The IOWA affords supervisors and co-workers the opportunity to recognize staff for initiative and innovation that have had positive results in their workplace. Nominations are taken twice a year.
A spring reception is held to acknowledge both fall and spring winners and their nominators.
Index of Winners
Fall 2011 Awardees
Individual : : Team
Individual Winners (alphabetical order)
Ben Anzelc. School of Art and Art History. When the Studio Arts programs came under one roof (Old Menards Building) after the flood, Ben (Instructional Service Specialist - Jewelry and Metals) noticed inconsistencies in safety policies and procedures across studios. He has worked over the last four years to change that by developing a safety manual that streamlined hazard communication and protocols, spearheaded the process to find less hazardous and non-toxic alternatives to materials and processes used in various Studio Arts. He helped develop an audit system to assist faculty and students to identify hazards and potential risks. “Site-specific" training is now available plus a safety briefing in each class on the first day. Faculty and students are more safety conscious due to Ben’s efforts and have the tools in place to continue this culture of safety. Nominated by John Anderson.
Teresa Franklin, HCIS. Teresa, Senior Application Developer, saw the time-consuming inefficient process that faced staff to void a parking citation when parking in hospital ramps for a patient visit to a clinic. It wasn’t easy for the patient, or for the Hospital HR staff who spent time accessing patient records to validate the visits. Teresa revamped the process to a win-win, so that UI staff as patients only had to hand their citation and validation or waiver from the clinic to the parking attendant as they left the ramp, it eliminated most of HR staff time, and did not add to Parking and Transportation staff time. Teresa is exploring ways that this process could be extended for other staff parking, e.g. Blood donation, prescription pick-up, etc. Nominated by Kristy Walker.
Gregory Paul Johnson, Language Media Center. As IT Support Consultant, Greg saw that DVDs of guest lectures were not being checked out. He initiated “Video on Demand” webpage to provide access to public lectures by visiting scholars and members of the UI community sponsored by the Division of World Languages, Literature & Cultures to those unable to attend, and to the whole world. Biographies and links provide additional information to viewers. Six hundred web visits have already occurred. Nominated by Sue Otto.
Chris Pruess, ITS-ADMIN INFORMATION SYSTEMS. In 2002, the UI community experienced a dramatic change as we began to use AD (Active Directory) as the central log-in and authorization infrastructure. To communicate and support this change, an ITADmin Community of members from IT central and local service providers was formed. Chris recognized the need for a forum for concerns, feedback, and information sharing for this community as more changes for the whole campus were forecast. As the leader of the monthly meetings, she provided a model of creating engaging agendas that encouraged participation and inclusion of all 90 members. This model is being explored by other CIC schools who are interested in replicating our ITAdmin success that has supported many change initiatives on campus including, campus Exchange e-mail, higher awareness of security, and broad adoption of desktop management services. Chris’ model of communication among IT service providers continues even as she releases her formal leadership role of this important group. Nominated by Guy Falsetti.
Team Winners (alphabetical order)
BONGO Implementation Team. This unique team provided a mobile smart phone application that allows riders to use GPS to locate buses and predict arrival times at bus stops. Recognizing that many riders use multiple systems to arrive at their destination, the UI team approached Iowa City and Coralville administrators to provide a seamless system for riders. All entities focused on customer service and accessibility to information using a variety of formats including LCD monitors. Currently, the average weekly website hits are 30,000 (half from mobile devices) and increases in ridership for all three transit systems. Nominated by Tim Evans and David Ricketts.
Brian McClatchey, Janelle Beswick, Pat Smith, Parking & Transportation
Mark Ahrens, Romy Bolton, Steve Tomblin, Brad O'Meara, Steve Troester, Mike Jenn, ITS
Lance Bolton, CLAS
George McCrory, Facilities Management
Vicky Robrock and Jenn Coleman, City of Coralville
Chris O'Brien and Scott Amlong, City of Iowa City
Fran Hauschild and Teresa Blenner, Nursing. Surprised by the high cost of a stand used in ophthamology surgery, this duo (nurse and surgical technicologist) proposed the use of an in-stock mayo cover stand in its place. They involved their team, asking all members to evaluate. The cost savings is $47.50 per procedure or $29,640 annually. Nominated by Jan Ahrlrichs Hanson.
Fran Hauschild, Teresa Blenner, MOR Ophthamology
SOS Helpline. HCIS staff were not able to respond to requests from users calling for application help at the level they desired. The team developed a new response process when the help desk consultant can't answer a specific question or solve a problem. An email SOS is sent to a group address that is monitored by rotating staff wherever they are in the hospital. Within fifteen minutes, a knowledgeable consultant will respond to a call related to patient care notes and in-basket workflows. The success of this process will expand to all teams in 2012. Nominated by Kristy Walker.
