4 UTSW administrative professionals named finalists in Dallas Admin Awards
After receiving hundreds of nominations from across North Texas, the Dallas Admin Awards has named four UT Southwestern employees as finalists for its 2018 program.
The Admin Awards recognizes exceptional administrative professionals in nine categories, by way of nominations from anyone who has encountered the great work of the administrative professional.
The winners will be announced at the seventh annual Dallas Admin Awards dinner gala Oct. 25 at The Statler Dallas.
If you see one of these terrific colleagues in your travels through campus, join us in congratulating them on their nominations – and wish them luck!
Seema Dave
Clinical Research Manager, Anesthesiology and Pain Management Department
Finalist for Colleen Barrett Award for Administrative Excellence, the organization’s most prestigious award, which is named after Colleen Barrett, President Emerita and Corporate Secretary of Southwest Airlines.
Ms. Dave enjoys the challenge of merging creativity and business acumen in day-to-day operations. Her inclination to make a difference and her interest in all facets of management are at the root of her passion for administration.
A native of Louisiana, Ms. Dave received her Master of Public Health in health policy and systems management from Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Sciences Center. Prior to working in Dallas, she spearheaded various efforts to increase business growth and sustainability for her company. Ms. Dave led initiatives with New Orleans city leaders in revolutionizing access to health care and improving health outcomes – simultaneously reducing emergency room utilization rates and costs to the city.
Rafael Hernandez
Senior Administrative Associate, Patient Care Services
Finalist for Rookie of the Year Award, which celebrates an administrative assistant or receptionist who is new to the administrative profession and whose career as an admin started fewer than three years ago.
Originally from El Paso, Texas, Mr. Hernandez has worked in the medical field for nearly two decades. He was a certified nurse assistant at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego and later served as a perfusionist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he recovered organs for transplant. Mr. Hernandez enjoyed living and working in Southern California, where he had the chance to work as a background actor and served as an usher at the Academy Awards.
After relocating to the DFW Metroplex, Mr. Hernandez worked as a data specialist in Transplant Service for Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth. He joined UTSW as a Senior Administrative Associate for Patient Care Services in 2016.
Throughout his career, one constant has been Mr. Hernandez’s passion for the provision of exceptional health care, whether he was recovering organs or creating a hospitalwide scheduling system. His goal has always been to contribute to the team’s ability to provide patients and families with high-quality, compassionate care.
In his spare time, Mr. Hernandez volunteers with transplant awareness fundraising, collects donations for the Dallas Presbyterian Night Shelter, and supports the SPCA of Texas.
Shelia Jernigan
Lead Administrative Associate, University Hospitals
Finalist for Loyalty Award, presented to the administrative professional who has a minimum 20 years of effective service in the administrative profession and/or a minimum of 10 years effective service to their existing company or executive in an administrative capacity.
Ms. Jernigan is an accomplished professional with over 40 years of executive-level administrative experience. For more than 19 years, Shelia has worked for UTSW, serving as administrative assistant to the University Hospitals Chief Operations Officer.
Ms. Jernigan has extensive knowledge of the health care environment, demonstrating expert skill in performing all aspects of high-level medical administrative responsibilities. She has an exceptional ability to independently complete multiple assignments, appropriately manage competing priorities, and discreetly handle highly sensitive and confidential issues and information. Ms. Jernigan consistently applies her skills and institutional knowledge to solve problems and meet the diverse needs presented by UTSW internal customers, patients, and guests.
Ms. Jernigan held similar executive administrative positions at the Superconducting Super Collider Laboratory and North Texas Medical Education Consortium.
In her off-hours, Ms. Jernigan devotes time to her community and currently serves as a volunteer and mentor with For Oak Cliff, an organization devoted to encouraging literacy in youth and adults.
Ms. Jernigan is a graduate of Northwood University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in business administration.
Kassandra Johnson
Administrative Coordinator, University Hospitals
Finalist for Administrative Excellence in Healthcare Award, presented to an administrative professional employed in the health care or wellness industries who demonstrates exceptional competence, health care industry knowledge, outstanding customer service, and a passion for improving the physical and emotional well-being of others.
Ms. Johnson is a native of Dallas and began her administrative career more than 20 years ago as a legal secretary, supporting attorneys practicing criminal defense and civil law. She subsequently worked in other businesses, where she moved from administrative support roles into management as a result of her natural ability to solve problems and deliver excellent customer service.
Known for her heart for helping others, Ms. Johnson left the office environment for two years to build her own Mary Kay business, a move that enabled her to earn income and serve other women while caring for her ailing father. She describes that time as a period that allowed her to make an impact on the lives of others she helped.
When Ms. Johnson rejoined the traditional workforce, she came to UTSW as a temporary administrative employee, serving the executive team. She brought highly developed skills and a natural ability to enhance and elevate the workplace environment with her positive attitude and dedication to serving others. She was quickly offered a permanent position.
Since then, Ms. Johnson has been promoted and continues to support the executive team’s ability to ensure the delivery of exceptional patient care each day. Her warm, calm, and cheerful demeanor makes a consistently positive difference in the lives of her co-workers, leaders, patients, and guests.
When not at work, Ms. Johnson is caregiver to her mother and an active member of the Inspiring Body of Christ Church, where she is a member of the Encourager Team – another expression of her desire to serve. To indulge her artistic side, she also enjoys creating floral arrangements and decorative gift baskets.