With more than 26,000 employees, 4,000 learners, and millions of patients and visitors, UT Southwestern operates with the scale, complexity, and energy of a small city.

To keep the city humming, it takes excellence and innovation, teamwork and compassion, spirit and service – the very values UTSW’s Pinnacle Awards were created to honor.

On June 17, UT Southwestern will celebrate the recipients of the second annual Pinnacle Awards. Individually, these staff members represent a broad range of responsibilities across the institution: two technicians, a digital strategist, a clinical trial regulator, financial aid advisers, and a clinic staff assistant. Collectively, they are part of the “glue” that holds the city together, making it a place where people want to work, study, receive care, and reach their full potential.

“Across UT Southwestern, the work we do each day reflects a shared commitment to improving lives through education, discovery, and patient care,” said UTSW President Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D. “That work is made possible by the outstanding contributions of individuals and teams, as exemplified by this year’s Pinnacle Award honorees, who go beyond what is expected, strengthen our culture, support their colleagues, and help us meet the needs of those we serve.”

Dr. Podolsky will be joined by institutional leaders to present the Pinnacle Awards on Wednesday, June 17, at 4 p.m. in the Tom and Lula Gooch Auditorium. The ceremony will be followed by a reception on McDermott Plaza. Please register to attend in person or view a livestream of the event online.

Prior to the ceremony, please take a few minutes to learn more about this year’s honorees, and join us in congratulating them all.

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.

Darren Fleming

Senior Regulatory Associate
Clinical Research Office – Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Academic Affairs

Darren Fleming is a by-the-book type of guy. He has to be.

As Senior Regulatory Associate at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Darren reviews research study protocols with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UT Southwestern Institutional Review Board (IRB). He drafts informed consent forms for patients considering clinical trials. He ensures all paperwork is completed and deadlines are met.

But lest you think he spends his days buried in documents, Darren is also a founding member of the Simmons Cancer Center Clinical Research Office (CRO) Employee Engagement Planning Committee. His co-workers know him better as the unofficial “Director of Fun.”

During the early days of the pandemic and remote work, Darren helped start Friday virtual meetups to bring his CRO colleagues together and offset the feeling of isolation. The centerpiece was a trivia game show Darren created called “Say What?!” that continues to this day. Topics range from movies and music to pop culture and holidays. A Super Bowl edition? Done. Mardi Gras? Check. (Darren is a proud New Orleans native.) One memorable session paid homage to The Golden Girls, complete with Darren dressed as a visitor to the show’s Shady Pines Retirement Home.

Darren, who jokes that he could have been a court jester in another life, loves planning and hosting the events, which create moments that help colleagues think – and connect – outside the box.

“His Friday meetups are more than just games,” a nominator wrote. “They are a meaningful outlet that strengthens relationships, boosts morale, and reminds us of the importance of joy in the workplace.”

When asked about his ideal workday, Darren doesn’t hesitate: “Getting a clean audit report with zero regulatory findings.” His face lights up when he talks about creating spreadsheets and filing documents. But, he added, the day wouldn’t be complete without helping the CRO team kick off the weekend “with a good laugh.”

Darren joined UT Southwestern in 2002 and quickly found his calling in research regulation. In 2018, he brought those skills to the Simmons Cancer Center and four years later stepped into his current role supporting the Multi-Site Investigator Initiated Trials (IIT) Team. As the Cancer Center’s champion for eFlorence, an electronic regulatory management system, he developed an improved file structure that was ultimately adopted institutionwide. He also has become the go-to resource for anyone needing help with eFlorence and is a valued part of the team. He has received an impressive 22 PACT cards since joining Simmons Cancer Center and earned its CRO Energizer Award in 2024 and 2025.

“Darren embodies the very spirit of UT Southwestern through his unwavering positivity, creativity, and commitment to fostering connection and engagement across our teams,” one nominator said. “He has a unique ability to bring people together, uplift those around him, and create an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and inspired.”

That spirit extends beyond regulatory work.

