CVM Celebrates College’s ‘Stars’ At Annual Staff Awards
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM) staff and faculty members gathered on July 31 to thank CVM staff for being the “stars” of the college, those whose excellent work via customer service, in the research laboratories and with the faculty, and behind the scenes in many other ways make the college what it is.
During the annual CVM Staff Awards, 14 employees representing both CVM academic departments and the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) were recognized for their outstanding job performances, their dedication, and going the extra step above and beyond what is expected.
“We have talented people in every single corner of this college, and you are the ones who make the CVM great. Everything that you do, you make it better,” said Dr. Eleanor Green, the Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “Thank you for what you do every day; you’re the heart and soul of this place. There’s nothing we can say that can express the depth of appreciation we have for you.”
“Today is really about formally recognizing the people who work hard within our college, those who have demonstrated outstanding performance and accomplishment on the part of staff employees of the CVM,” said Dr. Karen Cornell, event emcee and associate dean for professional programs. “They characterize a commitment to excellence through customer service, initiative, and responsible stewardship.”
The CVM staff recognition awards recipients include:
- Chaitali Mukherjee, research associate in the histology service lab in the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (VIBS)
- Elizabeth Wood, veterinary technician II for the oncology service in the VMTH
- Lacey Richards, Business Coordinator for the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences (VLCS)
- Lisa Auckland, research associate in Dr. Sarah Hamer’s lab in the VIBS department
- Javier Vinasco-Torres, research scientist in Dr. Morgan Scott’s lab in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology (VTPB)
- Christopher Mabry, response manager for the Veterinary Emergency Team in the VLCS department
- Dana McMahon, business administrator I for the Departments of Small and Large Animal Clinical Sciences
- Mallory Worley, veterinary technician II for small animal soft tissue surgery in the VMTH
- David Kessler, coordinator for academic & student services for the Office of Research & Graduate Studies
- Mike McConnell, electronics technician II for CVM IT
In addition to the CVM staff awards, three awards were presented for staff members’ dedication to diversity and inclusion, support of the VMTH, and leadership.
The inaugural CVM Excellence in Inclusion & Diversity Award was presented to Dr. Ashley Seabury, a program manager for research & graduate studies in the Office of the Dean. The award was created to recognize and reward the efforts of CVM staff who create and support a working environment where inclusion and diversity are valued. An award will also be presented to a faculty member for the first time at the spring convocation.
“Ashley received the inaugural award for several reasons, including that she’s been a tireless champion for conflict management skills and has worked to address some of the really hard issues of gender and racial equity,” said Dr. Kenita Rogers, executive associate dean and director for diversity and inclusion.
Rogers also announced a second, surprise CVM Excellence in Inclusion and Diversity award, presented to Nicole Parker, administrative assistant for the CVM’s diversity programs.
“Anything creative that’s happened with diversity in the last few years is due to Nicole Parker, from the website to the newsletters, to the book race and now the escape room, applying for awards and listening to individual issues,” Rogers said. “Unfortunately for me and for the college, this is her last day at the CVM. Not only am I very sad but I’m really excited for her as she moves on to a new adventure.”
Amy Savarino, a pharmacist for the VMTH, was presented the W. Terry Stiles Service award, which formally recognizes hospital staff who demonstrate outstanding service in support of the VMTH through exceptional skills in many or all of the following areas: clinical service, patient service, client service, and service to the profession.
Finally, the Pearl Enfield Staff Leadership award was presented to Dana Heath, VMTH assistant hospital director. The award commemorates the contributions of Pearl Enfield, a dedicated CVM staff member who passed away in 1996 after more than 16 years of service to the college and university. The recipient of the award characterizes the standards of excellence exemplified by Enfield, including leadership, mentorship, professional development skills ambitions, excellent interpersonal skills, and assumption of responsibility over and above position requirements.
Also during the event, staff members were recognized for the duration of their service to the CVM. Longevity award recipients include:
- Five years: Rhonda Bodiford, Sandra Church, Diana Cover, Loretta Emola, Heidi Gaddis, Sara Galow, Daniel Garcia Gonzales, Leah Jirasek, Kranti Konganti, Mi-Ok Lee, Joe Lukovsky, Malathi Manchi, Deepak Monohar, Bobby Mills, Lauren Minner, Michael Nelson, Megan Palsa, So Young Park, Jennifer Perkins, Lauren Pluhar, Tiffany Railsback, Daniel Shuta, Noemi Torres, Elizabeth Wood, and Haili Zhang;
- Ten years: Jamie Brannan, Jeffrey Bray, Hollye Callis, Caleb Coursey, Stephanie Heath, Jairam Katta, Lori Kessler, Kord Kothman, Tina Lilly, Juana Noyola, Ernesto Ramos III, Echo Thomson, and Myriah Turner;
- Fifteen years: Linda Fillip, Kelli Graham, Tasha Miller, Michelle Pankonien, Sonny Presnal, and Beverly Wymola;
- Twenty years: Wendy Greathouse, Elizabeth Hinton, and Candise McKay;
- Twenty-five years: Linda Burton, Lin Bustamante, Sherra Jank, and Judy Walters;
- Thirty years: Norman Ellis; and
- Thirty-five years: Yvonne Kovar
To see more photos from the event, visit the CVM Flickr account.
