by
Lisa Cisneros
Senior Custodian James Ponder Jr. may not have realized his dream to become a Hollywood star, but UCSF rolled out the red carpet anyhow for a man honored with the prestigious Chancellor's Award for Exceptional University Service.
Ponder was one of four recipients of the award for exceptional service and among 11 individuals honored for going above and beyond the call of duty during the 2006 Founders Day Luncheon Awards at the Parnassus campus on Thursday. Chancellor Mike Bishop, MD, presided over the ceremony presenting awards and posing for photos.
Nominated by Susan Janson, RN, DNS, ANP, FAAN, a professor in Community Health Systems in the UCSF School of Nursing, Ponder was hailed by Steve Wiesenthal, campus architect and associate vice chancellor of Capital Projects and Facilities Management (CPFM). Complimenting Ponder for his "wisdom and leadership" in CPFM, Wiesenthal rolled out a symbolic red carpet, noting Ponder's youthful ambition to act and trek from Chicago to California, as he came up to accept his award.
 |
| James Ponder with his friend Adrian Sooy |
"My philosophy has always been to have a positive attitude because life is short and you never know what's around the corner," Ponder said. "From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you."
University Service
Ponder, who received a standing ovation by several people at the luncheon, personifies the outstanding service to the campus as a recipient of the award established by former Chancellor Francis A. Sooy, MD, in 1978. The award annually recognizes staff 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.
 |
| Yolanda James-Miller |
Ponder has gained a reputation at UCSF over the past 33 years as a protector, often checking in with faculty, staff and students who stayed late to see if they were OK while he worked the night shift. He was described by his nominators as a "cheerful, kind and gentle man, as a friend and a guardian angel."
Other recipients of the award for exceptional University service were Yolonda James-Miller, a senior telephone operator in IT Operator Services for UCSF Medical Center; Zoila Kelly, a financial analyst who also works for CPFM; and Anita Skidmore, an administrative assistant for the Pediatric Treatment Center at the medical center.
 |
| Zoila Kelly with Associate Vice Chancellor Steve Wiesenthal |
Mike McGuire, manager of the IT Operator Services, says James-Miller does an "exceptional job" and is known as a "bright, shining star" in assisting the thousands of daily callers to UCSF.
Next month, Kelly will commemorate 31 years of service at UCSF, according to CPFM manager Judy Pelzner, who says Kelly always goes the extra mile, putting in extra hours to meet deadlines. Pelzner described Kelly as "hard-working, patient and diligent," and says her "work ethic is the gold standard" as she works with PG&E to handle the campus utility bills.
 |
| Anita Skidmore and husband Carlos |
Skidmore was praised for her work serving as a compassionate advocate for children coping with cancer and their families who come through the doors at the Pediatric Treatment Center. She was lauded for setting the tone for the "openness, respect, integrity, caring and compassion" and for taking the lead on collecting donations of gifts for children who finish their treatment.
"We can learn a lot from these families," said Skidmore, who noted their appreciation for the small things in life. She thanked her husband Carlos for "working together to keep happiness in our home."
 |
| Glenn Elliott |
Public Service Award
The Chancellor's Award for Public Service, established by former Chancellor Philip R. Lee, MD, in 1970, was awarded to Glen Elliott, PhD, MD, associate professor and director of the Children's Center at Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute (LPPI), in the faculty category; Diana Block, senior analyst in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology unit at the medical center in the staff category; and Janelle Sagmiller Palacios, RN, in the student category.
Elliott is commended for working tirelessly as the founder of Camp Opportunity, a nonprofit organization that helps abused and neglected youths ages 8 to 13 to build self-esteem through a weeklong summer camp experience. Paired with a counselor, the children participate in a number of activities such as photography, dance, swimming and archery. Elliott has led the organization for the past 18 years.
 |
| Diana Block |
Block was saluted for being a founding member of the
California Coalition for Women Prisoners, which helps imprisoned women get the health care they need. She makes bimonthly trips to visit women in prison, and even organized the production of a video to raise awareness for women, including one woman who died of sickle cell anemia while incarcerated.
"The women are a constant source of inspiration and of persistence for demanding that health care is a human right, even for people who are incarcerated," Block said after receiving the award.
Block also is a key member of Women's Building in San Francisco, which works for equal opportunities for women.
 |
| Janelle Sagmiller Palacios with Chancellor Mike Bishop |
A third-year doctoral student in the UCSF School of Nursing, Sagmiller Palacios is credited for her work with the Native American Health Center of Oakland, where she shares her expertise on a variety of health topics, such as hypertension and diabetes. She also coordinates volunteer efforts to encourage youths to pursue higher education as an alternative to a life in plagued by poverty or gang violence. In 2005-06, Sagmiller Palacios resurrected the Native American Health Alliance at UCSF, which aims to improve the retention of Native American students at the University.
University Management Award
The Chancellor's Award for Exceptional University Management annually recognizes and rewards outstanding University service among those who have responsibility to supervise, guide and lead others, as well as support the strategic goals and values of the University.
 |
| Paulette Gregg with her mother Mercedes Ten Napel and son Jeff Gregg |
The award was presented to Paulette Gregg, assistant director in the Cardiovascular Research Institute; Laurel Koepernik, manager in the Department of Psychiatry at LPPI; and Nubia Esmeralda King, RN, a clinical nurse III in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on the ninth floor at the medical center.
Gregg, who has 24 years of UC experience, was praised for her can-do spirit and her service-oriented and professional work ethic. She instills confidence and support in her colleagues, said Homer Boushey, MD, who was speaking for Shaun Coughlin, MD, PhD, director of the CVRI, who could not attend the awards luncheon.
 |
| Laurel Koepernik and husband Jim Sorenson |
Koepernik was recognized by Craig Van Dyke, MD, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and director of LPPI, for being not only a mainstay, but a "legend" in the department as she works to help faculty secure contracts and grants for research and practice. Koepernik was praised for her "attention to detail, incredible depth of technical knowledge, creativity and collaborative teamwork."
 |
| Nubia King |
King, who started working at UCSF in 1970 as a messenger, has risen in the ranks through a number of positions and, after graduating in 1987 with a degree in nursing, joined the clinical staff on 9 ICU, which cares for the sickest of patients. She is known for her skills and compassion, often leading the way to introduce new initiatives, including offering better support for families visiting their loved ones and developing continuity of care to help guide families through the treatment process.
 |
| Margaret Berke |
Mount Zion Award
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 longtime Mount Zion surgeon and community leader. The award annually recognizes a UCSF employee who has demonstrated exceptional willingness to render additional service of distinction.
This year, the Pearl Award for Outstanding Service went to Margaret Berke, a case manager in care coordination at the medical center. Berke was praised for more than 36 years of professionalism in discharge planning, her persistence and creative thinking.
Photos by Lisa Cisneros
