An unflappable TV maintenance engineer. Three UT Southwestern “ambassadors.” A genetic counselor reaching the next generation. And a technical supervisor who bridges the gap between complex nuclear medicine machines and lifesaving care.

Collectively, these six outstanding employees embody the standards of excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion that have come to define UT Southwestern. On June 17, they will be honored as recipients of the inaugural UT Southwestern Pinnacle Awards.

The awards program, which received more than 300 nominations in its first year, was established to honor individuals from the UTSW community who, whether working behind the scenes or on the front lines, make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

“The strength of our institution is its people,” said UTSW President Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D. “These six outstanding colleagues represent all the dedicated and talented employees at UT Southwestern who work every day to benefit our patients, our community, and our mission.”

Dr. Podolsky and several other institutional leaders will preside over the Pinnacle Awards ceremony, which will take place Tuesday, June 17, at 4:30 p.m. in the Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium, followed by a reception on McDermott Plaza. Please register to attend the ceremony in person, or you can view a livestream of the event online.

Until then, take a few minutes to learn more about this year’s honorees and join us in congratulating all the Pinnacle Award honorees.

Spirit of UT Southwestern Award

Recognizes an employee who serves as a role model and brand ambassador for UT Southwestern through their loyalty, advocacy, service, mentorship, enthusiasm, and camaraderie, both within the UTSW internal community and beyond.

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Lauren Smith

Senior Organizational Development Consultant
Talent Development – Human Resources

If you’re a UT Southwestern employee, it’s a near certainty you know Lauren Smith. Among her many roles, she is the ultra-friendly, contagiously upbeat leader of orientation sessions for new hires. During her 23 years at UTSW, she’s facilitated more than 700 new-employee orientation sessions and has been the first person to welcome 100,000-plus new staff members on their first day.

“She’s got sunshine in her pocket,” reads one of Lauren’s many PACT cards. “As the Medical Center’s front porch, onboarding is the very first official interaction most new employees experience. With her effusive good nature, deep institutional knowledge, and ability to engage a spectrum of people, she is UTSW’s ambassador and diplomat. How lucky we are to have such a representative.”

New employee orientation is just one aspect of Lauren’s wide-ranging role as creator and conductor of a plethora of training sessions, where her customer service and presentation skills inform, entertain, engage, and inspire all those in attendance. “Lauren has an ability to communicate effectively with anyone, from executive level to staff,” said a colleague.

Described as “a driving force behind leadership development at UTSW” and “instrumental in shaping and nurturing talent at multiple levels,” Lauren facilitates many training programs, including the Values in Practice class, and oversees the Aspiring Leaders Program, which helps employees grow into future roles. She also consults with teams across UTSW to address professional development needs. She provides executive coaching for participants in the LEAD, Level Up, and Master’s programs, as well as for those seeking one-on-one professional growth support.

“Lauren Smith’s impact isn’t just noticeable; it’s foundational to the growth and positive experience of countless individuals across UT Southwestern,” one of her nominators said.

During her two-plus decades of dedication to UT Southwestern and its employees, Lauren has earned a stellar reputation for empowering colleagues and strengthening team dynamics. “Her name universally evokes admiration (‘Oh, I love Lauren! She’s amazing!’),” reads her nomination form. “Colleagues estimate she has ‘met, molded, or impacted in some way at least 90%’ of the UTSW community. She is truly the rising tide who lifts all boats, embodying the very best of UT Southwestern.”

One of her favorite days at work every year is the Aspiring Leaders Program graduation, Lauren said. “During this event, participants present their capstone projects, and it’s a powerful celebration of their growth. I always feel incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work they’ve shown throughout the year,” she said. “I also learn more about UT Southwestern on this day than almost any other because these participants come from all across campus, and their projects give us a window into innovative and meaningful work happening at our institution.”

Pinnacle Award for Excellence

Recognizes an employee who most contributes to UT Southwestern’s commitment to the highest standards of clinical excellence, educational distinction, research integrity, or administrative quality in all they do. They are unequivocal in their commitment to ongoing improvement through a project or initiative that has a positive and significant impact on their function, department, or the institution overall.

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Thuong “Trizzy” Bui

Technical Supervisor
Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Imaging science has revolutionized the practice of medicine. Thanks to advancements such as positron emission tomography (PET) and radiopharmaceuticals, health providers can identify and treat diseases with more precision than ever before.

