Four Omaha leaders join Nebraska Methodist College board

Omaha, Nebraska - Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) recently welcomed four new members to its board of directors. 

The new members are Armando Allende Blanco, Dr. Dawn Gary, Rudy Partida and Debbie Schrampfer.

“It’s a great honor to have each of these individuals joining the board,” NMC President and CEO Dr. Deb Carlson said. “They bring knowledge about medical health changes and needs, what’s happening in Omaha Public Schools, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Their viewpoints are key to helping NMC stay focused on our current and future needs. Their participation will help us better prepare our students to be the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.”

Allende Blanco has worked as a teacher at Omaha Public Schools since 2014. He is a Cuban political refugee with experience as a church pastor and a mechanical engineer. As a pastor, Allende Blanco worked with international medical students and fundraised for counseling and literacy for minority groups. 

Currently a pediatrician with Children’s Physicians at the Embassy Park location, Dr. Gary has been a pediatrician in Omaha since 1993. In addition, she volunteers teaching medical students, and pediatric and family medicine residents. Prior to becoming a physician, Dr. Gary was a nurse and worked in the NICU. 

Partida has over 15 years in the banking and financial field, working at State Farm for the last eight years. He is one of 11 State Farm agents in the country to own and operate three agencies. Partida is active in the south Omaha community. 

Schrampfer spent more than 20 years in corporate communications, leading branding and creative services, internal communications and Union Pacific's museum. Currently serving as Union Pacific's chief diversity officer and assistant vice president of workforce resources, she also sits on the board of A Time to Heal and was past president of Union Pacific's LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group.

The NMC board is responsible for overall governance of the College, review of existing offerings and long-term planning. Members of the board approve budgets, hiring of the president, major capital expenditure and new program offerings. They represent the College within the community and facilitate fundraising for endowments and special projects within the College.

In addition to the new members, NMC board members are Chad Angelmyer, Ronald Banse, Teri Bruening, Loretta Carroll, John Ewing, Ed Finan, Ruth Freed, Dr. Lee Handke, Nick Henderson, Kurt Kline, Kenny McMorris, Greg Opseth, Ann Polich, Sue Rohlfs and Bob Turner.