Marian Alumna of the Year
Marian High School alumnae are an accomplished group of women. Many have made important contributions to service organizations, to their community and to Marian. In recognition of outstanding efforts by alumnae, Marian recognizes one individual each year with the Alumna of the Year Award. Past award recipients are accomplished, compassionate, strong women who are leaders in their respective fields and represent the values and mission of Marian.
The award recipient is honored at Marian’s Appreciation Mass and Brunch each spring. This annual event is an opportunity for Marian to thank all of those who support her mission and vision.
Dr. Theresa Townley ’82, Marian’s 2009 Alumna of the Year, is a woman of compassion and fortitude. She acts locally and globally to better the lives of the less fortunate.
Growing up in a household of 12, it was likely impossible not to consider about how others affect you and vice versa. Theresa’s parents, Robert and Nancy, instilled in her the value of respect for others and responsibility. Through Bob and Nancy’s example, Theresa learned that she, as one person, can make a positive impact on the lives of others and that it is her responsibility to do so.
Theresa brought this lesson with her when she entered Marian in 1978. It came to life through her service as a member of the Campus Ministry Team, and in particular during the countless hours she spent at the local women’s shelters as a baby sitter.
After Marian, Theresa received a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Creighton University. During college, she spent a year studying abroad in Leuven Belgium, where she discovered an interest in international health. With that, Theresa went to medical school at the University of Minnesota, and specialized in internal and pediatric medicine.
What happens next is quite a story…Theresa joined Doctors without Borders. Doctors Without Borders or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971. MSF provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, and exclusion from health care or natural disasters.
During Theresa’s three years with MSF, she spent time providing direct medical care in Kosovo and south Sudan, and she worked in a hospital and refugee camp conducting clinical work and administrative tasks in Liberia. She bore witness to thousands of people living in conflict and in poverty. Not only did she provide medical care, she also developed a greater understanding of the impossible situations these people faced. In 1999, MSF was awarded the international Nobel Peace Prize. Theresa was one of the thousands of health care providers who was honored by Nobel for her work as part of MSF. Theresa says her experience with Doctors Without Borders was the most personally and medically rewarding of her life.
From there, Theresa went back to school to receive her Masters in Public Health from John Hopkins University.
Today, Theresa is an assistant professor with Creighton University’s School of Medicine in internal medicine and pediatrics, and practices medicine at a Boys Town clinic in south Omaha, where she sees many at-risk patients. Theresa is also actively involved in the Omaha Area Health Education Center (OAEHC), whose mission is to work with Douglas and Sarpy Counties to recruit, educate and inspire underrepresented students’ interested in careers in the health professions as well as encourage health care professionals in providing equitable and quality services to disadvantaged and underserved populations. Once a year, through OAEHC, Theresa gives free school physicals at the Youth Health Extravaganza, and she frequents Marian speaking to in the classroom and inspiring the current students.
Theresa is a selfless giver of her time and talent. Marian is proud to honor her for the hope she brings to the Omaha community and the world.