Employees Honored at Annual Christmas Luncheon

Staff and faculty celebrated the Christmas season and the successes of 2014 at the annual Staff Awards luncheon on Dec. 23. In particular, the dedication of employees celebrating milestone anniversaries and the accomplishments of the Staff Award recipients were recognized after lunch and the holiday video.

The 2014 Staff Award winners are:

• Dr. Suzanne Higginbotham, Mylan School of Pharmacy—The President’s Distinguished Service Award
• Diane Lang, Health Service—The Consumer Service Award
• Joseph Seidel, School of Nursing—The Innovation Award
• The Fisher FlexTech Implementation Team: Media Service Center consultants Lauren Turin, Todd Hughes, Todd Russell and Andy Beasom; Mike Armijo from facilities management; electricians Scott Druga, Shawn Mack, Dave Jordon; and painters Mark Perucci, Matt Maurice, Wayne Grimm and Mike McKenzie—The Teamwork Award.

As director of the Center for Pharmacy Care, Higginbotham is responsible for the expansion of the many services offered at the center throughout the Duquesne and Pittsburgh communities. In the School of Pharmacy, she is a co-advisor of the APhA-ASP Duquesne Chapter, is a member of the Pharmacy Alumni Committee, and the residency and Fellowship Steering Committee. Higginbotham also is a member of the University’s Wellness Center Committee and the Women’s Guild. Her volunteerism extends to the community, where she is a volunteer at the Hill House Association Christmas Clothing Drive and the women’s Auxiliary to Sacred Heart. Higginbotham also gave flu vaccinations to the homeless in Market Square at no charge.

Lang is responsible for all immunizations and health-related requirements of the approximately 2,000 students in the schools of nursing, pharmacy, health sciences, education and music prior to their field, practical and clinical rotations. In spite of enrollment increases, deadline changes and additional regulations and requirements, she remains organized in order to record pertinent data and complete myriad reports. The kindness and patience with which each student is served further illustrates that Lang is committed to the University mission.

Seidel is responsible for several significant technological changes in the nursing school this year, including implementing the technology, training nursing faculty and staff, and providing ongoing support of the software and hardware. His expertise and patience were key to organizing more than 900 computerized exams on laptops and in computer labs as well as supporting mandatory electronic textbooks and iPads for undergraduate students, staff and faculty. Seidel has also traveled to numerous off-campus community sites.

The Fisher FlexTech Implementation Team developed a new learning space on campus in Room 442 of Fisher Hall that cost $50,000 less than a similar classroom designed by an outside firm. The feedback about this new space has been overwhelmingly positive. Students are impressed with the writeable tables and love the color, light and technology the room provides, while instructors have embraced the inviting space and enjoy a new approach to their teaching.

Award winners were each presented with a plaque commemorating their achievements.