United by excellence: Meet the newest Strauss Awards winners
Congratulations to the latest recipients of the Diana and Richard C. Strauss Service Excellence Awards!
The winners for the second quarter of 2025 were celebrated during a virtual event on Aug. 22, hosted by Jonathan Efron, M.D., Executive Vice President for Health System Affairs.
Each quarter, six Health System team members are nominated by their peers for exemplifying excellence and professionalism on the job.
Three things define 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. Efron honors the winners during the virtual event.
Dana Becker, M.S., CGC
Certified Genetic Counselor
Ob/Gyn and Fetal Medicine
“Dana is calm and clearheaded when tackling even the most complicated cases. She approaches problems logically, with a focus on finding a solution.”
UTSW career: Mrs. Becker is the newest team member in this Strauss Awards class, having joined UT Southwestern in February 2024 after three years in private practice.
In her role: She consults with expecting mothers and couples attempting to have a child, helping them understand the impact of genetic conditions. Often, they’ve received unusual test results or face complex clinical scenarios. Mrs. Becker helps them navigate confusing information to make informed, data-driven decisions about their health and the health of their baby.
What she loves most about her job: “I love my weekly team meetings with the small but mighty Reproductive Genetic Counseling team. We talk through challenging cases, explore ways to expand our services and roles, and support each other. I love how all my interactions with UT Southwestern employees are kind and collaborative – we all push each other to be the best people and employees we can be every day.”
Head of the class: In addition to her patient-facing role, Mrs. Becker serves as an Adjunct Instructor in the School of Health Professions at UTSW. She helped develop and co-direct the Reproductive Genetics and Embryology course in fall 2024 for the first cohort of the Genetic Counseling Program.
Lifting the burden: Many patients who were referred to her didn’t know genetic counseling services existed until they needed them. “Most patients leave the session with a weight lifted and a clearer understanding of what lies ahead,” she said.
Off the clock: Mrs. Becker is committed to mastering her profession even outside of work. She’s a member of both the Texas Society of Genetic Counselors (TSGC) and the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC), using these networks to stay informed about the latest advances. She recently secured a $30,000 NSGC research grant to further her work.
Thomas Betts, B.S.
Patient Services Representative
Guest and Patient Services
“Thom is truly an exceptional employee, known for his proactive approach and unwavering commitment to patient care. His welcoming demeanor and dedication always elevate patient and guest experiences.”
UTSW career: Mr. Betts, a former dental hygienist, joined UT Southwestern 11 years ago at the suggestion of a neighbor who recognized his exceptional people skills.
In his role: Often the first face patients see, Mr. Betts describes the patient service rep’s role as “the Google Maps of UT Southwestern,” helping people find their way to appointments.
Platinum standard: He is also a seven-time recipient of UTSW’s Gold PACT pin; an employee earns a Gold pin for collecting 16 PACT cards for providing excellent service to UT Southwestern, its patients, and their families. In 2023, he was awarded the coveted Platinum PACT pin (after reaching Gold status five times). Mr. Betts called this honor the highlight of his career because he felt truly appreciated.
Making history: Mr. Betts’ most memorable day at UTSW was Dec. 6, 2014, when the team transferred patients from the former St. Paul University Hospital to the new William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. He called it a phenomenal example of teamwork and a unique opportunity to be part of history.
All the way home: Mr. Betts’ dedication extends to a patient's departure process. He makes it his mission to be sure everyone has a ride home waiting for them and that they get safely to their car before his work is done.
Off the clock: “I consider myself an avid gardener. I’ve got more than 30 varieties of rose bushes I enjoy. I bring my roses to work and place them on my desk so patients, employees, or anyone passing by can enjoy them. I like to spread the beauty.”
Courtney Little, B.S.N., RN
Registered Nurse
7 Green, Clements University Hospital
“Her compassion is evident in every interaction. She fosters a team environment built on respect, support, and collaboration.”
UTSW career: Mrs. Little is beginning her eighth year at UT Southwestern, having joined during her nurse residency and advancing to nurse preceptor and charge nurse.
In her role: Mrs. Little works with liver transplant patients, educating and preparing them for lifesaving operations.
What she loves most about her job: “I love teaching people, especially my hepatology patients – those whose livers are failing and who have been getting sicker. I love helping them understand the process of getting healthy again. That’s the most rewarding part of my job.”
New path leads to new appreciation: “I originally wanted to work in neurology, but I was matched to 7 Green, and it turned out to be a great fit. I’ve fallen in love with hepatology and my liver transplant patients. It’s amazing to see someone come in so sick and then receive the gift of new life. When they return in three months, six months, or a year, they’re like a whole new person.”
Speaking your language: Mrs. Little enjoys learning new languages and teaches herself in anticipation of using them during her travels. She’s currently studying Scottish Gaelic.
Off the clock: Outside of UTSW, Mrs. Little makes a difference in her community in many ways, including serving as a substitute school nurse and participating in various charitable endeavors.
