Mark Laret and Chancellor Bishop
Mark Laret, chief executive officer of UCSF Medical Center, announced the winners of the 2005 Exceptional Physician Awards, which recognizes physicians for exemplary demonstration of the medical center's values in their clinical practice and interaction with patients, faculty and staff. The medical center's values are: professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence.
At the May 9 ceremony, Ernie Ring, chief medical officer, presented the awards to four physicians. They are:
• Audrey Foster-Barber, MD, PhD, chief resident in child neurology;
• Adrienne Green, MD, professor of medicine;
• Daniel Pound, MD, professor of family and community medicine; and
• John Roberts, MD, a professor of surgery and chief of the Transplant Service at UCSF Medical Center.
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| Audrey Foster-Barber, left, accepts an exceptional physician award from Ernest Ring, chief medical officer. |
Chancellor Mike Bishop also was applauded by the medical center community for winning the 2003 National Medal of Science, the nation's highest honor for science and technology. Bishop received the medal for his pioneering work on cancer genes at a White House ceremony on March 14.
Outstanding Service
The Annual PRIDE Awards, selected from among the monthly awardees to recognize an outstanding staff member and manager, went to Donald Espino, principal mechanician, and Daniel Dong, PharmD, director of Pharmaceutical Services.
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| Winner of an annual PRIDE award for staff, Donald Espino, principal mechanician, center, poses with his family and colleagues. |
Espino was described as an exemplary employee whose work ethic is unsurpassed. He was recognized for finding creative and workable solutions for the benefit of all while remaining extremely positive. Espino's many duties include repairing patient beds, suction regulators and crash carts, and in all he does, he is always concerned about patient safety.
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| Also receiving a PRIDE award for managers, Daniel Dong, director of Pharmaceutical Services, receives a hearty handshake from Mark Laret, chief executive officer, while Clifton Louie, executive director, Clinical Services, looks on. |
Dong was lauded as a model manager who demonstrates the highest level of integrity and honesty. He believes in the strength of a diverse workforce and is known for his collaborative approach with pharmacy, physician and nursing colleagues. Dong is also credited with looking for and implementing ways to improve service and finding solutions that most benefit patients.
In addition, 100 employees were recognized from all functional areas of the medical center. These individuals were chosen from a pool of 15,000 THANKS notes received over the past year. The notes are written to praise those who go the extra mile to help patients, faculty or staff.
Longtime Service
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| From left, longtime medical center volunteers Muriel Leland and Emma Kahn stand with Vicki Kleemann, director of Volunteer Services, Deborah Gin-Wong, Volunteer Services coordinator, and Chancellor Mike Bishop. |
Longtime volunteers Muriel Leland and Emma Kahn were honored for their hard work during a special salute. Leland, who volunteers with UCSF at Mount Zion, has provided support for 52 years, and Kahn, who volunteers at the medical center at Parnassus Heights, has contributed 40 years.
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| John Roberts stands with his family, including wife Nancy Ascher, after winning an exceptional physician award. |
Some 1,138 members of the community have volunteered at both locations during the past year, providing 55,575 hours of support in nearly 90 different assignment areas, according to Vicki Kleemann, director of Volunteer Services. All the volunteers were honored during an April 15 reception held during National Volunteer Week.
Medical center leaders also recognized long-term employees for their service and commitment. During the period of April 1, 2004 through Dec. 31, 2004, 339 employees reached milestones of working 10 years and longer.
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| Daniel Pound, center, winner of an exceptional physician award, stands with his colleagues. |
This year, the medical center's Alice Herrera, who could not attend the ceremony, was praised for 50 years of service. Herrera has worked in the Medical Staff Office since its inception in 1978. She is described as a "treasure to the organization" as well as the medical staff functions. She provides a unique perspective of the history, actions and strategies of the medical staff function. Herrera also is recognized for her diligent and thorough work.
Grita Gustafson also was recognized for 45 years of hard work and Arthur White was recognized for more than 40 years of service at the medical center. White is considered the cornerstone of an equipment supply and tracking group within Material Services. He has always been reliable and dedicated to the University and its respective mission. Gustafson is recognized as one of the most conscientious and dedicated technologists at UCSF. She is committed to doing the best work for the sake of the best patient care. There is no detail too small for her to miss and all appreciate her thoughtfulness and cooperative attitude and helpfulness.
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| The first graduates of the Surgical Technology Training Program and holding flowers, are from left, John Briggs, Jennifer Plog, Letitia McFarland and John Cannon. |
David Odato, executive director of Human Resources, also congratulated the first graduates of the Surgical Technology Training Program, which offers employees the opportunity to advance their careers at the medical center by teaching them new skills required to work in the operating room. The first round of graduates included John Briggs, John Cannon, Letitia McFarland and Jennifer Plog.
Photos by Elisabeth Fall
Source: Lisa Cisneros
