Celebrating Nebraska’s 50 Over 50 Honorees in Healthcare
- 50 OVER 50 NE
- Oct 22
- 6 min read
Celebrating Nebraska’s 50 Over 50 Honorees in Healthcare
Nebraska is home to compassionate leaders who bring people together, strengthen neighborhoods, and create lasting impact through service and connection. The 2025 50 Over 50 Nebraska Awards, presented and powered by The Bloc, celebrates these extraordinary individuals whose dedication to community has helped shape our state’s identity.
Today, we shine a spotlight on our Healthcare Category honorees—leaders who embody compassion, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to improving the health and well-being of Nebraskans. Join us as we celebrate their stories, their impact, and the remarkable ways they continue to advance healthcare and transform lives across our great state.
2025 50 Over 50 NE Awards Event Details:
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown Old Market, 555 South 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68102
Healthcare Category Honoree Spotlights
Each of these honorees has left an enduring mark on Nebraska’s healthcare landscape—improving lives, advancing patient care, and creating meaningful change where it’s needed most. We at The Bloc extend our heartfelt thanks to them all for their compassion, leadership, and dedication. Stay tuned as we continue highlighting the 2025 50 Over 50 Nebraska honorees, category by category.
Meet the Bloc's 2025 50 Over 50 NE Healthcare Honorees
Dr. Evelyn V. McKnight - Audiologist, Author, Founder of HONOReform
Dr. Evelyn V. McKnight, AuD, is a nationally recognized audiologist, patient safety advocate, and tireless champion for preventing medical errors. Her personal journey transformed the landscape of healthcare safety in the United States. In 2002, during treatment for breast cancer, Evelyn contracted hepatitis C from unsafe injections, a devastating experience that sparked her lifelong mission to protect patients and prevent avoidable “never events.”
Determined to turn tragedy into change, Evelyn co-founded HONOReform in 2007, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting safe injection practices. Her advocacy played a pivotal role in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) One & Only Campaign, which emphasizes the use of single-use needles and syringes to protect patients nationwide. Through her work, Evelyn has helped healthcare providers adopt safer practices and has saved countless lives.
Beyond advocacy, Dr. McKnight is an accomplished author. She co-wrote A Never Event, documenting the largest hepatitis C outbreak in U.S. healthcare history, and has developed practical educational tools for healthcare professionals to enhance patient safety. Her influence extends through public speaking engagements, including TEDx talks, where she shares her story to inspire systemic change and empower both patients and providers.
Together with her husband, Evelyn co-established the Evelyn and Thomas McKnight Family Fund for Patient Safety, supporting education initiatives and honoring leaders in infection prevention. Her work bridges the gap between personal experience and systemic reform, demonstrating the profound impact one individual can have on public health.
Featured in major media outlets, Dr. McKnight’s leadership and courage continue to elevate patient safety as a national priority. Her commitment to education, advocacy, and reform reflects a career defined not only by professional excellence but also by compassion and resilience.
Through her pioneering efforts, Dr. Evelyn V. McKnight has created meaningful change in healthcare policy and practice. She embodies the essence of the 50 Over 50 Healthcare honoree: a visionary leader whose dedication, courage, and influence leave a lasting legacy on the well-being of communities across Nebraska and the nation.
Dr. Lance Kugler - Laser Vision Correction Specialist, Founder & CEO of Kugler Vision
Dr. Lance Kugler, MD, is a nationally recognized ophthalmologist and visionary leader in advanced vision care. As the founder and CEO of Kugler Vision in Omaha, he has established a center of excellence that offers all seven FDA-approved laser vision correction procedures, making it the only practice in Nebraska to provide this full spectrum of care.
Inspired by his own LASIK experience, Dr. Kugler pursued advanced fellowship training at the prestigious Wang Vision Institute, where he performed over 1,300 procedures—the highest number in the country at that time. His technical expertise and commitment to patient outcomes quickly earned him recognition as a leader in refractive cataract and laser vision surgery.
Dr. Kugler’s influence extends beyond his clinical practice. He is a founding member and first president of the Refractive Surgery Alliance, an international organization of leading vision surgeons dedicated to advancing the field of refractive surgery. Formerly the Director of Refractive Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, he led education and research initiatives to train the next generation of ophthalmologists and to develop innovative surgical techniques that improve patient safety and results.