Brien Denning, Elizabeth Lee, Edudzi Etsey, Mary Jo Duffy, Matthew Espy, Todd Zikmund, Mike Henricksen, Ben Mann, Kris Marnin, Laura Norpel, Ben Handley, Josiah Service, Jason Gardner, HCIS
UChoose. Every year, University of Iowa students, faculty and staff participate in a Personal Health Assessment (faculty/staff) or a Health Interests and Practices Survey (students). Approximately 50% of participants are interested in changing their eating habits. The UI has a commitment to providing a healthy and supportive environment for its students, faculty, and staff. Improving the eating and nutritional environment facilitates individual health improvement and generates organizational benefits. However, educating 40,000 students, faculty and staff about making healthy food choices is a challenge. The Healthy Campus Nutrition Advisory Group developed nutrition goals for campus and established guidelines in the areas of food service, vending, communication/education and evaluation. The goals were twofold: 1) To increase the amount of healthy food available in food service and vending in each area, and 2) To create an awareness campaign that made healthy eating an “easy” choice. UChoose is a nutrition awareness campaign that unites the academic and hospital areas of the campus in the goal to promote healthy eating for faculty, staff, students, patients and visitors. UChoose-approved items meet one or more criteria established by the Healthy Campus Nutrition Advisory Group. A “healthy nutrition” graphic of an apple with an “I” was developed as a logo for the UChoose program. Posters, logo on menus and labels, table tents, a Health Fair booth and establishment of the UChoose website have been successful in informing the UI community. Through exit interviews, approximately 50% sampled customers in residence hall dining areas and UIHC dining areas were influenced to purchase the UChoose approved food items. Nominated by Joni Troester.
Healthy Campus Nutrition Advisory Group
Tanya Villhauer, Student Health Service
Joni Troester and Megan Moeller, Organizational Effectiveness
Joan Dolezal and Laurie Kroymann, Food and Nutrition Administration
Greg Black, Food Services Administration
Debby Zumbach and Jim Jetter, Purchasing
Ann Synan, Dental Clinic Administration
Jane Pendergast, College of Public Health - Biostatistics
UChoose Communication and Education Work Group
Heidi Bohall, Student Health Service
Megan Moeller, Organizational Effectiveness
JoAnn Daehler-Miller, UI Wellness
Laurie Kroyman, Food and Nutrition Administration
Beth Fielder, Food and Nutrition Services
UChoose Evaluation Work Group
Kathy Mellen, Health and Human Physiology
Jane Pendergast, College of Public Health - Biostatistics
Fred Kurt, Hillcrest Marketplace
Spring 2011 Awardees
Individual : : Team
Individual Winners (alphabetical order)
Ceasura Hedlund, Pathology. Ceasura, Lead Laboratory Technician, recognized the challenges that children, their families and the nursing staff were experiencing in the Pediatric Lab Clinic and chose to do something. By interviewing staff and the supervisor she made some recommendations about scheduling, developed staff training that eases the child’s blood draw experience, and keeps communication open between staff and leadership. The results are a more enjoyable, more efficient workplace for patients and staff because Ceasura initiated change. Nominated by Kathryne Edwards.
Amy Lage, Neonatal Pediatric Transport. As a nurse, Amy saw the time- consuming inefficient charting process that faced staff who were inputing information about their young patients, including double charting for the state requirements. Amy persisted over several upgrades to make improvements. She sought state permissions about a form change, then partnered with Nursing Infomatics to make further improvements. The current process affords staff the ability to input data en route into Epic so that physicians can read notes in a specific transport field before patient arrival which decreases valuable intake time. Medical staff are enthusiastic about these changes that Amy instigated that increase their ability to better serve these fragile patients. Nominated by Sharon Olson-Comer.
Team Winners (alphabetical order)
Ambulatory Surgery Center Chart Room. This volunteer team recognized that direct patient care may also need to include improvements in space utilization, establishing standard pre-surgery patient information, and developing ways to share communication among staff in the “dreaded” chart room. Using lean techniques learned in an Office of Operations Excellence workshop, this team reviewed the workflow process and made the necessary changes so that staff no longer dread chart room assignments and patients rate high satisfaction in their experience at ASC. Nominated by Julie B. Williams.
