School of Medicine Staff Award recipients announced

Four School of Medicine Staff Awards were recently given to outstanding employees in recognition of their contributions to the school during the 2016-17 academic year. A reception was held in honor of all School of Medicine Staff Award recipients Thursday, Oct. 19.

Joan Harris Staff Development Award

The School of Medicine recognized Susan Brill as the recipient of the 2016-17 Joan Harris Staff Development Award. The School of Medicine annually awards this honor to a staff member who demonstrates excellence in job performance, significant achievements in leadership, a humanistic approach to work and exemplary service to the school. Brill is the pre-award specialist for the Department of Pathology, responsible for all grant application and pre-award activities for the department. As the recipient of this award, she was given a cash award, a commemorative crystal plaque and her name inscribed on the Joan Harris Award plaque located in the lobby of the Biomedical Research Building.

Staff STAR Award

The School of Medicine awarded Dorothy Canepari the 2016-17 Staff STAR Award. The School of Medicine established the STAR Award to recognize one of their staff members who demonstrates supportive, team-oriented, authentic and respectful—or “STAR”—interactions with others. Canepari is the manager of financial operations in the Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, handling the fiscal operations for both the department and the Center for AIDS Research. As the recipient of the award, she was given a cash award and commemorative crystal plaque.

Staff Diversity Award

The School of Medicine honored Edna Fuentes-Casiano as the recipient of the 2016-17 Staff Diversity Award. The School of Medicine established the Staff Diversity Award to recognize staff members who actively promote diversity and inclusion within the university. Fuentes-Casiano is a research assistant and interventionist for the Mental Health Effectiveness Research Program in the Department of Psychiatry. She is a founding member of the Alianza Latina/Latino Alliance employee resource group and a member of the President’s Advisory Committee on Minorities. As the recipient of the award, Fuentes-Casiano was given a cash award and commemorative crystal plaque.

Staff Mentor Award

The School of Medicine recognized Jay Meyers with the 2016-17 Staff Mentor Award. This award recognizes a School of Medicine staff member who demonstrates outstanding mentorship qualities to other staff. Meyers is a senior research associate in the Department of Pediatrics and acts as a role model to junior staff and faculty. As the recipient of the award, Meyers was given a cash award and commemorative crystal plaque.