One of Darren’s most memorable moments at UT Southwestern was encountering a patient sitting alone in a waiting room of what was then the HIV Research Unit. The man was newly diagnosed, terrified, and in tears. Darren took the time to talk with him, offer reassurance, and “let him know about all the resources we had to help him and all the great doctors and nurses who would take good care of him.”

And in true Darren fashion, he connected, providing the support that was needed in the moment. The two even shared a laugh.

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.

Hugo Lopez

Automation Integration Specialist
Central Data Acquisition System (CDAS) and Controls – Utilities, Business Affairs

Anyone who has ever walked from their car in triple-digit Texas heat and then felt the pure relief of stepping into a cool UT Southwestern facility can thank Hugo Lopez. He’s been keeping our campus cool – and warm during winter – with grace and skill for years.

An Automation Integration Specialist in Central Data Acquisition System and Controls, Hugo installs, maintains, and repairs the heating and cooling systems in the Thermal Energy Plants (TEP) serving UTSW’s South and North campuses and William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. He specializes in integrating equipment into the building automation system. He also troubleshoots and enhances systems that support critical functions throughout our clinical facilities, including instrument sterilization, CT scans, MRIs, and labs.

“Hugo is one of our most valuable team players,” said David Kam, a Utilities Operations Manager who helped nominate Hugo for the Pinnacle Award for Excellence. “Without Hugo’s technical skills and knowledge, we would have to rely on contractors for all our building automation system needs. He understands our mission to provide the campus with reliable heating and cooling throughout the year and goes beyond to ensure that we continue lifesaving healthcare without disruption.”

Richard Stall, a Utilities Operations CDAS and Controls Manager and nominator, cited two major projects over the past year that highlighted Hugo’s invaluable contributions, preventing delays and saving thousands of dollars for the institution.

When the newest chiller at the North Thermal Energy Plant was installed, Hugo discovered problems with pneumatic lines and control cabling. He took immediate action and identified a way to provide temporary power to the controls system so service wouldn’t be disrupted. Hugo’s proactive approach saved UTSW more than $23,000 in contractor costs and improved the reliability of cooling water for CTs, MRIs, and lab equipment.

Similarly, when cooling system valves failed to maintain proper flow and temperature during a South Campus TEP digitization project, Hugo – or “Hugo Boss,” as some of his co-workers affectionately refer to him – quickly diagnosed the source of the problems. The old pneumatic controls were failing. So he removed the old pneumatics and installed digital ones, calibrated them, and created a program that saved UTSW more than $12,000. The result was no more temperature fluctuations in clinics, the student commons, labs, and animal holding rooms.

Hugo’s commitment to his work and his colleagues was on full display during the January 2026 ice storm. He was the first volunteer to provide 24/7 support for a busy Utilities team of more than 60 people, and Hugo stayed on campus for three straight days, managing the logistical needs of his colleagues, including finding open restaurants, ordering, and picking up food for everyone.

“Hugo’s skills as a leader exemplify conscientiousness, dependability, trust, and being committed to the success of others,” his nominators said. “All these attributes promote strong teamwork, group dynamics, building relationships, and meaningful day-to-day interactions with colleagues, managers, and clients.”

For his part, Hugo said what motivates him each day is the responsibility of supporting the environments and critical equipment that so many people rely on.

“For me, a great day at work is diagnosing and resolving HVAC issues and improving facility comfort and efficiency across the entire campus, from offices and animal resource centers to patient care areas,” he said. “It reinforces the importance of my role in supporting the campus and the teams who depend on these systems every day.”

Pinnacle Award for Teamwork

Recognizes a team that embodies the spirit of collaboration by integrating different perspectives to achieve a common goal. This award honors those who look beyond their own functions to gather input from stakeholders, ensuring that integrity and excellence are at the forefront of every process improvement and service delivered.

Members of the Office of Student Financial Aid team are (from left) Elisha Cruz, Latarsha Evans, Do’Nisa Hooks, Melet Leafgreen, Lindsay Partridge, Danchees “D.” Ingram, Deanne Pickney, Liz Rubi, and Cyndi Truong.

