Honoring the ‘Pinnacle’ of excellence at UT Southwestern
Inaugural awards program shines a light on outstanding employees in multiple categories
Six exceptional employees who embody UT Southwestern’s standards of excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion were honored at the inaugural Pinnacle Awards ceremony, held June 17 in the Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium on South Campus. Each award recipient has made a meaningful impact on the institution and their colleagues.
For Lauren Smith, it is her dedication to mentoring, motivating, and welcoming more than 100,000 new hires over her 23 years here that earned her the Spirit of UT Southwestern Award. In Jose Rene Macias’ case, his willingness to lend a helping hand to patients and colleagues resulted in his Pinnacle Award for Teamwork. The Pinnacle Award for Innovation went to Amber Gemmell, M.S., CGC, in recognition of her ambitious efforts to create a unique genetic counseling education program, while Kaylee Suarez received the Pinnacle Award for Compassion for her support of employees as they navigate often complex workers’ compensation claims.
Thuong “Trizzy” Bui’s work on the Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging team that transformed standards to reduce radiation exposure for patients, faculty, and staff garnered her the Pinnacle Award for Excellence while Distinguished Service Award recipient Hugo Pons has been connecting the campus community via video for more than 25 years.
During the ceremony, UT Southwestern President Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., said the Pinnacle Awards were created to recognize the impactful and meaningful work of employees who exemplify UTSW’s core values.
“It’s wonderful to feel the energy in this room. We are here to celebrate what is great about UT Southwestern – the people,” Dr. Podolsky said. “This is an opportunity to celebrate our colleagues’ exceptional commitment to our mission and the ways in which they truly bring life to our institutional values.”
Spirit of UT Southwestern Award
Ms. Smith, the Senior Organizational Development Consultant for Talent Development in Human Resources, is an uplifting, insightful, and inspiring presence on campus, said Jeremy Falke, M.B.A., Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.
“She is the kind of person who makes you feel seen – whether it is your first day or 25th year.”
As the first honoree to accept her award on stage, Ms. Smith thanked Dr. Podolsky for his leadership and support of all UTSW employees.
“It is such an honor to be up here,” she said, adding that her family had all come from Tyler to celebrate this moment with her. “I want to thank the people who nominated me, and I want to thank everyone who emailed me, called me, Teams messaged me, and brought so much joy to my life.”
Described by one of her nominators as having “sunshine in her pocket,” Ms. Smith said she never imagined she would work in health care – but she is still humbled by the opportunity to play a role in making life better for employees and patients.
“The work you do here is incredible,” she told the crowd. “And I’m just lucky to be a part of it.”
Pinnacle Award for Excellence
Ms. Bui, the Technical Supervisor in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, was recognized for her efforts to improve safety standards.
She led a study that demonstrated it is possible to lower the dosage of radioactive agents used to develop medical scans without compromising PET imaging quality. The proposed dosage change resulted in reduced radiation exposure for patients as well as staff members – many of whom were in the audience and celebrated by holding up makeshift stick signs with Ms. Bui’s image on them.
Award presenter W. P. Andrew Lee, M.D., Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost, and Dean of UT Southwestern Medical School, said Ms. Bui raised the bar of clinical care and research. “She is someone who drives meaningful improvement,” he said.
Ms. Bui expressed gratitude to her mentors, the selection committee, and leadership, saying she would not be where she is today without the support of staff, faculty, and others.
“I am 100% confident that this is the only place I want to be,” she said in her video profile. “UT Southwestern is where it is at.”
Pinnacle Award for Innovation
Ms. Gemmell, a Senior Genetic Counselor in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and an Adjunct Instructor in the School of Health Professions, was honored for her development of the NextGen Counseling Education Program, a unique outreach and training program that provides online lessons taught by experienced professionals.
She conceptualized the idea while participating in UTSW’s Aspiring Leaders Program, building it from the ground up while continuing to see patients daily in the Cancer Genetics Program.
“Innovation begins with asking ‘what if,’” Dr. Lee said. “Amber did not wait for others to find answers in her field.”
Ms. Gemmell designed the online lessons, which are taught by professional genetic counselors, to help prospective students overcome barriers to learning about the rapidly expanding field.
“This recognition today is a huge step in recognizing genetic counseling and the huge role it plays in the lives of all people,” she said. “This award is a reminder that together at UT Southwestern we can do and achieve great things.”
