CUMC Recognizes Team Players
CUMC leadership, including Lee Goldman, chief executive, recognized three administrative staff members Dec. 3 with Baton Awards, an honor created in 2009 to recognize CUMC staff who exemplify the spirit of teamwork. This year's winners were Michael Alberto, director of the Faculty Club; Iris Cirino, supervisor of the College of Dental Medicine's central sterilization unit; and Yu-hui Ferng, program manager for the School of Nursing’s Office of Global Initiatives.
The awards are in the shape of the batons used in relay races to reflect that fact that each of the honorees approaches work like a relay runner, focusing on group success above individual accolades.
Left to Right: Dean Lee Goldman, MD, Michael Aliberto, Mark McDougle Michael Aliberto, director of the Faculty Club, is known by all who work with him for his work ethic and calm demeanor. Mark McDougle, the chief operating officer of CUMC, remembers meeting Mr. Aliberto during his interviews at the medical center, and thinking that his great demeanor reflected well of CUMC as a workplace.
Michael Alberto, director of the Faculty Club, is known by all who work with him for his work ethic and calm demeanor. Mark McDougle, chief operating officer of CUMC, said he remembers meeting Mr. Alberto during his own interviews at the medical center and thinking that his demeanor reflected well of CUMC as a workplace. Mr. Alberto has been at CUMC for 17 years, working his way up from his first position as a temporary dishwasher.
Iris Cirino has more than 27 years of service at CDM as the leader of central sterilization. She manages her staff by encouragement, understanding, and most of all by example, said Ronnie Myers, vice dean of the College of Dental Medicine, who presented her with the award. She was described as a friendly person who approaches everyone with a smile, and she is known as the kind of person whose demeanor helps people get through the day.
Yu-hui Ferng, program manager for the Office of Global Initiatives at Columbia Nursing, has worked for the school for 10 years. Bobbie Berkowitz, dean of Columbia Nursing, presented the award to Ms. Ferng, citing the highest spirit and skills of team building that she brings to her work. Dr. Berkowitz called Ms. Ferng a program manager in the truest sense of the word: She participates in brainstorming and writing, drawing on her knowledge of global work and systems development.