Vicki Harkins, Karen Schaapveld, Sheri Parman, Linda Considine, Barb Schmidt, Julie Williams, Ambulatory Surgery Center
CLABSI Reduction Team. Central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) are important and avoidable errors when acquired during healthcare delivery. CLABSI rates at UIHC were not declining despite many efforts using recommended practices over the last years. This team reviewed a point prevalence study of two units with high rates of CLABSI. By listening to front-line caregiver input and scrutinizing the results of the study, the team saw that other elements were present: the use of numerous stopcocks, tubing left on past recommended change time because time was not noted, and a need to reinforce extending the time scrubbing the hub of the IV line before entry. The use of these new practices have nearly eliminated CLABSI in these two units. Nominated by Karen Dillon.
Stacy Coffman, CQDPI
Karen Dillon, Deb Bohlken, Kelly Petrulevich, Nursing
Clinical Data Exchange. The use of electronic medical records shared between medical facilities is just in its infancy. Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines refers many Iowa Care patients to UIHC specialty clinics. Manual processing to transmit, receive and file clinical data by staff at both sites was becoming overwhelming. This team provided cutting edge development of a data exchange system that allows for faster referral appointments, timely data in medical records, and affords more time for staff to dedicate to other patient responsibilities. Staff are encouraging other sites to join this data management system. Nominated by Lee Carmen.
Tom Alt, Brian Denning, Teresa Lane, Dale Wilhelm, Health Care Information Systems
Christy O’Leary, Cynthia Doyle, Jolyn Morgan, Ambulatory Care Services
Noteservice/UI Capture. Four years ago, students ran a lecture note service using paper transcriptions; today that service has evolved into a system of partnerships that supports the electronic capture of audio and projected material for nearly 850 plus lectures in 17 courses needed by medical students and physician assistant students. UI Capture is expanding to include class meetings, clinical Grand Rounds training events, non-medical courses and continuing education offerings with the training and support to sustain this growth. The system was particularly responsive during the February 2011 blizzard when students could access information from faculty who provided their lectures, eliminating the scheduling of make-up sessions. Nominated by Hugh Hansen.
Stephanie Anderson, Ed Nealson, Shannon Manley, College of Medicine Information Technology
Annette Beck, Information Technology Services
Annette Griffin and Hugh Hansen, College of Medicine, Office of Student Affairs and Curriculum
Pharmaceutical Care/IPDDR. Iowa Prescription Drug Donation Repository Program is a statewide program that makes available prescription medications to uninsured or underinsured individuals. Wenda and Mary Jo, pharmacists at the Medication Assistance Center, initiated the process for their center to be a member of this program until longer term solutions can be found to assist patients in accessing necessary prescriptions. Patients are able to leave the hospital sooner with medications in hand, or avoid rehospitalization due to lack of medication. Due to program processes, Wenda and Mary Jo are required to order and update the lists manually. Because Wenda and Mary Jo acted, pharmacy students now have experience using this necessary program that assists thousands of Iowans, staff are relieved to be able to access medication for their patients, and patients are able to get medication that is important for their health. Nominated by Rebecca Weatherford.
Wenda Ostrem and Mary Jo Abbott, Pharmaceutical Care
Fall 2010 Awardees
Individual : : Team
Individual Winners (alphabetical order)
Marcene Bailey, Food and Nutrition Services. The A la Carte Room Service offered 71 menus to choose from to hospital patients. Marcene Bailey offered to create a database of menu items to replace the 71 documents. She coded items, such as Heart Healthy or not to be included due to egg allergy so that patient menus can easily be generated that provide safe options for that particular patient. Staff value the time saved using just 11 menus that can be tailored easily and printed as needed. Nominated by Bridget Drapeaux.
Kent Becker, Pathology. The Joint Commission requires verification of competency assessment activities for physicians. Kent Becker developed a methodology that is now used for all faculty in Anatomic Pathology to capture that information, in addition to peer review participation. The system invites replication by other departments interested in easily tracking regulatory requirements and providing a central location to view data reporting that informs faculty and medical leadership. Nominated by Heidi Nobling.
Pam Bullers, Belin-Blank Center. For 13 years, Pam Bullers has spearheaded the center’s ongoing commitment to recycling and stewardship. Her initial advocacy and perseverance has provided an environment that now unites staff and students to personally recycle. Seeing Pam in action energizes students to acknowledge that one person can make a difference in promoting a sustainable future. Nominated by Laurie Croft.