But all the cutting-edge machines in the world can’t make an impact without experts like Thuong “Trizzy” Bui, who, as UTSW’s Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Technical Supervisor, bridges the gap between the high-tech world of sophisticated scanners and the beating heart of patient care.

Working primarily behind the scenes, Trizzy handles the many complex regulatory aspects of nuclear medicine imaging. Her daily responsibilities range from coordinating training on new devices and software to troubleshooting workflow issues and supporting technologists on equipment installations, maintenance, and accreditation.

All in the name of saving and improving lives.

Trizzy helped transform safety standards with a study that proved it is possible to lower the dosage of radiopharmaceuticals – radioactive agents used to develop detailed medical scans – without compromising PET imaging quality. The proposed dosage change means a reduced amount of radiation exposure to patients and staff. Her work on reduced dose in PET/computed tomography (CT) and protocol optimization for bone SPECT/CT has been published in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine and has earned her invitations to speak at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada last year and at this year’s annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was also invited to speak at the Nuclear Medicine Update 2025 Conference for the Society of Nuclear Medicine in Singapore on protocol optimization for post therapy imaging this past February.

In the past two years alone, Trizzy has helped open a dedicated nuclear medicine therapy clinic, add a mobile PET/CT unit, and install a new single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system. “Some of the most rewarding days on the job have been when we see major projects come full circle,” she said. “To witness that kind of growth in such a short time – and to be part of driving it – has been incredibly fulfilling because we’re giving our patients access to the most cutting-edge diagnostics and therapies available.”

Trizzy is also known for her leadership. She serves on the National Council of Representatives and House of Delegates for the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), Southwest Chapter, where she influences the future of her field. She is also a co-Chair of the Mentorship and Professional Development Committee for the Asian Pacific Islander Business Resource Group at UTSW. Last year, she was honored with the Mentee of the Year Award, recognizing her willingness to engage and learn from other leaders.

Trizzy’s empathy and dedication to excellence are impossible to ignore. A patient once told her, “I can tell you love doing what you do. You have a light in you that shows you genuinely care."

“That simple statement stopped me in my tracks,” Trizzy recalled recently. “In the middle of all the protocols, schedules, and technical responsibilities, that moment reminded me why I chose this field in the first place and brought me back to the heart of health care: connection, trust, and making people feel cared for.”

Pinnacle Award for Innovation

Recognizes an employee or team who created or contributed to development of a new technology or scientific discovery, launched or improved products or services, simplified complex tasks and processes, or creatively solved problems in service of the UTSW mission.

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Amber Gemmell, M.S., CGC

Senior Genetic Counselor, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Adjunct Instructor, School of Health Professions

UT Southwestern academic leaders have seen their share of innovations and achievements, which makes it all the more impressive when they are “blown away” by a novel idea or concept.

And that’s exactly what happened when they learned about the NextGen Counseling Education Program, which was created and implemented by Senior Genetic Counselor Amber Gemmell, M.S., CGC.

An Adjunct Instructor with UTSW’s School of Health Professions (SHP) and a Senior Genetic Counselor in the Simmons Cancer Center’s Cancer Genetics Program, Amber received the 2025 Pinnacle Award for Innovation for building the unique prospective genetic counselor program from the ground up. One Dean at the SHP noted that Amber “delivered one of the best outreach programs I’ve seen in my 10 years here.”

NextGen is noteworthy for multiple reasons. In addition to helping prospective students overcome barriers to learning about the field, it provides online lessons taught by experienced professionals. The depth and detail of her instructional content guarantee a holistic understanding that is on par with shadowing a genetic counselor in clinic. The NextGen Counseling Education Program builds a strong foundation for those who wish to enter the growing field and pursue graduate training in genetic counseling.

By improving and building our talent pool of future genetic counselors with this fresh approach to education, Amber is not only impacting the lives of students but making a difference for patients, too. The program is a testament to Amber’s determination, passion, and persistence, her nominator said. It initially came to life while she was participating in the Aspiring Leaders Program at UTSW, and after years of thoughtful planning and implementation, NextGen became a reality – all while she continued to see patients daily in the Cancer Genetics Program.

Amber is a staunch advocate for her patients, helping them understand their personal and family medical history of cancer so they are informed about their health risks and genetic testing options. When necessary, she also helps them get the support they need from clinicians and other services.

