2008 Staff Award Recipients
This year’s Staff Awards program garnered many nominations. The choice was difficult, but the result is a group of individuals who represent the great work our entire Medical School staff do, each and every day. Congratulations to all awardees and honorees.
Support Staff Member of the Year
Janet Hoff, LVT, LATG, Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology
In her position as the coordinator for the Center for Integrative Genomics, Ms. Hoff has taught several hundred trainees, sharing with them her ability to expertly perform the difficult tasks of small animal surgical manipulations. Her work allows researchers to implement their tests, aid and facilitate their grant aims, and accomplish their goals in a timely and professional manner. As one nominator says, “Janet’s value to U-M and our larger communities is exemplified by her respect for people, their projects and the animals in her care.”
Honorable Mentions
- Richard Griggs, MBNI
Many investigators describe Mr. Griggs as an excellent machinist and craftsman who has a real feeling for basic science research and its processes. As an intermediate tool design engineer, he is responsible for the design, fabrication and repair of scientific equipment and supplies. He has played such a major role in their research that many researchers regard him as a valued collaborator. - Barbara Blackstone, Office of Medical Education
Ms. Blackstone’s responsibilities include managing complex schedules and serving as the point of contact for faculty, staff, students and visitors. Her innovations have led to improved documentation and oversight of expenses, allowing supervisors and staff to monitor time off accurately and significantly reducing paper waste. Her commitment to developing and leading OME’s wellness activities has positively affected the lives of the office’s 40 staff. - Brenda Livingston, Neurology/Sleep Lab
Ms. Livingston is responsible for managing all aspects of the day-to-day clinical functioning of the Sleep Disorders Laboratory. Each year, Ms. Livingston helps thousands of patients navigate a laboratory, department and medical center – deftly educating patients about what to expect, where to go, what to avoid before testing and what will happen afterwards. As one physician says, “many patients forget the names of their clinical providers, but they always remember Brenda.”
Professional Staff Member of the Year
Carol Standardi, R.N., Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Ms. Standardi began her 43-year career at U-M as a staff nurse on Floor 12 of University Hospital. Her many accomplishments include success as the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences’ JCAHO compliance and Infection Control Officer. In this role, she ensures all Ophthalmology areas are continuously ready for onsite surveys and have the National Patient Safety Goals integrated into their processes in order to maintain the safest environment for patient care. As one colleague says, “The goal of ‘continual readiness’ is as close as it can be under Carol’s leadership.”
Honorable Mentions
- Trish Meyer, Depression Center
As program manager for education and outreach, Ms. Meyer plans and manages all education activities for the Depression Center. Known for her excellent work on the Depression on College Campuses Conference, which brings 400 national participants to U-M, and as lead for the Depression Center Colloquium Series, Ms. Meyer consistently demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness in her extensive outreach efforts within the Health System, across campus and throughout the U.S. - Paul Saxman, MICHR
Mr. Saxman provides technical analyst leadership on all MICHR Clinical Research Informatics Core projects. Last year, Mr. Saxman helped create the U-M Research Portal. This year, he was instrumental in developing two informatics proposals that will receive more than $775,000 in extramural funding. His mentorship of an undergraduate computer science student for an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program project in the Medical School played a dominant role in winning a UROP Poster Award of Excellence. - Michael Warden, MSIS
Mr. Warden has helped MSIS – and other University organizations that interface with MSIS – to look at their processes in new ways in order to make significant improvements. Many regard him as an excellent bridge between technical and non-technical people, translating and restating difficult terminology into understandable language, while respecting opinions and perspectives from everyone, and taking the time to explain the pros and cons of his solutions.
Administrator of the Year
James Bell, Department of Surgery
During Mr. Bell’s 30-year career with the Health System, he has been known for fairness, integrity and hard work – the kind of leader who builds others’ confidence and self-esteem, challenging them to set goals and providing the resources to achieve these goals. As chief administrator for Surgery, Mr. Bell leads by example. His staff and colleagues say he leads with “an open door, an open mind and an open heart” and describe him as a visionary leader, deeply committed to the institution and its people.
Honorable Mentions
- Dorene Markel, MICHR
Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Markel identified the need for a Web-based tool that allows U-M patients and community members to search for clinical research studies in which they may be eligible to participate. She gathered stakeholders, including faculty and staff from across the campus, defined the problem and proposed a solution. Two years later, the Engage Web Portal is the envy of other academic medical centers. - Glenn Hiller, MSIS
Mr. Hiller has grown the Medical School’s information technology support organization from a one-man operation to an organization that employs nearly 60 people involved in providing a full range of quality IT services. He was also instrumental in building a strategic reporting system that allows UMMS administrators to track everything from real-time operating margins to the number of research dollars required to support facility space. - Quinta Vreede, Family Medicine
Ms. Vreede moves seamlessly between her dual roles as clinical department administrator for Family Medicine and Health Center administrator for Ambulatory Care. She is responsible for the clinical operations of six outpatient sites, three inpatient services, 146,000 visits and 2,500 discharges per year. She puts incredible energy into staff and faculty satisfaction and support, while managing a complex set of financial and administrative processes.