Kristine Miller, Health Care Information Systems. An upgrade of the 1980’s “mixed and not matched” furnishings were needed in our office of 54 staff. Kristine Miller took the initiative to plan and implement a project that utilized recycled furniture from another area that she had discovered was being remodeled for patient care. In three phases over 9 month’s time, her plan did not disrupt the originating department or HCIS. Furnishings destined for storage or surplus are now improving our environment. Nominated by Robert Stewart.
Fatollah (Shapour) Riahi, Pathology. Our lab was experiencing financial challenges. Shapour Riahi decided to find ways to save money for the lab by “shopping around” for laboratory supplies as he completed his lab duties. He searched for competitive prices, looked for discarded equipment from other labs, networked with other labs so they would keep our lab in mind when changing equipment and used University surplus. So far he has saved the lab at least $100,000. Nominated by Cassie Dohrn and Jennifer Kroeger.
R. Alfredo Siochi, Radiation Oncology. Radiation oncology residents needed some assistance to be able to pass the physics component of their boards. Alfredo Siochi developed a specialized preparation course that uses Turning Technologies (clicker technology) that has increased student success as it informs him when he needs to adjust instruction during the class. Also, in support of the success of residents, he developed a specialized database that is accessible to faculty and students to track completed procedures and collect comments from staff and students. Nominated by Ryan Flynn.
Team Winners (alphabetical order)
Call Center, Core Laboratory, Pathology. Phone calls interrupted the laboratory testing done by Medical Laboratory Scientists. Using a call center model, unusual in the lab environment, Core Labs is providing quality customer-focused service to providers and physicians. Under the direction of Lori Austin and the training and quality support of Michael Roth, responsibilities that can be done well by the call center staff have been transferred, allowing MLS staff to focus on patient testing (comments taken from survey results). Lori is instrumental in guiding the laboratory from a service-based model of producing test results toward an information based model -- pushing out data to clinicians in a customer-focused and pro-active manner.
Nominated by Sue Zaleski.
Lori Austin and Michael Roth, Pathology
CDA Process. The Provost’s Office was interested in a paperless system for the Career Development Awards application and review process. Staff from the Provost Office and CLAS collaborated to plan and implement how to use the SharePoint application so that it would be secure, easy to use for staff and review committees, and open to the appropriate group in the established timeframe. The success of this process leads to expansion to all UI colleges next year. Nominated by Linda Maxson and Tom Rice.
Susan Moore, Office of the Provost
Kristina Yows, Office of the Provost
Mark Fullenkamp, CLAS Dean’s Office
Billie Townsend, CLAS Dean’s Office
Materials Management, Core Lab, Pathology. The inventory system is now developed and managed by non-scientific staff who use a systems approach to supply chain management. Innovations include: a visual control system to organize and manage supplies (often requested by others in the hospital to tour), development of a database that tracks reagent use and determines re-order points, and construction of a database to manage capital service and reagent agreements for over 30 pieces of lab equipment. Two additional lab sections have been added to their responsibilities with a total supply budget of 18.5 million dollars. Nominated by Judy Elleson.
Sue Zaleski, Lisa Draholzal-Pooley, David Frederick, Pathology
Oakdale Migration Project. In order to raze Oakdale Hall, 40% of its occupants needed to be relocated into yet undetermined spaces. In 11 months, this team identified appropriate space on campus through meetings with tenants and leadership, sought Board of Regents approval, developed construction documents, furniture needs, IT requirements and the logistics plan for moving. All 12 units were successfully relocated to the BioVentures Center at a net savings of $800,000 and the long term impact of moving units to more energy efficient space on campus. Nominated by Cheryl Reardon.
Kristine Kluseman, FM, Design & Construction
Diane Machatka, Facilities Management
George Stumpf, ITS-Enterprise Infrastructure
Kelli Grey, Public Health Administration
James Beal, non-staff, Ryan Companies
School of Music Web Team. Staff from CLAS Administration worked with the School of Music marketing manager to redesign a website that provides information and interactivity to students, faculty, staff and other music lovers. The website’s role has been extended to be a depository of essential forms for student use, a source for recital and rehearsal schedules and ensemble opportunities, and includes unique features like the Musicians Classified, Wiki and Facebook. Their work would have cost the School of Music approximately $30,000. Nominated by Kayt Conrad.