Office of Student Financial Aid

Office of the Provost – Academic Affairs

“The Office of Student Financial Aid team members are the unsung heroes of this institution.”

That lofty praise comes from Samantha Greenberg, Ph.D., founding Director of the Genetic Counseling Training Program in the UT Southwestern School of Health Professions – one of many who attest to the reliably outstanding work of Director Melet Leafgreen, M.L.A., FAAC, and her dedicated team.

“They exemplify a collaborative, problem-solving approach to so many of the processes that affect our students and programs – financial aid, student accounting, admissions, and leadership, among others,” Dr. Greenberg said. “When federal policies change, the team works with stakeholders to review impacts, gather operational feedback, and develop coordinated strategies that ultimately benefit our students. My experience with their work has been nothing short of phenomenal.”

The financial aid team partners with all four of UTSW’s schools – the Medical School, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Professions, and Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health – to understand and support their students’ specific needs. The team received glowing, heartfelt testimonials from representatives of each school.

Joseph Su, Ph.D., M.P.H., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the O’Donnell School of Public Health, called the team an “indispensable partner” since the school opened in fall 2023.

“Navigating the launch of a new school brings complexity and uncertainty, especially for students managing the financial responsibilities of graduate education,” Dr. Su said. “The Student Financial Aid team has provided steady guidance, clarity, and reassurance every step of the way. Their compassion and student-centered approach truly set them apart.”

Beth Deschenes, D.P.T., Vice Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy in the School of Health Professions, said the Office of Student Financial Aid “plays a critical role in ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from pursuing and completing their health professions education at UT Southwestern. From expanding scholarship opportunities to providing thoughtful financial counseling and navigating the many complexities of financial aid, they approach every challenge with professionalism, compassion, and a clear focus on student success.”

In their dual testimonial, Blake Barker, M.D., Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and Angela Mihalic, M.D., Dean of Medical Students and Associate Dean for Student Affairs, described the team as “steadfast advocates for our students, consistently going above and beyond to ensure their financial needs are understood and met with compassion and expertise.”

In addition, the team meets with prospective students at outreach events to discuss financial aid options and scholarship opportunities.

Melet, who has 20-plus years’ experience in student financial aid offices at TCU, UTA, and UTSW, embraces the opportunity to break down barriers for her team “so they can be where students need us the most,” she said. “That involves facilitating partnerships with other student-serving offices, fostering a culture of transparency and accuracy within all our activities, and allowing innovation when opportunities arise.”

Deanne Pickney, Ph.D., a Financial Wellness Coordinator on the team, creates financial literacy programming for students and meets with them to discuss borrowing, repayment options, and long-term financial planning. Watching students move from uncertainty to confidence is why she loves her job.

“When they feel comfortable asking questions and sharing that they finally understand their financial situation, I know the work I am doing is making an impact,” she said. “Those moments remind me this work is about more than education – it is about empowering learners to feel in control of their financial future.”

Lindsay Partridge, a Senior Financial Aid Advisor, said she supports students beyond their financial aid needs.

“I believe part of UT Southwestern’s excellence is making sure students know they are valued as a whole person, not just for their academic achievements or careers,” she said. “While much of my work involves explaining technical financial aid information, the human side is what matters most to me.”

Danchees “D.” Ingram, M.B.A., FAAC, the team’s Associate Director, said she’s driven by the opportunity each day to influence policies that can impact students, staff, and the institution’s legacy.

“For me, it’s about fulfilling a deeper purpose,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to help remove financial barriers for students who have the ability and determination to succeed. … They deserve the opportunity to do so.”