Pinnacle Award for Teamwork
Mr. Macias, Clinical Staff Assistant II, is fondly called “Mr. UT Southwestern” by his colleagues because he is often the first person to greet visitors and the first to offer a helping hand, said Marc A. Nivet, Ed.D., M.B.A., Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement, when presenting the award. “It’s no wonder that patients often ask for him by name,” Dr. Nivet said.
Mr. Macias has held numerous jobs since joining UT Southwestern in 2013, starting out at age 18 as a cage washer and technician in animal research. Now at UTSW Family Medicine Clinic at Texas Health Dallas, he does everything from organizing patient charts to training new employees to assisting with insurance questions.
Holding up his award, Mr. Macias expressed his pride at having “grown up” at UTSW, and he thanked his wife and young sons, who were present, those who nominated him, and his colleagues, who gave him a rousing round of applause.
“I am thankful from the bottom of my heart for this award,” he said. “This award is not only about my efforts, but for so many around me who have assisted me along the way.”
Pinnacle Award for Compassion
Ms. Suarez, a Risk and Insurance Specialist, is a pro at getting people back on their feet. She supports employees during one of their most challenging experiences, a workplace injury, said presenter Holly G. Crawford, M.B.A., Executive Vice President for Business Affairs.
Ms. Suarez was recognized for her role as a fierce advocate for employees and for reducing administrative burdens as they recover and return to work. In just three years at UTSW, she helped establish a 24/7 Nurse Triage Service, providing injured employees with advice from a UT Southwestern nurse as well as expanding the Return to Work program and implementing a new employee emergency room billing procedure to reduce unnecessary anxiety for staff over ER charges. In accepting her award, Ms. Suarez said she has enjoyed many meaningful days at UTSW.
“Giving back to other people is what I care about most,” she said. “I’m only one person, but I am here for each and every one of you.”
Distinguished Service Award
Over his nearly 28-year career at UTSW, Mr. Pons has built a reputation as the “go-to guy.”
The Television Maintenance Engineer Supervisor has helped UTSW stay connected, even when a historic pandemic made that extremely difficult in 2020. Mr. Pons’ technical knowledge and behind-the-scenes efforts have made videoconferences and livestreams flawless. And he is regularly recognized by his colleagues and UTSW leaders as an essential resource on campus.
“With Hugo on the case, you can feel your blood pressure drop,” said co-presenter Jenny Doren, M.B.A., M.S., Vice President for Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs. “You can exhale, knowing all will be right.”
Mr. Pons said the “live” aspect of his job still gives him an adrenaline rush, and he takes great pride in the work done at UTSW. “To be honest, I am just a simple guy,” he said, accepting his award. “I believe in UT Southwestern. I believe in our mission; I am a part of it. My heart is with UT Southwestern.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dr. Podolsky invited award recipients, attendees, and guests to a reception on McDermott Plaza that included food, drinks, and music.
“You exemplify what is the essence of UT Southwestern and inspire me and all of our colleagues on campus,” Dr. Podolsky said of the Pinnacle Award honorees.
Award Winner Videos
See below for special videos that were played for each winner during the program. To enlarge any video below, click on the “fullscreen” icon at the far right of the video player.
Spirit of UT Southwestern Award
Lauren Smith
Senior Organizational Development Consultant
Talent Development – Human Resources
Pinnacle Award for Excellence
Thuong “Trizzy” Bui
Technical Supervisor
Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Pinnacle Award for Innovation
Amber Gemmell, M.S., CGC
Senior Genetic Counselor, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Adjunct Instructor, School of Health Professions
Pinnacle Award for Teamwork
Jose Rene Macias
Clinical Staff Assistant II
UTSW Family Medicine Clinic at Texas Health Dallas
Pinnacle Award for Compassion
Kaylee Suarez
Risk and Insurance Specialist
Safety and Business Continuity
Distinguished Service Award
Hugo Pons
Supervisor, Television Maintenance Engineer
IR Strategy and Engagement
Endowed Titles
Dr. Lee holds the Atticus James Gill, M.D. Chair in Medical Science.
Dr. Podolsky holds the Philip O’Bryan Montgomery, Jr., M.D. Distinguished Presidential Chair in Academic Administration and the Charles Cameron Sprague Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Science.