“My greatest day at work is empowering people through knowledge and supporting individuals navigating complex health care journeys,” she said.

Recalling a time when she helped a patient – a mother with multiple children – put to rest her worry of passing on a rare cancer gene mutation to her children, Amber described the joy and satisfaction that can come from her role as a genetic counselor at UTSW.

“Sometimes we have to tell patients devastating results, but other times we get to celebrate alongside them with the most amazing news,” she said. “Trusting me to be part of their support and care team is truly the biggest honor.”

Pinnacle Award for Teamwork

Recognizes an employee or team who work collaboratively and promote teamwork to gather input from colleagues and stakeholders across functions and groups to solve problems, improve processes, and provide excellent service.

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Jose Rene Macias

Clinical Staff Assistant II
UTSW Family Medicine Clinic at Texas Health Dallas

Fondly called “Mr. UT Southwestern” by his colleagues, Jose Rene Macias embodies the definition of a team player, exhibiting excellence, innovation, compassion, and collaboration in all he does.

Rene joined UTSW in 2013 as a fresh-faced 18-year-old, beginning his career in the animal research laboratories as a cage washer and Animal Technician. Since then, he’s steadily built a broad and varied resume across the institution, working as a Public Safety Officer with the UTSW Police Department and later as a Lead Patient Service Representative at Professional Office Buildings 1&2. Today, he brings the same can-do attitude as a Clinical Staff Assistant (CSA) at the UTSW Family Medicine Clinic at Texas Health Dallas, where his wide-ranging responsibilities include prepping the clinic prior to opening; organizing patient charts and forms; checking patients in and out; answering phones; and assisting with insurance questions, refills on medications, lab orders, referrals, and directions. In addition, Rene is always the first person to help reset the breaker whenever the power goes out.

In other words, he does it all – and for everyone.

He also enjoys training new CSA team members. “When I was new on the team, Rene taught me everything I needed to know to succeed,” said one teammate. “He also made me feel at ease. He is a fantastic trainer and leader.”

Rene also took the initiative to build onboarding document tip sheets for the primary care clinic and many subspecialty clinics – an invaluable contribution to the team. Additionally, he was the first to volunteer as a Sunshine Committee leader, and he dedicates extra time to building a huddle board, organizing team meetings, and brainstorming and executing creative ideas, all of which have tremendously boosted staff morale.

Rene’s dedication to excellence extends to patients, too. He is the first person everyone sees when they come into clinic, and he always greets patients or visitors with a friendly smile and a warm “Welcome in!”

“He truly exemplifies excellent customer service,” noted one colleague. “I saw him calm an agitated patient, find a solution, and put a smile on her face. I took notes so I could add his methods to my list of improved ways to serve our patients.”

And patients appreciate his efforts.

“Rene went above and beyond to get an appointment scheduled for my husband as well as records sent over,” noted one patient. “His helpfulness was unprecedented and made me cry tears of joy and appreciation.”

When Rene learned he would be receiving the Pinnacle Award for Teamwork, he said he couldn’t stop smiling from the inside out the whole day.

“It was an acknowledgment of all the little things I felt went unseen, such as helping a patient out before being clocked in,” he said. “This honor fuels my commitment to deliver great service. Being able to work at the No. 1 hospital in DFW and share this award with all my current and past colleagues who got me here today brings me great joy!”

Pinnacle Award for Compassion

Recognizes an employee who embodies the values of UT Southwestern and has gone above and beyond to foster an environment of exemplary service in which internal colleagues or patients are treated with respect, dignity, and kindness in every encounter, every day.

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Kaylee Suarez

Risk and Insurance Specialist
Safety and Business Continuity

When UT Southwestern employees sustain workplace injuries, Kaylee Suarez is their No. 1 advocate, striving to reduce administrative burdens as they recover and make their way back to work. As a Risk and Insurance Specialist in the Safety and Business Continuity Department, she treats every employee with empathy and dignity, ensuring they feel cared for, heard, and understood.

Her nominators for the Pinnacle Award for Compassion highlighted Kaylee’s innate ability to demonstrate thoughtfulness and integrity in every interaction, prioritizing kindness as she helps employees navigate their workers’ compensation claims. Her personalized approach focuses on identifying the best solution for the individual – not necessarily the fastest or easiest solution.

