Friends and family gathered at UCSF to honor 13 people for going above and beyond the call of duty at a Founder's Day ceremony on April 29.
Chancellor Mike Bishop greeted faculty and staff on the festive Friday afternoon thanking the awardees for their superb service at UCSF and in the community at large.
Chancellor's Award for Public Service
The Chancellor's Award for Public Service, established by former Chancellor Philip R. Lee in 1970, annually honors members of the campus community who have performed outstanding service to the community at large. The award grew out of the recognition that students, faculty, and staff make important contributions to the welfare of the community through volunteer public service activities.
The award was presented to three individuals:
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| Wortis |
Naomi Wortis, MD, assistant clinical professor, Family and Community Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center, won the award in the faculty category. Wortis is dedicated to improving the health of underserved communities and to forming and fostering partnerships between UCSF and local community-based organizations.
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| Louie |
Clifton Louie, RPh, DPA, FACHE, executive director of Clinical Services, UCSF Medical Center, won the award in the staff category. Louie volunteers at several health clinics in San Francisco, assisting them with licensing requirements and in providing medicines and consultation to patients who do not have health benefits.
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| Berger |
Omri Berger, a third-year student in the UCSF School of Medicine, won the award in the student category. Berger is recognized for his work on behalf of underrepresented and underserved high school students and as an advocate for social responsibility in medicine.
Chancellor's Award for Exceptional University Service
The Chancellor's Award for Exceptional University Service was created in 1978 by former Chancellor Francis A. Sooy to recognize staff employees in non-supervisory capacities who have consistently performed in their University positions at a level beyond what is ordinarily expected. All recipients share a commitment to excellence and a sense of dedication to their jobs, the campus and the community.
The award was presented to:
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| Lipske |
Ramona Lipske, administrative assistant III, Department of Radiology. She is recognized for independently carrying out complex projects, providing extraordinary customer service and finding creative solutions to improve the functioning of the department. She also is credited for her even temperament and sense of calmness and creativity.
Grace Nonomura, staff research associate II, Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences. Recognized for her high integrity, Nonomura's work is exemplary, whether she is collecting dental specimens, teaching bench-work skills, collaborating with systemwide laboratories, or volunteering to educate high school students about the dental sciences. She is the "reason why such awards are created," noted a nominator.
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| Wong |
Michael Wong, senior physical plant mechanic, Capital Projects and Facilities Management. Wong's resourcefulness, innovation, positive attitude, and dedication have earned him the respect of his peers, supervisors, and all levels of clients in the campus community.
Chancellor's Award for Exceptional University Management
The Chancellor's Award for Exceptional University Management recognizes and rewards outstanding University service among those who have the responsibility to supervise, guide, and lead others, as well as support the strategic goals and values of the University. All recipients share a commitment to excellence and a sense of dedication to their jobs, the campus and the community.
The award was presented to:
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| Eckman |
Doug Eckman, operations manager, UCSF School of Medicine, Dean's Office, San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center. Eckman is credited for his integrity, collaboration and communication skills. Able to handle the dual bureaucracies of UCSF and SFGHMC, Eckman often finds common ground in complex situations. He is strongly committed to encouraging staff to reach their fullest potential, recognizing jobs well done, promoting teamwork and supporting efforts to increase diversity.
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| Schaefer |
Tracy Schaefer, division administrator, Department of Medicine, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC). Schaefer is recognized for doing a spectacular job fostering effective collaboration among three systems, UCSF, SFVAMC and the Northern California Institute for Research and Education. She handles complex management issues while serving as an excellent staff motivator who demonstrates an inspiring leadership style.
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| Tuller |
Ian Tuller, director of Customer Support Services, Information Technology Services. With accomplishments too numerous to mention, Tuller excels in creating and modeling a supportive work environment, most notably through teamwork, collaboration and communication. He is credited for being open, honest and sensitive.
The Distinguished Nurse Award
The Distinguished Nurse Award is presented annually to a professional nurse actively engaged in nursing practice, education, or leadership at the Parnassus or Mount Zion sites of UCSF Medical Center. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the care of patients and fosters professional and public awareness of achievements in nursing practice.
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| Malik |
The award was presented to
Laura Malik, RN, BSN, CDE, home health nurse III, Home Health Care. Malik has served in several leadership roles, ultimately taking the clinical staff lead in the Diabetes Collaborative coordinated by the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, and winning a Quality in Healthcare Excellence award in 2004.
The Helen B. Ripple Award for Excellence in Neuroscience Nursing
The Helen B. Ripple Award for Excellence in Neuroscience Nursing is presented annually to a professional nurse who is actively engaged in the practice of neuroscience nursing at the Parnassus or Mount Zion sites of UCSF Medical Center. The recipient's contribution to the care of neurological and/or neurosurgical patients demonstrates such exemplary practice as to merit recognition from peers and other professional colleagues.
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| Jensen |
The award was presented to
Scott Jensen, RN, BS, clinical nurse II, Neurological Intensive Care Unit. Jensen consistently demonstrates a willingness and ability to share his vast knowledge of neuroscience nursing with his colleagues, while patients and their families benefit enormously from his clinical expertise.
The Jeanne M. Yalon Memorial Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing
The Jeanne M. Yalon Memorial Award, initiated in 1984, is presented annually in memory of the distinguished oncology nurse to recognize dedication and caring service to oncology patients.
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| Mazzini |
The award was presented to
Bridget Mazzini, RN, BSN, clinical nurse III, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator, Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Program. Mazzini serves as mentor for the entire staff of the Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Program and is an advocate for her patients, effectively resolving problems as they arise.
UCSF at Mount Zion Milton and Helen Pearl Award for Outstanding Service
The UCSF at Mount Zion Milton and Helen Pearl Award for Outstanding Service was established by Helen Pearl in 1993 to honor the late Milton J. Pearl, MD, a long-time Mount Zion surgeon and community leader. The award honors a UCSF employee at Mount Zion who has consistently performed at a level beyond what is ordinarily expected. The recipient must have demonstrated exceptional willingness to render additional service of distinction to others.
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| Levy |
The award was presented to
Solange Levy, clinical lab scientist, Mount Zion Clinical Laboratories. With 30 years of service at UCSF at Mount Zion, Levy is recognized as a role model for staff who demonstrates excellence and compassion for coworkers and patients, and epitomizes the work ethic of UCSF Medical Center. She is praised for her integrity and professionalism.
Source & photos: Lisa Cisneros