While his professional achievements are impressive, Dr. Kugler is equally dedicated to community service. Alongside his wife, Traci, he actively supports efforts to provide vision care for underserved populations, ensuring that high-quality eye care is accessible to all. His work demonstrates a commitment to combining clinical excellence with compassion, improving lives not only through vision correction but also through broader community impact.
Dr. Kugler’s career embodies the qualities of a 50 Over 50 Healthcare honoree: expertise, leadership, and a dedication to innovation that elevates the entire field. His contributions to ophthalmology, education, and patient care have left an indelible mark on Nebraska’s healthcare landscape, inspiring both colleagues and patients alike.
Through his pioneering work, Dr. Lance Kugler continues to advance vision care, mentor emerging leaders, and enhance the quality of life for countless individuals—ensuring that the gift of sight is both accessible and transformative.
Dr. Gary Gard - Clinical Psychologist, Educator
Dr. Gary Gard, Ph.D., is a distinguished psychologist whose career spans nearly four decades of compassionate practice, education, and advocacy in mental health. Earning his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1982, Dr. Gard has dedicated his life to supporting individuals, families, and communities through therapy, education, and professional consultation.
Specializing in marital and family counseling, as well as individual therapy for youth and adults, Dr. Gard is known for his empathetic approach and unwavering commitment to fostering meaningful, lasting change. His expertise also extends to comprehensive psychological testing and evaluations for federal, civil, and criminal courts, in addition to consulting for employers, schools, and fellow mental health professionals. Through these roles, he has ensured that psychological insights translate into practical solutions for both individuals and organizations.
For over 40 years, Dr. Gard has also inspired and mentored the next generation of mental health professionals. As a professor at Iowa Western Community College and adjunct faculty at several local universities, he has earned a reputation as an exceptional educator, combining rigorous academic training with real-world experience to empower students to become skilled, compassionate practitioners.
Dr. Gard’s influence extends beyond the classroom and private practice. An active member of leading psychological associations, he has shared his knowledge through impactful presentations and published works addressing child behavior, parenting, social anxiety, and testing protocols. His contributions reflect a career-long dedication to advancing mental health practices and promoting wellness across Nebraska communities.
Through decades of professional excellence, mentorship, and advocacy, Dr. Gary Gard embodies the qualities of a 50 Over 50 Healthcare honoree: compassion, expertise, and leadership. His work has transformed countless lives, strengthened families, and supported communities, leaving a lasting legacy in both mental health practice and education.
With his lifelong commitment to empowering individuals and promoting psychological well-being, Dr. Gard continues to inspire colleagues, students, and patients alike—demonstrating the profound impact one dedicated professional can have on Nebraska’s healthcare landscape.
Celebrate the Impact of Nebraska’s Healthcare Leaders
The 50 Over 50 Nebraska Awards, proudly presented by The Bloc, Inc., celebrates leaders who make a lasting impact on Nebraska communities. As a Nebraska-based nonprofit, The Bloc is dedicated to strengthening local communities through service, mentorship, and recognition programs, supporting youth, seniors, and families across the state. Since its founding in 2020, The Bloc has launched initiatives like the 20 Under 20 NE Awards and the 50 Over 50 NE Awards, honoring changemakers and civic leaders who inspire others and drive positive social impact.
Rooted in a mission of community development, leadership, and humanitarian service, The Bloc empowers individuals and organizations to thrive while building a stronger, more connected Nebraska. Programs such as the Personal Board of Directors Program provide practical tools, mentorship, and opportunities for community members to engage, lead, and give back, creating meaningful and measurable impact across the state.
As we wrap up this year’s Healthcare category highlights, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Nebraska’s top healthcare leaders. Their dedication, vision, and compassion showcase the power of leadership to create lasting change. Join us in recognizing these trailblazers and honoring their ongoing efforts to build stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities across Nebraska.
Coming Up Next - Spotlight on Honorees in the Nonprofit Category
Swing back by our blog soon to learn about the powerhouse people being honored in the nonprofit category for the Bloc’s 2025 50 Over 50 Nebraska awards.
Want to Get Involved? Click Here to Contacts us and find out how you can join the Bloc team.
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