honored at the 2026 Presidential Inauguration and Awards Banquet on Thursday, September 3rd, beginning at 5:00 PM at The Country Club of Lincoln.
You don’t need to be a member to nominate – help us celebrate excellence!
“The NMA is a vital component in improving health care for our patients. Making the practice of medicine less cumbersome, more efficient, adequately reimbursed, and safer are among the objectives the leadership and staff work on daily. It has been my privilege to have played a small role in that endeavor.”
Gerry Luckey, MD, FAAFP
Distinguished Service to Medicine Award, 2025
PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR
This award is the highest recognition given by the NMA and presented annually to an NMA member whose dedication and leadership has dramatically improved the lives of their patients, community, and organized medicine. Recipient consistently achieves high standards in the practice of medicine and are looked upon as a role model by their peers.
Award Criteria:
– Nominee is an NMA member with a minimum of 15 years in practice based on completion of medical school.
– Nominee is a credible role model, both professionally and personally, to their community, other physicians and medical students.
– Nominee exceeds expectations of their practice or profession.
– Nominee makes a significant difference in the life of a patient, staff member, or colleague.
– Nominee contributes substantially to their community through community service or support.
– Nominee provides high-level leadership.
– Nominee fosters the spread of medical knowledge.
Nominate now
YOUNG PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR
This award is presented annually to a physician under the age of 40 who consistently achieves high standards in the practice of medicine and is looked upon as a role model by their peers.
Award Criteria:
– Nominee is an NMA member under the age of 40 who has completed their residency training.
– Nominee is a credible role model, both professionally and personally, to their community, other physicians and medical students.
– Nominee exceeds expectations of their practice or profession.
– Nominee makes a significant difference in the life of a patient, staff member or colleague.
– Nominee contributes substantially to their community through community service or support.
– Nominee provides high-level leadership.
– Nominee fosters the spread of medical knowledge.
PHYSICIAN ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
This award is presented annually to one physician, resident, or fellow whose advocacy efforts have played a crucial role in enhancing the NMA’s public policy priorities.
Award Criteria:
– Nominee is an NMA member.
– Nominee has proven and successful outcomes with national and/or state-level advocacy initiatives that align with the NMA.
– Nominee goes beyond their primary role as a physician, resident, or fellow by advocating for the well-being of physicians, patients, and communities in which they serve.
– Nominee encourages, supports, and motivates their colleagues to participate in NMA advocacy work.
STUDENT ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
This award is presented annually to one medical student whose advocacy efforts have played a crucial role in enhancing the NMA’s public policy priorities.
Award Criteria:
– Nominee is an NMA member.
– Nominee has proven and successful outcomes with national and/or state-level advocacy initiatives that align with the NMA.
– Nominee goes beyond their primary role as a medical student by advocating for the well-being of medical students, physicians, patients, and communities in which they serve.
– Nominee encourages, supports, and motivates their colleagues to participate in NMA advocacy work.
FRIEND OF MEDICINE
This award is presented annually to recognize one non-physician, organization, or layperson (e.g. elected official, journalist, community leader) who significantly advances health care, patient advocacy, or the medical profession.
Award Criteria:
– Nominee performs outstanding service to the betterment of the health of all Nebraskans through exceptional service, supporting public health initiatives, promoting medical education or demonstrating long-term commitment to community health.
COPIC HUMANITARIAN AWARD
The Copic Humanitarian Award is presented annually to honor a physician for volunteer medical services and contributions to their community.
Copic specifically looks to recognize those individuals who unassumingly volunteer outside the spectrum of their day-to-day lives. The recipient of the award designates a $10,000 donation from Copic to be provided to a health care-related 501(c)(3) organization within their respective state. If you know a worthy candidate, please nominate him or her for this award.
PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS
2025 – Daniel Rosenquist, MD, Columbus
2024 – Sian Jones-Jobst, MD, Lincoln
2023 – James Nora, MD, Lincoln
2022 – Michael Rapp, MD, Lincoln
2021 – David Minnick, MD, Broken Bow
2020 – Kevin Nohner, MD, Omaha
2019 – Michele Mulligan-Witt, MD, Valentine
2018 – John Massey, MD, Lincoln
2017 – Kim Coleman, MD, Lincoln
2016 – Chelsea Chesen, MD, Omaha
2015 – Gerald Luckey, MD, David City
2014 – David Watts, MD, Omaha
2013 – Jeffrey David, MD, Lincoln
2012 – Gary Ensz, MD, Auburn
2011 – Susan Scholer, MD, Omaha
2010 – Vincent Bjorling, MD, Scottsbluff
2009 – Hans Dethlefs, MD, Omaha
2008 – William Shiffermiller, MD, Omaha
2007 – John Peters, MD, Omaha
2006 – David Paulus, MD, Lincoln
2005 – Anthony Kusek, MD, Albion
2004 – Joann Schaefer, MD, Omaha
2003 – Milton “Pete” Johnson, MD, Scottsbluff
2002 – John A. Wagoner, Jr., MD, Grand Island
2001 – Daniel Deitrich, MD, Omaha
2000 – Darroll Loschen, MD, York
2025 – Melanie Menning, MD, MPH, Omaha
2024 – Not Awarded
2023 – Juan Santamaria, MD, Omaha
2022 – Traci Dieckmann, DO, Central City
2021 – Alëna Balasanova, MD, Omaha
2020 – Josue Gutierrez, MD, Crete
2019 – Jordan Warchol, MD, Omaha
2018 – Michael Israel, MD, Omaha
2017 – Mike Feilmeier, MD, Omaha
2016 – Travis Teetor, MD, Omaha
2015 – Michelle Sell, MD, Central City
2014 – Lori Brunner-Buck, MD, Omaha
2013 – Jason Kruger, MD, Lincoln
2012 – David lngvoldstad, MD, Omaha
2011 – Jennifer Brown, MD, Grand Island
2010 – Michael Zaruba, MD, Auburn
2009 – Matt Beacom, MD, Fremont
2008 – Derrick Anderson, MD, Lincoln
2007 – Deb Anderson, MD, Columbus
2006 – Brian Buhlke, DO, Central City
2005 – Jeffrey Holloway, MD, Scottsbluff
2004 – Jeff King, MD, Grand Island
2003 – Annette Miller, MD, Valentine
2002 – Kipton Anderson, MD, Columbus
2001 – Hugh Holmquist, MD, Burwell
2000 – Rob Rhodes, MD, Lincoln
2025 – Gerry Luckey, MD, FAAFP, David City; Bill Lydiatt, MD, Omaha; Todd Pankratz, MD, Hastings
2024 – Kelly Caverzagie, MD, Omaha
2023 – Kristie Hayes, MD, Omaha
2022 – Paul Esposito, MD, Omaha
2021 – Britt Thedinger, MD, Omaha
2020 – Kristine McVea, MD, Omaha
2019 – Richard Blatny, Sr., MD, Fairbury
2019 – Stacie Bleicher, MD, Lincoln
2019 – Michelle Petersen, MD, Lincoln
2019 – David Watts, MD, Omaha
2018 – Alan Thorson, MD, Omaha
2017 – John Reed, MD, Lincoln
2016 – Peter Whitted, MD, Omaha
2015 – Linda Ford, MD, Bellevue
2015 – Charles Gregorius, MD, Lincoln
2015 – David Filipi, MD, Omaha
2014 – Tom Tonniges, MD, Omaha
2014 – Ron Klutman, MD, Columbus
2013 – Rowen Zetterman, MD, Omaha
2012 – Gamini Soori, MD, Omaha
2012 – Pat Brookhouser, MD, Omaha (posthumous)
2011 – Thomas Ruma, MD, Omaha
2010 – Dale Michels, MD, Lincoln
2009 – Joe Gard, MD, Lincoln (posthumous)
2008 – Senator Joel Johnson, MD, Kearney
2007 – Larry Bausch, MD, Lincoln
2006 – Carl Cornelius, MD, Sidney
2005 – Les Spry, MD, Lincoln
2004 – Christopher C. Caudill, MD, Lincoln
2003 – Richard Raymond, MD, Lincoln
2002 – not awarded
2001 – not awarded
2000 – Frederick F. Paustian, MD, Omaha
2025 – Libby Crockett, MD, MPH, FACOG, Grand Island
2024 – Ann Anderson Berry, MD, Omaha
2024 – Stephanie Hartman, MD, Omaha
2023 – Not Awarded
2022 – Alex Dworak, MD, Omaha
2021 – Jodanne Hedrick, DO, Omaha
2020 – John Trapp, MD, Lincoln
2019 – Beth Ann Brooks, MD, Lincoln
2018 – not awarded
2017 – not awarded
2016 – Bob Rauner, MD, Lincoln
2015 – Britt Thedinger, MD, Omaha
2025 – Hunter Allen, MD, North Platte
2023 – Megan Kalata, MD MPH, Omaha
2022 – Michael Visenio, MD, MPH, Omaha
2017 – 2021 – not awarded
2016 – Jordan Warchol, MD, Omaha
2025 – Sophie Jensen
2024 – Nicholas Bohannon
2023 – Wyatt Lanik
2022 – Rebecca Anderson
2021 – Natasha Hongsermeier-Graves
2020 – Rohan Khazanchi
2019 – Olivia Sonderman
2018 – not awarded
2017 – not awarded
2016 – Michael Visenio
2015 – R. Logan Jones
2015 – Alicia Smith
2025 – Steve Kros
2024 – Nebraska Coalition for Patient Safety
2023 – Michael Davlin
2022 – Senator Steve Lathrop, JD
2021 – Patricia Lopez
2020 – Joan Anderson
2019 – Dale Mahlman
2018 – Evelyn McKnight
2017 – Bob Bartee
2016 – Tom Obrist
2015 – not awarded
2014 – Dave Schulz
2013 – Sandy Johnson
2012 – David Buntain
2011 – Senator Mike Gloor
2010 – not awarded
2009 – not awarded
2008 – Chuck Pallesen
2007 – Senator DiAnna Schimek
2006 – Barbara Schaefer
2005 – Senator Dennis Byars
2004 – Senator Don Pederson
2003 – Congressman Doug Bereuter
2002 – Senator Jim Jensen
2001 – William M. Kizer
2000 – Jack K. Lewis, MD
