printable versionWinners of Dean's Spirit Awards give credit to co-workers
BY TRACIE WHITE
Robbin Brown
Brenda Lavell
The biggest boost to on-the-job success is working with great people, say this year's winners of the School of Medicine Dean's Spirit Awards. And both Brenda Lavell and Robbin Brown point to their own co-workers as the reason for their recent awards.
"You're only as good as the people you work with," said Lavell, business manager for the Division of General Internal Medicine. "I think that's why I've won an award like this."
The other winner, Brown, also gave a nod to her co-workers as providing the on-the-job support she needs to excel at work.
"I've forged so many new friendships working here," said Brown, human resources data administrator for the Departments of Radiation Oncology, of Urology, of Radiology, of Neurosurgery and of Neurology. "Even if I left Stanford, we would always remain friends."
It's these kinds of strong working relationships among employees that Dean Philip Pizzo, MD, hopes to encourage by honoring two School of Medicine employees each year with the Employee of the Year Spirit Award. The fifth annual Spirit Award was presented to Lavell and Brown at the Dean's Annual Staff Recognition Banquet at the Faculty Club on Nov. 29.
"We are fortunate to have so many wonderful employees," said Pizzo. "Among these, Brenda Lavell and Robbin Brown have served the School of Medicine and Stanford with wonderful dedication and outstanding service and are most deserving for this special recognition."
The two honorees will each receive $1,000 and an "A" parking permit for the year. Their names will also be added to the Spirit Award plaque in the dean's office.
Each year, the Dean's Spirit Award acknowledges two staff members in the School of Medicine who have provided outstanding contributions to "the mission and vision" of the medical school.
"In a certain sense Brenda is a success story in the great American tradition," said Peter Rudd, MD, professor of medicine and division chief in general internal medicine. Rudd is Lavell's direct supervisor and nominated her for the award. "She began several years ago in clerical work, rose through the ranks through incredibly hard work, great creativity and by being an inspiration. She's always willing to try new technologies and is a model to others around her. She's great."
Lavell has pursued her education while working at Stanford for the past seven years and will receive her bachelor's degree in organizational behavior in the next few weeks. "I love medicine and I love education, so being able to do both at my job is perfect for me," said Lavell who plans to work toward a master's degree while continuing her full-time responsibilities at Stanford.
A native of New Orleans, Brown, who has worked at Stanford for the past five years, appreciates her job because it keeps her on her toes and also provides her with a continuing education.
"It's really a fast-paced environment and it makes the days go by quickly. This is how I prefer to work. I'm also always learning new things," said Brown, who recently has been kept even busier caring for her mother and 91-year-old grandmother who both relocated to San Jose after being evacuated from New Orleans.
Brown accomplishes a tremendous amount of work on a daily basis, said her group of supervisors who together nominated her for the Spirit Award.
In 2004, Brown stepped into a newly created position as cluster administrator of five departments: radiology, radiation oncology, urology, neurology and neurosurgery. An incredible work ethic, professionalism and positive attitude have helped her coordinate the various job responsibilities.
"She has so much to do all the time, it's amazing that she can remember it all or has time to do all of it," said one of her supervisors Stephanie Edelman, director of finance and administration for urology and radiation oncology. "She has made the transition to this cluster just so smooth. She's accurate, dependable and committed to excellence."