Credo Award and Five Pillar Leader Award winners were announced Tuesday at the Clinical Enterprise Leadership Assembly at Langford Auditorium. These Vanderbilt University Medical Center staff and faculty awards are bestowed on a quarterly basis.
Mike McConnell, an associate director of finance at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, received the Five Pillar Leader Award, given for leadership in service, quality, growth/finance, innovation and the promotion of staff and faculty satisfaction and commitment.
His nominating letter read, “Mike always is available to assist in problem solving, not only with financial issues but with culture, trust and transparency.
He works daily with faculty and management to support their successes and address challenges.
“While health care reimbursement is transitioning, Mike’s special efforts have created confidence and trust that difficult goals can be achieved.”
Credo Awards honor staff and faculty who exemplify the VUMC Credo. The newest winners are: Heather Barnes, a research assistant with the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center; Lana Howard, R.N., patient care services manager with the Clinical Research Center; and Teddy Marsh, a cashier with the outpatient pharmacy at The Vanderbilt Clinic.
Barnes’ nominating letter recounted some trouble that arose one evening concerning patient samples that were ready for shipping to a testing facility. After repeated phone calls, the shipping courier failed to appear.
“Heather picked up the shipping packages, drove to the airfield and talked her way onto the tarmac with the assistance of someone she knew who worked at the delivery company. They let her put the package on the plane after receiving it into their system. She went out of her way to do everything to ensure a timely shipment.”
Howard’s nominating letter read, “Lana’s career trajectory bespeaks her commitment to excellence in nursing practice, her servant leadership style and her sincere and unwavering dedication towards the diverse community of individuals she serves — patients, staff, faculty research investigators and clinicians.”
One staff member wrote, “As a nurse under Lana’s administration, I feel she respects and protects me daily. She allows me to be free to do what I do best but always challenges and encourages me to try more. She has never forgotten what it is like to be in my place.”
Marsh’s nominating letter read, “He shows a genuine care and concern for every patient and their well-being.” A longtime pharmacy customer wrote, “In interactions with me and others, Teddy has always been professional and knowledgeable and has gone above and beyond for his customers. Even when the lines are long, and people are not very patient, Teddy is upbeat and kind. He epitomizes the Vanderbilt Credo, and I appreciate his great service to me and the other customers here at Vanderbilt.”
For more information and nomination forms, visit the Elevate website.