Rosemary Phillips, RN
Triage Registered Nurse
Neurology
“Our neurology clinics are far from routine. Rosemary Phillips was instrumental in developing a new service line, helping UT Southwesterrn to become the primary national referral center for aerospace neurology.”
UTSW career: A registered nurse for 38 years, Ms. Phillips has spent the past nine years at UT Southwestern.
In her role: In addition to working with general neurology patients – helping them overcome debilitating headache pain – Ms. Phillips was instrumental in developing the Aerospace Neurology Clinic, which assists pilots grounded by head injuries in getting their wings back.
What she loves most about her job: “When you’re finally able to help patients find a treatment that allows them to live their lives day to day without constant pain – that’s incredibly rewarding. When patients tell us we’ve found a solution for them, those are the moments that mean the most to a nurse.”
Long-distance connection: One of Ms. Phillips’ most memorable success stories involves a pilot from Hawaii who needed diagnostic testing. With few aviation neurology clinics worldwide, he was facing a costly and time-consuming trip to UTSW. Ms. Phillips connected him with a clinic in Hawaii that could perform the testing, saving him the journey.
Breaking new ground: In both the General and Aerospace Neurology clinics, there’s no such thing as a routine day. Physicians and nurses regularly encounter unprecedented cases with no established workflows. Ms. Phillips excels at making connections – bringing doctors’ plans to life by identifying the right contacts for procedures and determining how to code new processes into Epic.
Off the clock: When she’s not helping pilots return to the cockpit or patients live pain-free, Ms. Phillips is in her kitchen, peering into the oven at one of her delectable baked creations. Her specialty is cheesecake, and she loves experimenting with new recipes, much to the delight of her friends and colleagues.
Eddy Souvannarath, CHAA
Patient Access Representative III
Clements University Hospital
“Eddy consistently demonstrates professionalism, compassion, and efficiency in every patient interaction, making a meaningful difference in the patient experience from the first point of contact. His calm demeanor, attention to detail, and ability to handle high-pressure situations with grace make him an invaluable member of our team.”
UTSW career: Mr. Souvannarath joined UT Southwestern three years ago as a temporary worker. He impressed his supervisors so much that they asked him to stay permanently.
In his role: When patients are admitted from the Emergency Department, Mr. Souvannarath quickly secures the required information, carefully balancing urgency with sensitivity to avoid interrupting the care process. He’s so skilled that nurses from other units have asked him to join their teams, but he’s politely declined out of love for his current role.
What he loves most about his job: “My favorite part is meeting all the different patients. I don’t like sitting behind a desk. I prefer going room to room, talking to people and getting to know them. You’d be surprised how much you can learn about someone in just a short conversation.”
Legacy of care: When Mr. Souvannarath joined UTSW, he felt he had finally embraced his destiny. His father was a volunteer nurse in Laos, and while Mr. Souvannarath admired him deeply, he initially wanted a different career path. But once he started working here, he found the experience more fulfilling than he ever imagined.
Mindful motion: After a long shift, Mr. Souvannarath doesn’t head for the couch; he heads to the gym or out for a run. Whether lifting weights or pounding the pavement, he finds exercise clears his head. While it’s mostly about staying healthy and having fun, his ultimate goal is to run a marathon or compete in an Ironman competition.
Off the clock: Mr. Souvannarath’s passion for helping others extends beyond work. He volunteers with Meals on Wheels, ensuring seniors and homebound individuals receive nutritious meals and meaningful human connection to help combat loneliness.
Emmanuel Varghese, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Palliative Care
“Emmanuel brings a thoughtful and proactive approach to addressing complex clinical and psychosocial situations. He’s always thinking ahead and considering how to improve care for patients and processes for the team.”
UTSW career: Mr. Varghese has worked at UT Southwestern for two-and-a-half years, following three years in private practice.
In his role: He helps patients and their families cope with serious illnesses, offering emotional support, advocating for their needs, and connecting them with vital resources.
What he loves most about his job: “Every day is a great day at work because I get to support patients and their loved ones during difficult times. The most memorable days are when I help them begin to emotionally accept where they are and prepare for an uncertain future.”
Inspired solutions: Mr. Varghese is known for developing good ideas. One example is his initiative to create journals for family members of palliative care patients, giving them a space to collect and reflect on their thoughts. These journals have become a meaningful outlet during challenging times.
Attention to detail: His improvements to the note template used by social workers have streamlined documentation and created consistency across the team, ensuring patients receive the best care possible. He also took the initiative to have patient handouts translated into Spanish, helping non-English-speaking families stay informed and engaged in their care.
Off the clock: Mr. Varghese is a passionate Garba dancer – a traditional Gujarati style of dance performed during the Hindu festival of Navratri. He picked it up in college and later served on the national board of a nonprofit Garba dance competition, volunteering as an organizer for two years.