Eleven College of Public Health and Health Professions employees have been named UF Superior Accomplishment award winners in the Health Science Center division. Three of the eleven are from our Clinical and Health Psychology department! They will be honored at an upcoming virtual event.
The award program recognizes employees who contribute outstanding service, efficiency and/or economy to the university, or play a role in the quality of life provided to students and employees. Health Science Center division winners are submitted as nominees to compete for the university-level Superior Accomplishment Awards.
Nominations for the selected employees reflect faculty and staff taking on additional responsibilities to meet the extraordinary challenges the COVID-19 pandemic posed to education, clinical service, research and operations. The 2021 CHP Superior Accomplishment Award winners, along with comments from nominators, include:
“Ms. Escoto truly came to our rescue this year when we had two staff members leave for other positions just before things shut down in March, but we were unable to hire more staff during the pandemic. I don’t know what we would have done if she did not pick up even more additional responsibilities. With our business manager out on maternity leave during this time as well, Ms. Escoto rose to the challenge and was absolutely essential to our department running smoothly during a very stressful time.”
“Dr. King has become a leader within the department around clinical administrative and clinical training. She has a tireless work ethic and a high standard of care that she provides to her patients. She has eagerly taken on the additional duties that have resulted in improved services for our patients and cutting edge training to our graduate students. Her previous background in providing telehealth was invaluable in allowing the department to pivot to this treatment platform seamlessly.”
“A shining example of Amanda’s amazing character was in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Literally over the weekend the governor’s stay-at-home order was issued, she volunteered to come into the clinic to help close the office and get processes in place to be able to work from home. To add insult to injury, the department’s fiscal and HR representatives had left their positions just prior to that, so their positions were just being reposted, but then immediately closed when the hiring freeze was imposed. Amanda graciously volunteered to take over the purchasing for not only the clinic, but the entire department to include the grants core, while still maintaining her clinic duties.”