Office of Student Financial Aid Team Members

• Melet Leafgreen, M.L.A., FAAC, Director
• Danchees “D.” Ingram, M.B.A., FAAC, Associate Director
• Elisha Cruz, Senior Financial Aid Advisor
• Lindsay Partridge, Senior Financial Aid Advisor
• Latarsha Evans, M.S., Financial Aid Advisor
• Do’Nisa Hooks, Financial Aid Advisor
• Deanne Pickney, Ph.D., Financial Wellness Coordinator
• Cyndi Truong, Scholarship Coordinator
• Liz Rubi, CLSSGB, Business Analyst

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 our mission.

Chelsea Landon, M.H.A.

Director of Health System Emerging Strategies
Health System Strategy and Business Development, Health System Affairs

Chelsea Landon, M.H.A., remembers the pure exhilaration she felt when UTSWMyCare first launched in Apple’s app store.

“After spending so much time involved in the work behind the scenes, it was incredibly rewarding to finally see it come to life,” said Chelsea, who led the design, build, and launch of the custom app that has helped transform the digital experience for patients and families at UT Southwestern. “Finally being able to download it myself made the work feel real in a completely different way.”

Since that day in 2022, UTSWMyCare has been downloaded more than 1 million times by both iPhone and Android users and it has become the top-rated health system app in the country, used by 12,000-plus people daily.

From integrating the MyChart platform to assisting visitors with wayfinding and facilitating telehealth appointments, the app has made it seamless for users to find the same medical records, lab results, doctor’s appointments, and messages on their phones as they would on MyChart. And UTSWMyCare’s navigation tools offer visitors turn-by-turn directions through the maze of buildings on campus, guiding people anywhere from the parking lot or lobby directly to their doctor’s office. Patients can even log on for video visits on UTSWMyCare.

The simple-to-use app represents countless hours of hard work.

“Chelsea’s achievement is innovative because of how she translated strategic vision into operational reality at scale,” wrote her nominator. “She navigates technical, clinical, and operational complexity to deliver fully integrated digital tools that work seamlessly for patients and providers.”

And it’s not the only time Chelsea has significantly improved UTSW’s digital infrastructure in her six years here. She operationalized the UTSWRefer app, which offers referring providers easy access to UTSW’s vast network of specialists, leading-edge clinical trials, and other advanced resources they might not otherwise be able to find.

Chelsea also led the implementation of a remote patient monitoring program, which includes wearables and continuous glucose monitoring devices, and the expansion of e-visits and e-consults. Additionally, she serves as co-Chair of the Health System AI Workgroup, helping lead the institution to the forefront of another digital frontier.

“Her ability to align stakeholders, remove barriers, and deliver measurable results distinguishes her work as transformational – demonstrating
enterprise-level innovation through execution,” her nominator said.

While Chelsea’s role at UTSW exists at the nexus of design, innovation, and technology, she embraces the opportunity to work “at the elbow,” helping train providers as they navigate a new workflow or technology and building their confidence so they can deliver the best care possible.

“My greatest days at work are never about one single moment,” she said. “The best days are the ones where collaboration, innovation, and service all come together and I can clearly see the direct impact on both our care teams and our patients.”

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.

Priscilla Olivares

Clinic Staff Assistant III
Ambulatory Clinic – Bariatrics, Texas Health Dallas (THD), Health System Affairs

When patients arrive at the UT Southwestern Bariatric Surgery and Weight Wellness clinic at Texas Health Dallas – sometimes feeling flustered, nervous, or distracted by the demands of their day – Priscilla Olivares is often the first person ready to meet them.

And she never fails to leave a lasting impression.

“Priscilla is a true ray of sunshine,” said one of her five nominators for the Pinnacle Award for Compassion. “She brings calm to stressful situations and treats every person with dignity. Her ability to stay cool under pressure, paired with her natural empathy and grace, supports both patients and colleagues.”

As a Clinic Staff Assistant III, she helps guide patients through check-in, scheduling, and registration, but she also knows part of her job is to set the right tone for the visit.

“My goal is to make them happy,” said Priscilla, a former massage therapist who in her three years at UTSW has quickly honed her ability to read people and put them at ease. “Sometimes they just need to be heard.”