With compassionate support, clarity, and respect, Kaylee has helped hundreds of colleagues regain confidence and peace of mind during difficult circumstances.

She also has introduced meaningful improvements to the workers’ compensation process, including implementation of an employee emergency room (ER) billing procedure that reduces unnecessary anxiety for staff over ER charges. She helped establish a 24/7 Nurse Triage Service, providing injured employees with immediate, personalized advice from a UT Southwestern nurse about their injuries and optimal next steps for care.

In addition, Kaylee’s collaboration with the Human Resources Information Systems team to clarify My Time Away procedures has ensured that accurate timekeeping aligns with workers’ compensation regulations, reducing stress for injured employees and department administrators. Perhaps most significantly, Kaylee expanded the Return to Work program, ensuring every employee, regardless of working hours or role, receives fair, dignified accommodations if they have temporary restrictions or limitations as they transition back to work.

“Kaylee’s compassionate, collaborative leadership inspires a supportive atmosphere, consistently encouraging others to emulate her thoughtful and empathetic approach to serving our community,” noted her nominator. “Her genuine care, approachable demeanor, and unwavering integrity naturally inspire trust and cooperation across departments. Kaylee’s authenticity, humility, and genuine passion for helping others consistently elevate team morale and foster a more supportive and unified workplace culture.”

Kaylee said she has enjoyed many meaningful days at UTSW in her first three years here.

“Especially when I am able to help an injured employee return to work – even when their home department may need guidance on the importance of accommodations,” she said. “Seeing multiple teams come together with a shared goal of supporting the employee sends a powerful message that the employee’s well-being is a priority.”

Distinguished Service Award

This award honors an outstanding individual who has built a distinguished track record of success throughout their career at UTSW by consistently going above and beyond to further our mission to educate, discover, and heal by living out the UT Southwestern core values in their everyday work.

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Hugo Pons

Supervisor, Television Maintenance Engineer
IR Strategy and Engagement

In the world of rapidly evolving digital communication, Hugo Pons is a steadying force who helps keep UT Southwestern connected. His deep technical knowledge, honed over nearly 28 years at UTSW, makes his work look seamless, masking the immense behind-the-scenes effort and organization it takes to facilitate a flawless videoconference or livestream.

Whether he is providing feeds from operating rooms into classrooms or livestreaming a campuswide address from Dr. Podolsky, he strives to ensure the show goes on without a hitch, providing invaluable peace of mind to his clients, partners, and executive leadership.

“I own and take pride in what I do,” said Hugo, who serves as Supervising Television Maintenance Engineer. “I feel great when any event goes well. If the students were able to receive the content, if the President was able to have a successful meeting, if the researchers were able to advance their project … then I know I am in the right place.”

Hugo was certainly in the right place in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Suddenly, his ability to bring people together remotely became not just valuable but vital. He showed up at 5 a.m. for every campus-briefing day so Dr. Podolsky could connect with staff, faculty, and students through a rapidly changing landscape.

Recognized as an essential resource for his colleagues as well as UT Southwestern leaders, Hugo is, without fail, willing to offer his assistance and insight on how to best present material of all kinds to any audience.

“I always appreciate Hugo’s assistance and expertise, offering suggestions to aspects I may have overlooked and wanting to ensure we deliver a worthy product,” one colleague commented in his nomination. “I also appreciate Hugo’s patient demeanor.”

Among a treasure trove of memories, Hugo recalls one standout moment that left him in awe of the work being done at UT Southwestern.

“I was in the OR filming a brain-stimulation procedure,” he said. “I will never forget the satisfaction of the patient when she was able to stretch her arm, which had been paralyzed for years. For me, it was a miracle that the physician and the technology were able to provide so much relief to a human being.”

Sharing live meetings and presentations is rarely predictable; technical difficulties are always a looming concern. But Hugo’s experience invariably puts his colleagues at ease.

“Hugo is a rare soul who possesses an otherworldly combination of quiet grace, humility, gentle command, expert knowledge, innovation, kindness, and patience,” one of his nominators wrote. “For years, his unflappable demeanor has provided a calming, reassuring presence for clients, partners, and executive leadership. When things get hairy or uncertain before or during an important broadcast, you can trust that through either one glance or one conversation with Hugo, everything will be OK and handled expertly. With Hugo on the case, you can feel your blood pressure drop, and you can exhale, knowing all will be right.”