Mark Fullenkamp, CLAS Administration
Sharon Lyle, CLAS Administration
Rick Porter, CLAS Administration
John Hawn, CLAS Administration
Sue Orhon, School of Music
Seamans FM Custodial Team. Due to recent successful outreach efforts, the UI student organization Multi-Ethnic Engineering and Sciences Association (MESA) increased the number of 3rd-12th grade students they were tutoring to twice as many- 80-105. Past spaces in Seamans Center were overcrowded, especially at mealtime. The custodial team approached MESA with some suggestions to accommodate the over 100 visitors a week. They found other areas to use, suggested meals in shifts, offered to clean tutoring areas off their regular scheduled plan, provided extra waste containers, and watched for lost children’s items. Through weekly meetings with MESA staff and student leaders, custodial staff ensured a positive experience for visitors to Seamans Center for young students from underrepresented groups in our community. Nominated by Natalie Potter.
Doug Wagg, Doug Stastny, Kendra Martin, Jerry Vana, Russell Tang, Mike Dillon—Facilities Management Custodial Services (3A)
VAP Busters Team. Ventilator-related pneumonia (VAP) is a serious hospital acquired infection that poses a significant health risk to patients who require mechanical ventilation. A multi-disciplinary team was charged with implementing best practices for the prevention of VAP in the SICU. They developed a highly creative educational program called VAP Busters that contains printed materials, VAP Busters T-shirts, a VAP Busters Month, and a YouTube video developed and produced by the team. A number of other institutions have emulated the UIHC video. In conjunction with other elements, the rate of VAP is decreasing. Nominated by Tom Persoon.
Trisha Schultz and Neana Clark--CQSPI
Lindsay Miller, Kelly Ernst, Jamison Prickett, Ann Bockelman, Denise Grafft and Sara Caven—UIHC Nursing
Spring 2010 Awardees
Individual : : Team
Individual Winners (alphabetical order)
Ryan Daedlow, Stead Technology Services. Scheduling with an academic advisor was sometimes problematic—students had to call during office work hours to speak with a staff person. Ryan created an online advising application for the Tippee College of Business that allows a student to set up their own appointment. Soon, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Programs & Services, and the Academic Advising Center approached Ryan to collaborate to customize the application to meet their needs. Interfacing with Outlook, the application can include reason for visit and any notes needed for the advisor to view. Since January, 9700 appointments have been scheduled by students in these three areas and frees up staff for other necessary tasks. Nominated by Jim Chaffee, Peter Hubbard, Pat Mason-Browne, and Mark Fullenkamp.
Linda Van Natta, CDD/Community Circle of Care. As a parent consultant working with children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families, Linda has provided full wrap around services that support client changes and address the needs of their caregivers. This collaborative approach is contagious—Linda is assisting other clinics and co-workers in using a systems approach that responds to a variety of needs and might include accessing job interviewing clothing, donated hairstyling and resume assistance so that a family can stabilize financially while supporting a child challenged by emotional disturbances. Nominated by Gloria Klinefelter.
Team Winners (alphabetical order)
Access Services Delivery Advisory Panel. This panel recognized a need to enhance user access to items in the University Libraries collections, e.g. books, journals, government documents, etc. They developed an online request and campus mail office delivery service. Well over 1,000 items per month are being delivered and usage is growing. Equal numbers of usage by faculty and grad students and remainder by staff, honors students and undergraduates indicate the success of this service that overcomes the barrier of different schedules and locations for people needing resources for curricular, research, clinical and life-long learning purposes. Nominated by Hope Barton.
Kathy Battin, Printing and Mailing
Leo Clougherty, Biological, Geosciences & Physics Libraries
Patrick Hogan, Libraries Facilities
Cheryl Huyck, Main Library
Lind LoCoco, Hardin Library
Amy Paulus, Main Library
Kathy Penick, Main Library
Admissions Team, College of Dentistry. This team collaborated to develop and implement a new process to provide on-campus interviews. They initiated nine specific days that mixed other applicants together for a day rich in programming that included a tour led by current students, a research presentation, lunch with faculty and staff, and the interview itself. They engaged 15 additional faculty and staff in the interview process with an examination of the questions, review of application process and review in the works. This team worked from the perspective of the student to provide new and better ways to interview and engage students in UI Dentistry. Nominated by Cathy Solow.
Elaine Brown, Admissions, College of Dentistry
Jan Lawler, Admissions, College of Dentistry
Carrie McKnight, Faculty, College of Dentistry
Biomedical Series. The Research Professional Development Work Team was charged to identify competencies that would enhance the mobility of the UI research staff, e.g. to be aware of current topics in research, the qualities and diversity of research done at UI, and provide interaction with leading investigators. The Biomedical Series, a first of its kind at the U, was proposed to cover Core Technologies, Core Disciplines, Major Disease topics and Personal Development. Each of the 119 enrolled chose three courses in each of those four areas. Feedback from a survey indicates learning in all these areas, and the call to continue similar series for research staff. Nominated by Dorian Walker.
