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Photo recap: 2025 UTSW Pinnacle Awards

Published on: July 08, 2025 By: Staff Reports

Pinnacle Awards 2025 gallery banner — Pinnacle Award for Excellence recipient Thuong “Trizzy” Bui, Technical Supervisor, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, comes face-to-face (literally) with herself thanks to her biggest supporters’ spirited Trizzy cutouts.

On June 17, six outstanding employees were honored as recipients at the inaugural UT Southwestern Pinnacle Awards ceremony in the Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium, followed by a reception on McDermott Plaza.

We invite you to view a photo gallery from the event.

Select an image to begin the slideshow.

The Pinnacle Award recipients embody the standards of excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion that have come to define UT Southwestern.

In a video, Lauren Smith, Senior Organizational Development Consultant, Talent Development – Human Resources, and Spirit of UT Southwestern Award recipient, describes the joy she has felt working at UTSW.

From left: Holly Crawford, M.B.A., Executive Vice President for Business Affairs; UTSW President Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D.; Ms. Smith, holding her award; and Jeremy Falke, M.B.A., Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Ms. Bui graciously accepts her Pinnacle Award for Excellence.

Ms. Bui’s supporters are in the house lending their colleague tremendous support with their fun cutouts.

Pinnacle Award for Innovation recipient Amber Gemmell, M.S., CGC, Senior Genetic Counselor, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Adjunct Instructor, School of Health Professions, describes her passion for the NextGen Counseling Education Program that she created and implemented.

Audience members show their encouragement and appreciation for all of the Pinnacle Award recipients.

Ms. Gemmell celebrates her award with her Cancer Genetics colleagues, from left: Kelsey Moriarty, M.S., CGC; John Zimmerman, M.S., CGC; Elise Watson, M.S., CGC; Cheyla Clark, M.S., M.P.H., CGC; and Parker Read, M.S., CGC.

Pinnacle Award recipient Jose Rene Macias, Clinical Staff Assistant II, UTSW Family Medicine Clinic at Texas Health Dallas, thanks his family and teammates for his success.

From left: Marc A. Nivet, Ed.D., M.B.A., Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement; Dr. Podolsky; Mr. Macias, holding his award; and Hicham Ibrahim, M.D., Vice President and Senior Executive Officer of Ambulatory Services

Pinnacle Award for Compassion recipient Kaylee Suarez, Risk and Insurance Specialist, Safety and Business Continuity, describes the joy she feels in helping UTSW employees regain confidence and peace of mind during difficult circumstances.

The gleaming Pinnacle Awards make a stunning appearance before being handed out to their well-deserving recipients.

Distinguished Service Award recipient Hugo Pons, Supervisor, Television Maintenance Engineer for IR Strategy and Engagement, finally gets a turn in front of the camera to talk about his long-tenured run with UTSW in a video.

Mr. Pons thanks his family, teammates, and Dr. Podolsky especially for enabling him to enjoy a successful career at the workplace he has come to love.

The six recipients of the UT Southwestern Pinnacle Awards – from left: Ms. Smith, Ms. Gemmell, Mr. Pons, Mr. Macias, Ms. Bui, and Ms. Suarez – pause for a moment to take it all in.

Ms. Smith shares the special evening with her family, from left: Austin Smith (brother), Emily Smith (sister-in-law), Gabe Smith (nephew), Evie Smith (niece), Rodney Smith (dad), and Dede Smith (mom).

Mr. Pons and his wife, Maria Rodriguez, and daughters, Yara and Jocelyn, savor the reception that followed the awards ceremony.

Reception guests are treated to bao buns, among other delicious handheld bites.

Mixing and mingling with colleagues

From left, Nancy Nelson, Talent Sourcing Partner; Cardell Velez, M.B.A., Associate Vice President, Health System Operations and Imaging Services; Archana Cronjaeger, M.S.E.E., Assistant Vice President, Hospital Facilities; and David Nelson, Senior Program Coordinator, Talent Development, enjoy great food and conversation.

The spirit of celebration sparks a good time and plenty of laughs.

Two of several members of the Auxiliary Restaurant Group deliver an excellent catering experience.

Who doesn’t love something sweet at the end of a delicious meal?

Everyone in attendance could feel the love for UTSW and its amazing community.

Violinist Banahene Glover, a UTSW medical student, hits just the right notes for a lovely event.

Keyboardist Luke Coffman, also a UTSW medical student, provides the perfect music for the evening. Kaitlin Trenfield, a graduate student researcher (not pictured), played the drums.

Ms. Smith is all smiles at the reception in honor of her and the other award recipients.

Ms. Gemmell chats with a UTSW colleague.

Ms. Suarez celebrates the evening with her wife, Carley La’akea-Suarez (right), and their friend, Cassidy Teaff (left).

Ms. Bui shares the special evening with her son, Owen, and husband, Chris.

Mr. Macias (right) with his wife, Ale, and George Durstine, Occupational Health Associate (left)

Human Resources colleagues take in the festivities. From left: Ann Chisholm, Manager, HR Project Management Office; Mr. Falke; and Martha Washington, Assistant Vice President, HR Services.

From left, Nicole Baxley, M.A., Manager of Internal Communications, Office of Human Resources; Suzanne Farmer, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President, Talent Development; and Jenny Doren, M.B.A., M.S., Vice President for Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs, celebrate a job well done by teams involved in planning the event.

Eric Williamson, Video Content Specialist; Kevin Mitchell, Television Producer/Editor for IR Strategy & Engagement; and Christy Garner, Director of Institutional Events and Venues, relish great food and camaraderie.

UTSW employees across the campus enjoy the opportunity to gather and partake in the fun-filled festivities.