Dear UT Health San Antonio faculty, staff, students and residents:
Every day, our employees work tirelessly to advance our missions of education, research, clinical care and community service. Established in 1985, the Presidential Awards recognize exemplary performance by individuals who consistently excel in their positions and demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and core values of UT Health San Antonio. The annual awards provide the university the opportunity to recognize faculty and staff contributions with six signature honors in four categories.
Many deserving faculty and staff were nominated to be honored with a Presidential Award for demonstrating outstanding service in their respective fields. I am grateful to the selection committees, led by Jacqueline Mok, PhD, vice president for academic, faculty and student affairs, and Jessica R. Perez, MS, organizational effectiveness specialist in the Office of Human Resources, for their careful review of those nominated and their selection of the following awardees.
Please join me in congratulating our 2021 Presidential Award recipients who will be honored with a plaque and cash award during a celebration in April.
Distinguished Service to the Institution
Robert Leverence, MD, FACP, Professor of Medicine and Chief Medical Officer, UT Health Physicians, Long School of Medicine
Distinguished Research Scholar
Thomas F. Patterson, MD, FACP, FIDSA, Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Long School of Medicine
Clinical Excellence
Jason E. Bowling, MD, FIDSA, Associate Professor/Clinical, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Long School of Medicine
Laura Novak, OTD, OTR, BCG, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions
Raj Sehgal, MD, Clinical Associate Professor and Section Chief of Hospital Medicine (VA), Department of Medicine, Long School of Medicine
Cindy Sickora, DNP, RN, Clinical Professor, Howard & Betty Halff Endowed Professorship in Nursing Excellence for Patient Care, Vice Dean of Practice and Engagement, School of Nursing
Luis C. Yepes, DDS, MS1, Assistant Professor/Clinical, Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, School of Dentistry
Teaching Excellence
A.J. Carpenter, MD, PhD, Professor/Clinical and Program Director, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Long School of Medicine
Brian L. Mealey, DDS, MS, Professor and Graduate Program Director, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry
Haley Nation, PhD, Assistant Professor/Clinical, Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Long School of Medicine
Meredith Quinene, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, Assistant Professor, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Health Professions
Heidi J. Worabo, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, Associate Professor/Clinical, School of Nursing
Employee Excellence
Jennifer Cerecero, MS, CHP, LMP, Director, Radiation Safety, Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Albert Contreras, SHRM-CP, PHR, Manager, HR Service Delivery, Office of Human Resources
Stephanie R. Gutierrez, BA, Program Coordinator-Senior, School of Medicine Office of UME
Ellen Nystrom, BA, Director, Veteran Services and Financial Aid, Office of Financial Aid
Elizabeth Walton, Clinical Information System Analyst-Senior, UT Health Physicians Administrative EPIC Practice Management
Team Excellence
COVID-19 Clinical Trials Response Team
Robin Tragus, MSN, RN, Clinical Research Nurse Supervisor, Department of Medicine/Infectious Diseases, Team Leader
COVID-19 Rapid Response Testing Team
Marjorie David, MD, Assistant Professor/Clinical, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Team Leader
Environmental Health and Safety Team
Michael A. Charlton, PhD, CHP, LMP, CIH, CSP, Assistant Vice President, Office of Risk Management and Safety, Team Leader
Sincerely,
William L. Henrich, MD, MACP
President and Professor of Medicine
John P. Howe, III, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Health Policy