Diana Boeglin, Purchasing
Sean Hesler, Learning & Development
Cheryl Hoogerwerf Reardon, Office of VP for Research
Ruth Hurlburt, Organizational Effectiveness
Kenneth Moore, Central Electron Microscopy
Randy Nessler, Central Electron Microscopy
Kristine Sigsbee, Physics & Astronomy
Center for Diversity and Enrichment Staff Recognition Committee. When it was announced that three units were merging, a staff person suggested that staff need to get to know each other to work together and a committee was formed with three volunteers. They initially focused on fun activities (field trips to the Medical Museum, bowling and pottery making), and morphed into Staff Recognition Committee to support co-worker recognition. Merging and changing are two challenging issues in the workplace, however, when individual staff from different units use their creativity and collaboration to provide fun, appreciation and co-worker recognition, the whole group coalesces. Nominated by Nancy Humbles.
Chris Slauson, Upward Bound
Brooke Paulsen, Student Support Service
Gabriela Rivera, Center for Diversity and Enrichment
College of Education Staff Council. This staff council took the charge of developing shared governance within COE with great intent as they reviewed other models and discussed what would be critical to their college. The result is a sustaining process and structure that includes: use of a variety of communication modes to inform staff, a FAQ series to inform and provide feedback on current issues (e.g. the Buck Report, Proposed Benefit changes, Sustainability at UI), representation at COE Administrative Council, discussion of utilization of Working at Iowa results, etc. Members of the council are working to inform staff across the campus about their process. Nominated by Chris Annicella.
Doug Allaire, Education Technology Center
Barb Campbell, Curriculum Laboratory
Laurie Croft, Belin-Blank Center
Jennifer Jones, Center for Advanced Studies in Measurement
Kathy Mossman, Teaching and Learning
Jim Stachowiak, Counseling, Rehabilitation & Student Development
Jim Verry, Educational Placement Office
Jan Warren, Belin-Blank Center
Histopathology Lab Process. The error rate for slides of tissue at the histopathology lab needed to be decreased to avoid rework by a Pathologist or staff and the ensuing delay time for result reporting. Past efforts had not provided sustaining improvement. This time, Kent and Melissa included Terese and Jayne, front line technicians, in the root cause analysis, the brainstorming for solutions, design of a quality checkpoint, implementation and evaluation. The success of the pilot made acceptance of the quality check easy and the lab has gone over 100 days without error. Accessing front line knowledge and creativity will now be used in other problem solving done in the lab. Nominated by Heidi Nobiling.
Kent Becker, Melissa Jans, Terese Nelson, Jayne Wiehoff, Anatomic Pathology
Secure Environment for CLAS Computers. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has over 2100 computers serving faculty and staff. Managing security threats had become a huge effort. Rick Bennett and Steve Carneol developed software tools and processes built upon ITS’ System Center Configuration Manager to improve installing of Window systems, providing automated software updates and hardware and software inventory records. On the MacIntosh side, Scott Frederick was integrating a parallel platform. Beginning with student labs and grad student workstations, the deployment has expanded as faculty and staff (now at 85%) see that the system improves security and lessens individual time involvement in managing desktop computers. In addition, security threats may be more quickly identified and updates provided. Nominated by Aletia Morgan.
Rick Bennett, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences IT Group
Scott Frederick, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences IT Group
Steve Carneol, ITS Enterprise Client Management Group
Standardized Patient Process Upgrade. Through the use of Standardized Patients, third and fourth year medical students practice patient interactions and are recorded for assessment. This group recognized a need to streamline the process of scheduling, recording, playback, archiving, and recording faculty feedback to students. They began investigating systems to provide that integration. Using WebSP provides all of that including electronically controlled cameras, online assessments, internet linkage so that any room with camera and computer may be used, and the ability to provide a longitudinal record of each medical student’s clinical skills. Nominated by Hugh Hansen.
Barbara Brown, Ellen Franklin, George Bergus, Office of Medical Student Affairs and Curriculum
Sysmex Process Improvement Team. The Core Hematology Laboratory was the first in North America to use the XE5000 HST instrumentation system that provides a fully automated line for cell counting, slide making and data processing. Seven volunteers developed the process and workflow of the system tailored for the lab, tested and debugged, documented the standardized processes, and trained 42 staff to use the new automated technology. They continue to improve processes using this vast system. An increase in workload from 650 samples/day in 2007 to 1000/day in 2010 is more easily managed due to the continuous process improvements of this team. Nominated by Mary Capper.
