Setting the standard of excellence: Meet the latest Strauss Award winners
Their titles range from Certified Medical Office Assistant, Maintenance Foreman, and Advanced Pharmacy Technician to Registered Nurse II, Senior Project Manager, and RN Care Coordinator. Yet they all come together like the well-rehearsed musicians of an orchestra to make UT Southwestern perform as one of the best places in the country to receive medical care.
They’re the winners of the Diana and Richard C. Strauss Service Excellence Awards for second quarter 2023, honored by UT Southwestern President Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., during a virtual ceremony August 18.
Once every three months, six employees within the Health System are recognized for exemplifying excellence and professionalism in all they do.
Three things define and unite Strauss Award winners:
- They excel at their jobs.
- They serve as role models for the next generation of employees.
- They share a spirit of volunteerism that strengthens our community.
Watch: Dr. Podolsky honors winners during the virtual event.
Georgia Cole, C.M.A.
Certified Medical Office Assistant
Adult Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic
Mrs. Cole makes “exceptional contributions to the UT Southwestern Adult Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. Her unwavering dedication, thoughtfulness, collegial nature, and innate ability to brighten the day for her co-workers and patients truly set her apart.”
UTSW career: Celebrating her seventh anniversary at UT Southwestern in August, Mrs. Cole was a beautician before she embarked on her career in the medical field. In that profession, she loved to make people feel happy when they looked in the mirror, but she became a certified medical office assistant to affect people’s sense of well-being in a more profound way. Here, she helps them to overcome depression and improve their mental health.
In her role: She works at the Multispecialty Psychiatry Clinic, where her duties include treating patients with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells and improves depression symptoms. Besides being professional and proficient at her assigned tasks, Mrs. Cole is a go-to person whom her colleagues rely on every day for her wisdom and experience. She possesses a reputation as an ace problem-solver with “a keen ability to analyze complex scenarios and find innovative solutions,” according to her nominator.
A real difference maker: “For older adults with severe depression receiving TMS treatments in our clinic, the contact with Georgia has been a lifeline,” according to one of her four Strauss Award nominators. “I have seen her touch the lives of socially isolated and vulnerable older adults.”
What she loves about her job: “When people come in, some will be so depressed and hopeless,” she said. “What I’m here for is to put a smile on their faces, to lift the weight off them. When I can do that, it makes me so happy.”
Off the clock: Mrs. Cole runs a nonprofit organization with her sisters called Cooking with Love, which serves the less fortunate in the Dallas area with food, clothing, and essential hygiene items.
Hector Cordero
Maintenance Foreman
Hospital Facilities, Zale Lipshy Pavilion
“Hector is an engaged collaborator and a wonderful asset to the Zale Hospital Facilities team. He has demonstrated time and time again his ability to think critically under pressure and problem-solve with stakeholders.”
UTSW career: Mr. Cordero started in November 2019 at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital (CUH) as a building maintenance specialist. In 2021 he moved to Zale Lipshy Pavilion in a similar role, and about a year later, he was promoted to foreman. His responsibilities include ensuring that the electricity, plumbing, climate control systems, and other resources in the building are operating properly, and he does so by employing a meticulous preventive maintenance program that addresses potential issues before they become a problem.
In his role: “As the foreman, I keep watch over the plant that produces all the utilities for the building, and I also have the building itself,” Mr. Cordero said. “I work with a small crew. I have an electrician, a painter, [and] a carpenter, and then I have two building maintenance specialists. Plus, I’ve got four plant operators who are here around the clock to watch over all the utilities. It’s our responsibility to be sure everything is working the way it’s supposed to when it’s needed.”
Stepping up: “He takes pride in the work that his team completes and the overall maintenance of Zale Lipshy Pavilion,” according to his nominator, who added that since the building doesn’t have a maintenance superintendent, Mr. Cordero performs those duties as well, coordinating projects among departments and keeping leadership informed about work schedules and plans. “He has a friendly demeanor, gets along well with others, and has built sustainable relationships with leaders and staff.”
