The Witmer Award for Distinguished Service is given to staff members whose careers have been characterized by outstanding and sustained contributions to the University.
President and CEO Joel Seligman and Robert Witmer Jr., chairman emeritus of the Board of Trustees, will present the Witmer Awards—as well the Meliora Awards and Staff Community Service Award—at a reception in honor of the recipients on Wednesday, April 27.
Larry Ansini, director of University compensation
During his 40-year career at the University, Larry Ansini has demonstrated his prowess in the complex field of wage and salary administration—and he does it with a strong work ethic and commitment to doing what’s right.
Ansini and his team work with University and Medical Center leadership to review and discuss strategies, conduct audits and internal equity reviews, and tackle other compensation-related matters—all with the goal of attracting, motivating, rewarding, and retaining staff.
“Larry has always been first and foremost a champion and advocate for University employees, and the compensation work he does reflects his impeccable ethics and integrity in his efforts to design, implement, and maintain a staff compensation plan that is consistent, transparent, and fair,” writes Susan Wormer Chippero, senior counsel for labor and employment, in a letter supporting Ansini’s nomination.
Ansini is also lauded for his mentoring his team members and leading by example.
Colleagues note that he is especially effective in working with state and federal agencies on compliance-related matters.
“We are fortunate to have someone so articulate, professional, and knowledgable at the helm anytime there have been issues of compliance, audit, or legal scrutiny,” writes Tony Kinslow, associate vice president for human resources, in a nomination letter. “As a result of Larry’s capabilities and foresight, we are always armed and well positioned to address new regulatory guidelines such as those around pay equity based upon gender or race.”
Kate Miller, senior director of census management and support services
Kathleen (Kate) Miller, who joined the University in 1978 as a nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital, is a “supportive, trusted, and effective” leader who works tirelessly to ensure the hospital is the best place to receive care and the best place to work.
As senior director of census management and support services, Miller’s efforts are directed at reducing wait time for inpatient beds by making the flow of patients at the hospital more efficient. Colleagues say Miller has promoted innovative thinking and creative solutions to ease the hospital’s urgent capacity issues. She works closely with her staff to ensure appropriate triage of patients and she has efficiently managed transfer requests from other hospitals.
“Without question, Kate’s work has continually helped enhance the overall patient experience,” writes Jackie Beckerman, senior director for the patient experience and the Strong Commitment, in a nomination letter. “Kate’s kind and caring demeanor, combined with her high expectations and ability to hold people accountable, makes her an exceptional leader.”
Miller makes communication a priority‚ spearheading a daily executive briefing meeting that brings together leaders from more than 20 hospital departments to discuss safety and census issues. Several nominators have called it the most productive and important meeting serving hospital patients.
Michael Leonard, associate chief quality officer and associate professor of pediatrics and public health sciences, says Miller “role models our institutional values.”
“She is firm but fair, decisive but flexible, and professional at all times.”
Lisa Peck, department administrator for UR Ventures
When colleagues at UR Ventures turn to Lisa Peck with a project or task, they know it will be handled correctly and be completed on time.
With 23 years at the University under her belt, Peck “knows how everything fits together at the University,” writes David Englert, marketing manager for UR Ventures, in a letter supporting her nomination. “This gives her the ability to make things happen.”
Peck maintains and manages the department’s budget and is responsible for distributing royalty payments to faculty members and to the University. She also serves as office manager, ensuring that UR Ventures and the co-located Center for Business Engagement have everything they need to function properly.
She served a crucial role in UR Ventures’ move to Saunders Research Building, nominators say. Colleagues also cite her invaluable help during the set-up and implementation of the the department’s sophisticated project-management system, SalesForce.
“In sum, she is trustworthy beyond reproach, unflappable, resourceful, and confident—and all with an exemplary ‘can-do’ attitude,” writes Scott Catlin, associate vice president of technology ventures, who adds that Peck is “one of the unsung heroes that form the fabric of any great institution.
Debbie Shannon, administrator for the Center for Visual Science
For more than 32 years, Debbie Shannon has been an essential part of the research engines driving several University departments.
Shannon, who joined the Center for Visual Science in 2001, is recognized by colleagues for her ability to expertly manage multi-investigator, multi-institutional research proposals—a skill she honed working in the departments of Physics and Astronomy and Chemistry before moving to CVS.
“Her prowess and efficiency in proposal development took CVS to a whole new level in terms of the number and quality of large proposals we were able to submit,” reads a nomination letter by David Williams, the William G. Allyn Professor of Medical Optics, director of the Center for Visual Science, and dean for research in Arts, Sciences & Engineering.
Faculty from departments such as Neuroscience, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Optics, and Ophthalmology have reached out to Shannon for assistance with grant proposals, Williams notes.
Nominators also recognize the small things she does to keep the center running smoothly.
“She is always super busy, yet always makes the time to help faculty, staff and students with problems,” writes Gregory DeAngelis, the George Eastman Professor and associate director of the Center for Visual Science. “In all of her activities, Debbie maintains the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and courtesy. I can’t imagine how CVS would function without her!”