Tami Bebber, Roxanne Bohlke, Mary Capper, Dena Decker, Deb Drees, Pam Goldsmith, Mary Kline, Julie Kruger and Cory Clark, Pathology-Hemotology
Dean Aman, HCIS
Threat Assessment Team. The University of Iowa was given the task by the Board of Regents to establish a means of investigation and monitoring of potential threats to the UI Community. A committee hired Peter Berkson and Jane Caton as threat assessment specialists to provide an integrated, coordinated process for identifying and responding to students, faculty, staff and other individuals on campus who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. Peter and Jane studied several threat assessment models and designed the distinctive UI model based on the collaboration across their distinct disciplines to provide safety for the campus and a therapeutic response to those in need. They provide education and training to the campus in how to identify and report concerning behavior, investigate concerns, provide tailored interventions to all who may need support, i.e. the troubled person, co-workers, faculty and classmates, and follow up to discern how people are managing. They have responded to over 200 reports in the first year using this collaborative model that reflects the Iowa Promise- maintain a safe, supportive, healthy, and humane environment. Nominated by Bill Searls and Teresa Kulper.
Peter Berkson, Public Safety
Jane Caton, Organizational Effectiveness
White Boards Task Force. According to Press Ganey surveys, a major concern expressed by patients and families was that communication was lacking between caregivers and the patient/family. The taskforce decided to use White Boards in every patient room to assure that patients are well informed of their caregivers’ names, name of multidisciplinary team, test/procedures to be completed, goals, estimated discharge date, and instruction for home care. This information flow has increased patient satisfaction with nurse and doctor communication and is adding to satisfaction with length of stay. Nominated by Joelle Jensen.
Randall Aitchison, Patient Representatives
Randy Fry, Operational Improvement
Laura Mason, Procurement Services
Jane Zukin, Strategic Communication
Nursing: Marcy Clark, Jenniffer Carpe, Suzanne Hammer-White, Kelly Petrulevich, Carol Strabala, Rhonda Evans, Deb Bohlken, Mary Sauers, Cheryl Bombei, Theresa Jennings, Jennifer Long, Kim Lopez, Carol Johnson, Tami Barrett and Marcia Gingerich
Fall 2009 Awardees
Individual : : Team
Individual Winners (alphabetical order)
Natasha Wilson Boland, International Programs. Natasha has enhanced current strategies and utilized new strategies to foster greater communication and engagement for the 450 undergraduates in the international studies program. Natasha assured students studying abroad through a special newsletter of the progress of the recovery of the campus flood; she created a Facebook fan page to keep students informed of lectures and events; developed a World Affairs Career series with the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council; expanded the IP Student Funding Expo that connects students to funding opportunities, and enlarged the Graduation Reception and Honors Poster Session to further showcase undergraduate research. Nominated by Martha Greer.
Charles Brenner, Biochemistry. In his brief time as head of the department, Dr. Brenner has used a variety of strategies to encourage communication and collaboration: pairing new members with existing members who introduced them to department, faculty presenting research in the workshop series, encouraging grad students to host a movie for all faculty and students about the process of becoming a scientist, and designating a time and place for individuals to gather and talk about their research three times a week. These numerous small changes have generated a sense of renewal for Biochemistry. Nominated by Lori Wallrath.
Austin Davis, Pathology. In response to a request to staff to find cost savings, Austin researched the costs and regulatory requirements for arm preps and suggested that the Blood Center adopt Choraprep as the primary donor arm scrub and change to less expensive alcohol swabs for therapeutic phlebotomy patients. Austin’s example of evaluating and helping change two standard operating procedures has resulted in an annual cost savings of about $3,740. Nominated by Laura Collins.
Team Winners (alphabetical order)
College of Liberal Arts and Science STAR Volunteer Program, Staff Recognition Committee. To support the engagement goal of the UI’s Iowa Promise and to recognize the CLAS staff for humanitarian, civic or other volunteer efforts, the committee created this recognition program. The program offers an online form, a certificate of recognition presented by Dean Maxson and a listing on the CLAS website. Efforts vary from initiating food drives to donations of time/money/items to the development of a photo and video documentary used to inform the nation of the impact of the 2008 flood. Nominated by Nancy Fick.