What he loves about his job: “We’re a very close team, and we love to help each other out to get the job taken care of as efficiently as possible so the medical people can do their important work,” he said. “I’m proud of the things we’re able to accomplish and the positive impact those have on the people who take care of our patients.”
Off the clock: When he’s not working, Mr. Cordero is focused on family time, but he doesn’t stray too far from his tools. His daughter is an aspiring actress with a not-for-profit theater group, so he donates his time helping to build sets and props for the productions. His family’s idea of fun during weekends is a cruise in the 1950 Ford sedan he has spent the past eight years meticulously restoring and maintaining.
Casey Holt-Sommer, CPhT
Advanced Pharmacy Technician
William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital Pharmacy
“Casey cares very deeply about patients. She doesn’t just see a name on the label. Her empathy and vision for her role in patient care are evident to all who work beside her.”
UTSW career: An Advanced Pharmacy Technician in the Clements University Hospital Pharmacy for 15 years, Mrs. Holt-Sommer ensures that medications are prepared and delivered to patients efficiently and professionally – including in the IV Room where she keeps things running smoothly.
In her role: Her supervisor calls Mrs. Holt-Sommer “a walking PACT card” for all the positive comments she receives about the pharmacy tech’s helpfulness, knowledge, and leadership on the job. Those skills also were among the reasons she has been named her department’s employee of the month several times during her tenure.
Always vigilant, always improving: “She holds herself accountable to a very high standard, and she also holds others accountable as well,” said one of Mrs. Holt-Sommer’s five Strauss Award nominators. “She communicates well, always keeping everyone in the loop with what’s going on that day on the shift. She frequently has great ideas for process improvement, and she submits them via appropriate channels. If I need a special favor done, she will drop what she is doing to help.”
What she loves about her job: “I love being able to contribute to patient care. Even if it’s not the nitty-gritty part, I know that I am helping in some way, and I find that to be very satisfying,” Mrs. Holt-Sommer said. While her job doesn’t usually involve direct contact with patients, she’ll never forget the day it did. There was a code blue in the hospital, and the pharmacist asked her to come along to assist. “I stayed there with her and helped her through the code, waiting to see if they’d need more meds. There came a point when they needed something and asked me to go to the pharmacy to get it. I realized it was nearby in the Pyxis machine and was able to access it much more quickly than a trip to the pharmacy. It helped the patient to survive, and I’ll never forget how that made me feel.”
Off the clock: Mrs. Holt-Sommer is a budding fashionista away from the office. She’s recently started a clothing and accessories shop with a partner.
Sarah Sperberg, B.S.N., RN, PMHRN-BC
Registered Nurse II
Psychiatry Department, 5 Orange
“Her team values her ability to inspire and motivate others. Sarah’s supportive and approachable nature makes her a trusted confidant, and her willingness to listen and offer guidance strengthens the bond among the staff.”
UTSW career: Ms. Sperberg joined UT Southwestern in 2019 as a nurse extern, then took a role as a mental health technician, joining our nurse residency program. She eventually became a bedside nurse and a charge nurse. Now she also contributes as a preceptor of new hires, nurse residents, nurse externs, and charge nurses in addition to assisting with the education and training of the techs on her unit.
In her role: Her patients often express their appreciation for Ms. Sperberg’s work in satisfaction surveys. They cite her attentiveness, empathy, and the positive impact she has on their well-being.
She makes everything better: “Sarah has taken special efforts to improve work processes on 5 Orange by updating our current environmental rounding process for charge nurses to ensure unit protocols, materials, and equipment uphold infection control, safety, and quality standards. She demonstrates a spirit of innovation by seeking more efficient workflows and avenues of communication.”
What she loves about her job: “I feel like I grew up at UT Southwestern in many ways, starting my career here and then developing my skills,” Ms. Sperberg said. “Now I love teaching and having the opportunity to share what I have learned. Still, I feel like I am constantly learning. There’s definitely something new to get out of every single shift.”
