The annual Dean’s Performance Awards honor employees whose work helps the UNC School of Medicine achieve its vision of becoming the nation’s leading public school of medicine.
The annual Dean’s Performance Awards honor employees whose work helps the UNC School of Medicine achieve its vision of becoming the nation’s leading public school of medicine.
The eight awards span four categories that are aligned with the School of Medicine’s SOM: Accelerate Forward Together strategic plan: research, education, people and clinical. This year, more than 60 nominees were considered for their extraordinary efforts and the winners were announced at the 2024 School of Medicine Annual Staff Summit.
Research
Vironomics Core Manager Linda Pluta
In her nomination, Pluta’s colleagues highlight her dedication to training learners and staff, her successful management of critical experiments and support of vital research across campus, as well as her ability to solve complex problems. These qualities stood out strongly during the pandemic, when she implemented genome sequencing at the Vironomics Core, initially for campus and later for the entire state of North Carolina.
Neuromuscular Disorders Research Coordinator Manisha Chopra
In her nomination, Chopra’s colleagues celebrate her expertise in clinical trials and her commitment to patient care. Her focus on patient safety and wellbeing as well as her attention to detail make her the gold standard for research coordination. Not only does she earn the trust of patients participating in trials, but she also delivers on study enrollment goals. Recently helping to produce a new FDA approved treatment for Myasthenia Gravis.
Education
MD-PhD Program Assistant Director Allison Regan
Regan provides top-level mentoring to every one of the 90 students in the School of Medicine’s MD-PhD program. She also leads on recruitment efforts, coordinates lab rotations and research events, plans orientation weekend, and so much more. Her colleagues say she handles all aspects of her role with exceptional competence, professionalism and dedication to student wellbeing.
Family Medicine Research Project Manager Kelsey Ross Dew
Ross Dew’s work spans all areas of the School of Medicine tripartite mission: research, education and patient care. Her colleagues admire her passion for the School of Medicine and her leadership, which has helped her department bring in valuable research funding. This funding has helped increase rural recruitment and training, and led to the development of key training materials for new hires.
People
Administrative Talent Development Director Patty Saponaro
Saponaro is dedicated to helping School of Medicine leaders. In her current role, Saponaro was tasked with creating leadership academies that help grow emerging leaders and further build senior leaders’ skillsets. She works with colleagues across UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC Health to provide valuable content that elevates staff development across the board, and has been a key advisor helping to build the Accelerate Forward Together people pillar.
Cell Biology and Physiology Research Technician Elizabeth Douglas
Douglas founded a peer group for lab staff in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, helping colleagues build connections with one another and helping to create pathways for development for new hires. Her colleagues admire her initiative in developing the group and her investment in the professional and practical growth of the department’s research staff.
Clinical
Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine Research Program Director Kelsey Haywood
Haywood’s creativity and initiative has led to improved teammate retention, improved clinical study selection, and the successful enrollment and implementation of new therapies. Her colleagues highlight her important role as a care team member for trial participants as well as her role as a leader on her team, both of which contribute to successful clinical work and improved patient outcomes.
Health Sciences Community Program Specialist Kevin Giff
Giff’s work helps the School of Medicine achieve its mission of improving the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. Over the past year, he has collaborated with community organizations supporting housing and development initiatives, including Habitat for Humanity of Orange County and Hope NC. His colleagues tell us he regularly goes above and beyond, and his work has directly improved quality of life and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Congratulations to all 2024 Dean’s Performance Awards nominees:
| Ada Southerland |
| Adam Morris |
| Alicia Diggs |
| Elizabeth Alioto |
| Allison McKinney |
| Allison Speagle |
| Allison Williams |
| Audra Bryan |
| Austin Aucoin |
| Britney Carlton |
| Bonnie Parks-Huff |
| Breanna Williams |
| Cara Marlow |
| Caroline Poulton |
| Christopher Lyu |
| Cindy Hoffmeier |
| Dani Shirey |
| Daniel Krupa |
| Deborah Lee |
| Diana Stanley |
| Eugene Yamamura |
| Felicia Helmlinger |
| Guangkuo Dong |
| Joseph Hatch |
| Megan Henderson |
| Holly Shepherd |
| Jacquelyn Goeking |
| Jeff McQueen |
| Jeffrey Jones |
| Jill Cunnup |
| Jonathan Hunter |
| Julie Golding |
| Kate Lester |
| Lisa Thompson |
| Maia Karpinsky |
| Matt Tucci |
| Miriam Davis |
| Melody Snow |
| Edward (Oliver) Marth |
| Patrick Muscarella |
| Rhonda Strickland |
| Robert Mason |
| Sam Robinson |
| Sarah Howard |
| Sarah Edwards |
| Sherry Whitaker |
| Siyuan Liang |
| Audrey Smith |
| Stephanie Fleming |
| Susan Wolf |
| Tamea Love |
| Tasmai Vulli |
| Ted Eby |
| Tracy Stone |
| Trina Pugh |
| Veneranda Obure |
| Whitney Davis |
| William Randolph |