2019 Academic Affairs Award Recipients

July 31, 2019 - Office of Academic Affairs

Implementing a new curriculum that completely changed how we prepare medical students highlighted the incredible team we have in the college. Academic Affairs has not previously had its own awards or an awards committee, and it seems past time to start a tradition of giving out awards for the work people do. To recognize individuals and teams who demonstrated exceptional work, we formed an awards committee who created seven awards. Last spring the committee reviewed incredible nomination letters with each application, and we are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2019 Academic Affairs awards.

Early Success Awards - Staff

The Early Success Award recognizes individuals new to Academic Affairs (less than 3 years) who have demonstrated passion for the educational mission, commitment to our work and skills/abilities that are important to meeting the needs of our educational program.

Mark Roosien
Academy

The committee noted that Mr. Roosien’s teamwork and community building, professionalism and system’s perspective have contributed to the successful roll-out of the Shared Discovery Curriculum.

“Mark is always asking questions and finding ways to improve what we do. During staff meetings Mark offers suggestions to the Academy Director and team; he isn’t afraid to speak up and share his ideas. He takes the lead on projects without hesitation.”

“Mark’s skill set is amazing; he is always interested in learning more. Among with being creative and technologically savvy, Mark is highly organized, self-directed and reliable. No task scares him and no task is beneath him.”

“Mark grew real mutton chops in honor of our namesake, Justin Morrill. I would say that makes him the ultimate team player. Mark engages in so many ways with the life of the College.”

Early Success Awards - Faculty

Robert Malinowski
Assessment and JustInTime Medicine

The committee was impressed by Dr. Malinowski’s multiple contributions to the new curriculum in the short time that he has been with the college.

“He stepped into this role seamlessly, demonstrating a strong capacity for working in a complex environment where the task isn’t always clear. His early successes include his ability to intuitively prioritize, meet deadlines, encourage people effectively and create great products.”

“He is open to learning and models curiosity and excitement. Rob has a fantastic ability to work across disciplines and with multiple ‘bosses."

“He has eagerly accepted growing responsibility and authority for projects.”

Staff Excellence Award

The Staff Excellence Award recognizes Academic Affairs staff who demonstrate excellence in overall job performance “above and beyond what is expected,” outstanding interpersonal skills and working relationships, contributions to unit/campus that lead to efficiency, effectiveness or other improvements, and contributions to Academic Affairs (committees, outreach, projects or other efforts).

Ann Taft
Office of Medical Education Research and Development (OMERAD)

The committee wanted to recognize the dedication, pride and work ethic that Ms. Taft’s brings to her responsibilities.

“She has been a hidden treasure in OMERAD for a number of years, doing her job and quietly going above and beyond.”

“For years, Ann has led fundraising events in our department. She definitely has a heart for those in need in our community and she encourages the rest of us to care as well!”

“She also now leads the office as a place where we all feel attended to and cared for with support needs.”

“Her skills, effectiveness, responsibility, willingness to help others, and dedication to our office and the college deserve recognition.”

Above and Beyond Award

The Above and Beyond Award recognizes Academic Affairs staff who step up and do what is necessary and consistently work hard in support of the educational mission.

Angela Collier
Southeast Michigan Community Campus

The committee was inspired by her selflessness and her commitment to serve College of Human Medicine students and faculty as well as the local community.

“It is the spirit that she brings to work that supports students and inspires others. She is tremendously kind, funny and always willing to go the extra mile. She s a confidante and informal mentor to many because she has a warm and supportive listening ear.”

“The area that most signifies this award is her commitment to the community. She represented our campus on the Southfield Public Schools partnership council and worked with others to plan a day-long health education fair for the district.”

“She personifies the MSU-CHM commitment to service and community, while skillfully aiding the educational mission through her work.”

“Angela is helpful, caring, resourceful and happy to offer service no matter what the task.”

Community Campus Staff Excellence Awards

Community Campus Staff Excellence Award recognizes staff working in a community campus who demonstrate excellence in overall job performance “above and beyond what is expected,” outstanding interpersonal skills and working relationships, contributions to unit/campus that lead to efficiency, effectiveness or other improvements, and contributions to Academic Affairs (committees, outreach, projects or other efforts).

Erin Saad
Southeast Michigan Community Campus

The committee was impressed by Ms. Saad’s seemingly tireless work with and for the students of our Southeast Michigan campus.

“It is difficult not to understate the profound effect she has had through her work… She is always looking for ways to improve the flow and responsiveness of the office.”

“Her day-to-day excellence has improved preceptor, student and staff satisfaction.”

“She has consistently and excellently risen to every challenge, providing the same high-level of service to a very diverse and demanding group of stakeholders… she inspires me to pursue to excellence in my role.”

“Erin is there for students on a personal level and is passionate about working with them from day one to their final days as medical students. She provides emotional support and guidance; an ear to listen to their concerns. She fights for them when needed and has a firm yet gentle way to let them know when they are in the wrong… Her level of expertise, great team spirit and advocacy of student education are solid”

Julie Katz
Southeast Michigan Community Campus

The committee is impressed by Ms. Katz’s professionalism and teamwork and her thoughtfulness about ongoing quality improvement in the educational program.

“Julie joined our campus very early in our development as a new campus. She has consistently demonstrated her capacity to grow as a professional as our student programs expand in breadth and complexity. More than that, she has, of her own accord, initiated quality improvement projects to further optimize delivery of the curriculum.”

“She is a consummate professional. Her excellent interpersonal and communication skills allow her to form strong and highly effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. She is calm in a storm, supportive of students and staff when they need a shoulder to cry on and always practical and level -headed in her approach to resolving problems.”

“She has a strong work ethic, process improvement insights, masterful management of her clerkships and willingness to assume additional tasks.”

Innovation Award – Team or Individual

The Innovation Award recognizes groups or individuals that have addressed an educational/ administrative need with an innovative solution.

Valerie Overholt, Adrian De Gifis, Jerry Kooiman and Mark Brieve
Southeast Michigan Community Campus and External Relations

The committee wanted to recognize the efforts of this multiunit team in developing a strategic outreach plan for our newest College of Human Medicine community campus to enhance the opportunities for students to engage in service learning.

“This team has certainly broken new ground in terms of a community campus developing a strategic plan for teaming with and for one of our communities.”

“This team has done remarkable work that is a new model for community campus outreach and engagement.… This initiative promises to connect SE Michigan students with the diverse local population in meaningful and impactful ways. In the long term, it is their hope to make it a plan that embraces all APH Medical Education, both UME and GME.”

“This partnership is clearly leading by example, having set clear and reasonable goals, which are measurable and time limited.”

“When first presented to our Medical Director and Board, the plan instantly made sense to them. They were very comfortable and pleasantly surprised…. Secondly, the plan clearly recognizes the changing face of medicine.”