Exceptional Staff and Faculty Shine at ‘Luminary’ Celebration
On May 5, staff and faculty gathered for the 2026 CUIMC Luminary Employees Recognition Celebration. Organized by the CUIMC Women Employee Resource Group (ERG) and co-sponsored by the CUIMC Office of Well-Being, CUIMC Human Resources, the CUIMC Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society, the CUIMC Office of Faculty Professional Development and Engagement, and the CUIMC EVP Office, the event recognized outstanding individual and team contributions in the areas of education, mentorship, collaboration, and leadership.
The event also featured a panel discussion that explored the ways in which efforts around education, mentorship, collaboration, and leadership can bridge different parts of the medical center and advance the collective whole.
Individuals and Teams Recognized
The organizer called for nominations for the ‘Spotlight Your Colleagues Campaign’ in March to honor Women’s History Month, and received 250 nominations from all four CUIMC schools, CUIMC central administration, and the broader Columbia University community. The nominations highlighted individuals and office groups who had exhibited at least one and in many cases all four of the defining criteria: education, mentorship, collaboration, and leadership.
In all, 186 individuals and four groups received the 2026 Luminary Employee Recognition Awards. A list of the awardees can be found here.
Idelsi Botex, director of administration in the dean’s office at the Mailman School of Public Health, was cited for outstanding contributions in the areas of mentorship, collaboration, and leadership. “It feels good to be recognized by my peers,” said Botex. “I’m part of a wonderful office, and I do my best to ensure my team feels pleased with the support and guidance I provide.”
The first Mayra Marte-Miraz Luminary Award was presented to Lina Maria Matos, assistant director, business process operations in the Department of Medicine. The award honors the extraordinary spirit and impact of Mayra Marte-Miraz on CUIMC and across the university. “Mayra led with compassion, inclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to supporting others by always putting people first,” said Matos. “This award is especially meaningful to me. Mayra’s mentorship, kindness, and servant leadership continue to inspire the way I lead and support others every day.”
Panel Discussion
To further explore the themes of education, mentorship, collaboration, and leadership, the awards ceremony was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Clara Lapiner, assistant vice president in the Office of Faculty Professional Development and Engagement and Emerald Shaw, practice manager in the Department of Neurology. The panelists, all of them 2026 Luminary Awardees, included:
- Ann Marie Benedicto, chief of staff to the dean, Mailman School of Public Health
- Spencer Bennet, director, CUIMC Office of Professionalism
- Jane Bogart, executive director of well-being and health promotion, Student Health on Haven
- Maria C. Cepeda, assistant director in the Hypertension Lab, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Jessica Singer, associate professor of medicine in the Division of General Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Grace Moon, financial analyst in the Columbia School of Nursing and a 2026 Luminary Awardee, enjoyed the panel. “It was interesting to hear from staff and faculty who work in different schools and offices all across the medical center,” she said. “I work for the School of Nursing, but in a sense, it doesn’t matter where you work. We all need things like mentorship and collaboration to succeed.”
CUIMC Women ERG leadership and members. From left: Sandra Monroy, Clara Lapiner, Mandy Lin, Lina Maria Matos, Sanjana Inala, Sajina GC, Emerald Shaw, and Ashley Boyce. All photos by Siobhan Mullan.
Networking Opportunity
The event wrapped up with a networking reception. Designed to foster cross-campus and inter-office familiarity and relationships, it was an opportunity for nominees, panelists, and attendees to identify and connect with like-minded professionals. The opportunity was not lost on Botex: “I don’t often get to meet people in other CUIMC schools and offices. An event such as this, with dedicated time for networking, is very helpful. We can all learn a lot from one another.”
To read more about the awardees, click here.