The winner of this year’s Dr. Peter J. Deckers Employee Appreciation Award is Wendy Martinson, registered nurse and quality assurance specialist at the UConn Health Center. Martinson received the award during a ceremony today hosted by Know Better Place.
This is the fourth year the award has been given to an outstanding employee who consistently demonstrates passion and commitment, going above and beyond to help meet the goals of the Health Center.
Ann Marie Capo, chief quality officer for John Dempsey Hospital, wrote in Martinson’s nomination letter:
Wendy has a passion for her work, which is contagious. She leads by example and her approach is both collaborative and creative.
She quietly pursued her vision for the care delivery model she created. She has spent countless hours of her own time to develop posters, speak at various local and national conferences, and host an annual conference at JDH for health care professionals interested in learning from our success in treating this particular patient population.
Wendy approaches her work in a caring, competent manner that is also motivating. She is inspiring to watch in action as she makes difficult tasks appear easy because of her approach to her work.
Martinson and her colleague Dr. Jason Ryan have received national attention for their outstanding work with the Heart Failure Program, from the University Health Consortium and the Institute of Healthcare Improvement.
“Wendy exemplifies what real leadership is all about and what an outstanding employee is all about,” said Dr. Peter Deckers, former head of the UConn Health Center and medical school dean. “She gives freely without expecting anything in return and she’s a kind sensitive caring person and a very special human being. We thank her for her work here at the Health Center.”
This year, senior leaders from throughout the Health Center were asked to nominate one exemplary employee representing their division. Committee members reviewed and scored each nomination application based on 10 award criteria.
The UConn Foundation honors the winner with a monetary award of $1,000. In addition, his/her name is inscribed on a perpetual plaque.
Two other employees were also nominated and recognized: Grace Boucher, director of quality and performance improvement with the UConn Medical Group, and Michael Vasquenza, information technology manager for Correctional Managed Health Care.
A special PAWS ceremony was also held today to recognize and honor employees who consistently perform above and beyond the expectations of their job.
The PAWS recipients are as follows:
James L. Birks CMHC-Bridgeport – Medical
Andrew J. Blasco Clinical Engineering
Dominic M. Cianciolo Clinical Engineering
Joann LaMere Human Resources
Sandra L. Leba Human Resources
Deborah J. McMahon Radiology
Antoni S. Piotrowicz Clinical Engineering
Michelle Sandore-Shea UMG – General Dermatology
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