Laura Kastens, American Studies and Women’s Studies
Peter Hubbard, CLAS Academic Programs & Services
Kathy Forbes, Division of Performing Arts, Dance
Jessie Trepanier, Phillips Hall Group
Kathy Reeves, Division of Performing Arts, Music
Dana Lange, Psychology
Nancy Fick, CLAS Dean’s Office
Ginny Ockenfels, CLAS Dean’s Office
Aaron Votroubek, Physics & Astronomy
Marlea O’Brien, Communication Sciences & Disorders
Rethy Krishnamurthy, CLAS Dean’s Office
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Web Design Pilot, Web Services Group. This group used the strategy of a pilot project to assist two departments in redesigning their websites so that they: adhere to federal accessibility standards, maintain a UI identity standard, use web design principles of easy navigation, content organization and text design, and are easier to update by department. The pilot’s process and successful collaboration has lead other departments to request a redesign so that the goal of all 40 departments in CLAS having meet the goals of the pilot may be realized. Nominated by Barbara Yerkes.
Mark Fullenkamp, CLAS Web Services
Sharon Lyle, CLAS Web Services
Richard B. Porter, CLAS Web Services
Furlough Resume Bank Team. When non-organized professional and scientific staff were furloughed, they did not know how to find other units who might have needs for their skills. This team established a resume bank on Sharepoint that allows staff to post their qualifications in a secure environment and where senior HR Leaders may look for talent. Using the furlough networking policy, a unit may waive the search process. Sixteen employees have been hired through the furlough networking program through the use of the resume bank since July, 2009. Nominated by Kevin Ward.
Robert Millsap, Compensation & Classification
Trevor Glanz, Compensation & Classification
Patrick Gilpin, Compensation & Classification
Pat Cowles, IMFO
Diane McGriff, Student Financial Aid
Main OR- East Space Team, Perioperative Nursing. When the Main Operating Room expanded to include 6 additional ORs, the staff found the space to be used inefficiently. An interdisciplinary team was formed that implemented a complete overhaul of the space and inventory. Results include: footprint of supplies decreased by 42%, hallways cleared, supplies stocked at appropriate levels, staging area for case carts designed, and staff who are able to work more efficiently. Nominated by Kylie Weber.
Lisa Feeney, Team Leader, Nursing MOR
Mike Murphy, retired, CSS
Charles Greer, CSS
Lori Fevold, Nursing MOR
Kristy Stahle, Nursing MOR
Sheila McKinley, Nursing MOR
Tara Meyer, Nursing MOR
Paula Francis, Nursing MOR
Medical Students Counseling Center. The center staff have implemented increased programming to enhance student success including workshops on: how to succeed in specific courses, time management, student wellness, improving reading comprehension and how to read difficult test questions. In addition, personal counseling access has increased from 665/year to 300 in October with a satisfaction increase of 13.2 % in just 3 short years succeeding the national average by 15%. During a site visit, the team commented on the excellence of the counseling center. Nominated by Christopher Cooper.
Christine Cork, Eran Hanke, Sandy Tomas—Medical Students Counseling Center
NSF Day Team—Office of the Vice-President for Research. In an innovative and cost-saving event, these staff hosted a program at the UI that afforded 300 participants from 17 institutions across Iowa to connect with National Science Foundation representatives and information about NSF possibilities. This was initiated when travel monies were not readily available, yet NSF funding was. Arising from this event is a collaboration of Regents’ institutions for a multi-million proposal that is currently under review by the NSF. Nominated by Ann Ricketts.
Cheryl Ridgeway, Leslie Weatherhead, Sue Burlingame—Office of the Vice President of Research
Tracking FMLA Team. This team developed an application to track FMLA in UHIC-HR. The leave management process is enhanced through accurate tracking, error reduction and decreased wait time. And it links HR professionals to Faculty and Staff Disability Services’ forms, downloads payroll files monthly and provides automatic email reminders of FMLA deadlines. Nominated by Joseph Wagner.
Rodney Loney, HCIS
Brian Cassady, HCIS
Kwon Y, HCIS
Phyllis Jacobsen, HCIS
Kevin Pellinen, Hospital Human Resources
Tara Black, Student Health
Debra Gilmere, Internal Medicine
Brenda Carey, Pathology
Melissa Fiacco, Pathology
Mary Jo Cooper, Holden Cancer Center
Sarah Banks, Holden Cancer Center
Jennifer Erickson, Emergency Medicine
Lehia Roberts, Ambulatory Surgery Center
Mark Miksch, Nursing Administration
The Improving Our Workplace Award is a partnership of Organizational Effectiveness, Staff Council and University of Iowa Community Credit Union.
Questions? Email nancy-noyer@uiowa.edu or call 335-0560.