printable versionSpirit Awards go to two who spread good cheer to others
BY MADOLYN BOWMAN ROGERS
Diane Starrett (left), who works in the office of the chair of the Department of Medicine, and Jim Day who works at Visual Art Services, were named winners of the annual Spirit Awards for 2007.
When people get lost in the byzantine corridors of the medical center, Diane Starrett not only gives them directions but will often walk with them to their destination to make sure they get there. Likewise, Jim Day always takes time to direct the lost, and will usually leave them laughing as well.
This dedication to helping people has made Day and Starrett the winners of this year's School of Medicine Dean's Spirit Awards.
Starrett, an administrative associate in the office of the chair of the Department of Medicine, staffs the front desk in her office and said, "If someone needs something or wants something, I feel like I'm the point of contact. I'm always willing to help anyone."
Day, photography supervisor in Visual Art Services, credits his early training for his great customer service ethic. "As a young man I worked in retail behind a counter. That's very good training for anybody."
Dean Philip Pizzo, MD, established the Employee of the Year Spirit Awards six years ago to honor staff who show exceptional customer service, initiative, dedication, motivation and a positive attitude. The award, which included a $1,500 cash prize, recognizes two staff members in the School of Medicine.
Pizzo presented the seventh annual Spirit Awards Nov. 8 at the Dean's Annual Staff Recognition Banquet at the Faculty Club. The banquet also celebrated staff employees who have worked at the medical school for five, 10, 15 or more years.
Starrett, originally from Southern California, has worked at Stanford since 1994 and has been in her current job for 10 years. Known for energy and enthusiasm, she organizes the staff appreciation events and keeps up morale in her office of about 25 people.
"She plans events for the office in a way that always makes them special," said her supervisor, Osman Akhtar, director of finance and administration. "Her efforts have been important in pulling the office together and making everyone feel a part of it."
Starrett often calls in to the office while on leave just to make sure everything's going OK, Akhtar said. She is always willing to lend a hand to her co-workers. "Her friendliness keeps the office a nicer place," said Akhtar.
Starrett was nominated for the Spirit Award once before and got a hint she might win this year. One of her co-workers told her, "You should win that award. You're really the person that keeps it all together."
Originally a Southern boy from New Orleans, Day has been at Visual Art Services for 23 years. He started as a scientific photographer but now manages the office. His supervisor, audio/visual manager Jim Taskett, described him as the "go-to guy" and a "people person" who knows everyone and greets delivery people by name.
Day is always available to solve a problem, even at night or on weekends, Taskett said. When he was called for seven weeks of jury duty, Day worked evenings and weekends on his laptop and kept up with all his duties.
Taskett also credits Day with enhancing office morale. On holidays, all the employees in the department come in to find Day has left a trinket on their desks, such as a little pumpkin and chocolates last Halloween. "He's always thinking of what he can do to brighten people's lives," Taskett said. "He keeps people so motivated."
Day said he just enables others to do their jobs better. "Getting to know people and solve their problems and deal with them is rewarding in its own right," he said.
Madolyn Bowman Rogers is a science-writing intern in the medical school's Office of Communication & Public Affairs.