Like the time a patient started to panic because they arrived at the clinic without any money to pay for parking. Priscilla calmly offered to follow the individual down to the garage after the appointment and pay the fee so they could leave stress-free.

Or when patients show up at the seventh floor clinic thinking they’re checking in for surgery only to learn they’re supposed to be at the main THD hospital across the street. Priscilla happily walks them there, chatting along the way and ensuring they get where they need to go.

Colleagues said one of her true superpowers is being able to recognize when someone – co-worker or patient – is feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or unheard.

“She responds with patience and presence rather than urgency,” a nominator wrote. “She listens without interrupting, validates concerns without judgment, and follows through to ensure needs are truly met. Her compassion is deliberate and consistent, not situational.”

All of Priscilla’s nominators described her positive energy and deep commitment to outstanding patient service.

“Patients never feel rushed with Priscilla, whether they’re in the clinic or on the phone asking questions. She treats them like family,” one nominator said. “These daily behaviors – small but intentional – create an environment where kindness is not occasional, but expected and modeled.”

Priscilla also finds small but meaningful ways to lift up colleagues: greeting everyone by name, thanking them for all they do, and stepping in when someone experiences a personal loss. Priscilla doesn’t have to be told; she just takes the initiative to adjust schedules and coordinate meal support for a teammate in need.

Even more important is the ripple effect she has on everyone around her.

“Being around Priscilla just makes you happy, feel warm, and welcome,” one nominator wrote. “And her example influences others. New team members quickly learn what respectful, patient-centered service looks like. Experienced colleagues feel supported and inspired. Patients and families frequently express gratitude not just for the clinical care received, but for the compassion and dignity with which it was delivered.

“Simply put, she is our superstar.”

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.

Jose “Joe” Flores

Automotive Mechanic
Fleet Maintenance Operations – Facilities, Business Affairs

At 4 a.m. on any given weekday, hours before the sun rises, Jose “Joe” Flores is already at work, setting up in UT Southwestern’s auto shop where he oversees its fleet of 279 vehicles, including shuttles, plus trailers, Kubota and lawn equipment, and boom lifts. While most people are still fast asleep, Joe is hustling around inspecting the various campus shuttles before they begin hitting the road at 5 a.m. sharp.

After 15 years at UT Southwestern, Joe knows what it takes to keep a busy academic medical center running. Not only is he the primary mechanic for the carousel of shuttles ferrying passengers across campus all day, but his knowledge of engines, motors, and specialty equipment makes him the de facto authority on every other piece of heavy machinery, ranging from wheelchair lifts and emergency exit doors to GPS technology.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the ways things work,” Joe said. “I started taking things apart when I was 12 years old with lawn mowers and worked my way up to cars.”

Now he provides maintenance, repairs, and roadside assistance for vehicles belonging to the UTSW Police, Information Resources, Hospital Couriers, Parking Services, and Pharmacy in addition to the shuttle fleet. If the Connector Shuttle breaks down on the bridge, which it has, Joe rides to the rescue and tows it back to the auto shop lot.

And Joe’s Mr. Fix-It skills go beyond two- and four-wheeled vehicles. On at least two separate occasions, when rainstorms threatened to flood an area on North Campus, Joe was the on-site lead mechanic who kept the water pump functioning to prevent any damage to the electrical equipment – averting a potentially crippling power outage – or destruction of the campus mail room. He’s also a critical member of the inclement weather team, maintaining specialized equipment such as ice melt spreaders, deicers, and snowplows that help keep UTSW’s hospitals open and safe for employees and patients during Texas’ unpredictable winters.

“Joe’s dedication to the University and his unwavering commitment to serving others make his impact far greater than what is visible on the surface,” a nominator wrote. “He is the quiet force behind the scenes who makes everything work.”

For his part, Joe loves taking on a challenge and solving problems before they snowball.

“I like being part of a team that works together to find solutions,” he said. “And seeing drivers smile as they pull out on their routes on time, that is very rewarding to me.”