Off the clock: She doesn’t just learn on the job. Ms. Sperberg’s quest for knowledge continues in the classroom. She was accepted into the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Johns Hopkins University. She attends virtually, allowing her to continue her work with patients as she advances her education. She is also passionate about volunteering her time to feed the less fortunate.
Dustin Ussery
Senior Project Manager for Medical Equipment Planning
Health System Clinical Program and Facility Development team
“Dustin’s managers, teammates, and colleagues consistently recognize his professionalism, attention to detail, problem-solving, and ability to communicate and collaborate with team members and stakeholders effectively. His positive attitude and belief in teamwork boost morale and foster a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and supported. His dedication to excellence and commitment to advancing health care technology make him invaluable.”
UTSW career: For nearly five years, Mr. Ussery has been a key contributor to expansion and renovation projects that have helped make UT Southwestern one of the best places to receive care. He honed his skills in the U.S. Army where he set up combat support hospitals in deserts in the Middle East.
In his role: He works with clinical leaders, architects, and engineers to make certain that mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other requirements are met so facilities operate at their highest potential. Since joining UTSW in 2019, Mr. Ussery has taken an increased level of responsibility for the planning and execution of medical equipment on many multimillion-dollar projects.
Making time: One of Mr. Ussery’s favorite successes was the transformation of the Cancer Care Outpatient Building from an empty structure into a fully stocked medical facility. Faced with the need to receive deliveries from multiple vendors in a compressed time frame, he created a detailed dock schedule not only for medical equipment, but also for everything from furniture to artwork to get the facility completed in time.
What he loves about his job: “The first patient day is always my favorite day when we get to see patients coming in, seeing the impact we have on the community because now they have access to primary care or the cancer center that they didn’t have before,” Mr. Ussery said.
Off the clock: Mr. Ussery donates his time to charity, helping the Scottish Rite for Children organize blood drives and other activities. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge in Grapevine, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and American Legion.
Rhonda White, B.S.N., RN
RN Care Coordinator
Zale Lipshy Pavilion, 5th floor
“The impact this nurse has had in the profession is commendable. She has championed various initiatives in the hospital system and has served many roles. She is a proven, diligent leader with a passion for world-class, patient-centered care. This meticulous nurse attends to patients’ needs by promptly addressing their concerns and answering all questions regarding their discharge disposition. She is accountable, a great communicator, a natural problem-solver, and the best team player one could ask for in a care coordinator.”
UTSW career: Mrs. White joined UT Southwestern in 2008 as a traveling nurse and fell in love with her team and the organization. Within a year, she signed on to remain permanently.
In her role: Described as a “spectacular nurse” and a “miracle worker,” Mrs. White has a rapport with patients and their families and is known for being able to find the best answer to any issue that should arise through her positive, problem-solving attitude. She inspired the launch of multidisciplinary rounding, which addresses barriers to discharges, and reduced the length of hospital stays by 47.5% among the spinal surgery patients on her floor.
It’s all for the team: “She is often an unsung hero, but it’s without a doubt that she is the glue that holds this unit together,” according to her nominator. “Her kind heart, solution-oriented mindset, and her relationship-building skills have allowed us to implement various projects that have resulted in improved overall patient satisfaction by improving length of stay, quality metrics, unit culture, staff retention, and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems scores.”
What she loves about her job: “You’ve got to love what you do,” Mrs. White said. “It’s a cliché, but it’s true. For me, it’s exciting when you hear how appreciative patients are of you helping them, getting them to the next level. It’s easy to put your hard work into it when you get to see the rewards. We work with a lot of spine injuries; they’re complex cases, and the people are in excruciating pain when they come in. They’re so grateful when they are able to put that behind them.”
Off the clock: Mrs. White gives her free time to charitable organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She is also an enthusiastic proponent of education and volunteers to read books to children at local elementary schools to promote literacy. In addition, Mrs. White can be found in her kitchen, using her grandmother’s poundcake recipe in a small business that donates some of the cakes to raise money to support nonprofit organizations.