Excellence in action: Strauss Award winners lead, serve, and inspire
Congratulations to the latest recipients of the Diana and Richard C. Strauss Service Excellence Awards!
The winners for the first quarter of 2026 were celebrated May 22 during a virtual event 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.
Madeline “Maddi” Corcoran, M.S., CGC
Genetic Counselor
Ob/Gyn and Maternal-Fetal Medicine
“Maddi is an incredible teammate. She makes it known she is always available to assist in talking through complex or emotional cases and has a listening ear when you need it most. Always striving for excellence and innovation, she continues to brainstorm ways to make our small team more efficient as well as to make the experience as seamless as possible for the patient.”
UTSW career: The newest team member in this Strauss Awards class, Mrs. Corcoran recently celebrated her first anniversary at UT Southwestern.
In her role: When expectant parents have concerns about prenatal genetic test results, Mrs. Corcoran helps them interpret the findings and provide the most current and comprehensive information about their options.
What she loves most about her job: “Being a genetic counselor means you’re always learning,” Mrs. Corcoran said. “I never know what new information I will learn from my patients and the cases I see. I have an amazing team that continually supports me and makes every day better.”
Yearning for learning: Passionate about continued learning, Mrs. Corcoran is always finding educational opportunities for herself and others, including building and directing a lifelong learning course for the UTSW Genetic Counseling Program. She is currently teaching a second-year genetic counseling course called Lifelong Learning in Genetics, “Putting it All Together,” increasing her own professional development skills in teaching while educating other genetic counseling students.
Goal oriented: Mrs. Corcoran said working at UT Southwestern has afforded her incredible opportunities to check accomplishments off her career to-do list already – and she’s excited to keep the momentum going. “I really wanted to teach and work at an academic institution when I left school,” she noted. “Now I am honing in on expanding my patient care abilities within clinic, developing and learning how to teach others, and spearheading a quality improvement project within CUH for our patients experiencing pregnancy loss and infant death.”
Off the clock: Mrs. Corcoran has always had a special love for animals. Throughout her life, she has shared her home with 23 pets, specifically 15 cats, five dogs, two rabbits, and a hamster.
Guadalupe “Lupe” Francisco
Clinical Staff Assistant III
Multi-Specialty Clinic
“Lupe’s sound judgment, reliability, and willingness to take ownership have earned the confidence and trust of physicians, staff, and leadership alike. She actively shares knowledge with her team, contributes to collective problem-solving, and models professionalism and accountability.”
UTSW career: Ms. Francisco has worked at UT Southwestern for about 3 1/2 years and, in that time, she has become a favorite of patients looking for a friendly face when they walk in the door. Patients often ask for her by name after talking to her on the phone to arrange their appointment, saying, “I want to meet Lupe because she helps me when I’m not feeling well.”
In her role: In addition to accommodating patients’ needs over the phone, Ms. Francisco checks them in and out of the clinic, taking payments and working out any other details that may arise to ensure a smooth visit.
What she loves most about her job: “There is no one specific thing,” Ms. Francisco said. “I like everything about my job – the great people I work with – and I love the patients who come here. It’s a fun place to be. When we work together, anything is possible.”
Calendar creativity: When a relocation and the addition of two new providers caused her clinic to undertake a massive overhaul of its schedule, Ms. Francisco took the lead, getting patients rescheduled as quickly and efficiently as possible.
No job too big or small: Ms. Francisco always puts patients first. If Guest and Patient Services is backed up, she’ll jump in and transport a patient to where they need to go so they don’t have to wait. She said people tend to appreciate those efforts, and their gratitude is its own reward.
Off the clock: “My hobby is being a mom. I have four kids ranging from 8 months to 11 years old: two boys and two girls. It’s a crazy household. But it’s very rewarding! They all like different things, but I love to spend time with them, whether it’s watching a movie, going to the water park, or climbing a tree.”
Tobi Fuller, Ph.D., M.S.N., M.S., RN, PMP, CPXP
Program Manager for Education
Quality and Operational Excellence
“Through her commitment, she has motivated countless individuals, breaking cycles of limitation and creating a legacy of empowerment. Her impact is evident, not only in the professional accomplishments of her students, but also in the enduring trust, gratitude, and inspiration she continues to foster.”
UTSW career: Dr. Fuller will celebrate a decade at UT Southwestern this month, originally joining as a clinical educator after 15 years of teaching at Townview Health Magnet High School in Dallas.
In her role: Her current position, which is the fourth she has held in her time here, includes creating, developing, designing, and reviewing educational offerings across the Health System to advance employee knowledge and enhance the patient experience.
What she loves most about her job: “My favorite part is getting to connect with so many people across the University,” Dr. Fuller said. “People can easily become siloed within their own roles, but my position affords me the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues outside my department and contribute to initiatives that impact the entire Health System. Being able to learn from and serve so many people is both a privilege and an opportunity I do not take for granted.”
Twin passions: “I like to say that I am, first and foremost, a nurse by profession but an educator by choice,” Dr. Fuller said. “After all those years of teaching, I realized I wanted to have a broader impact. At UT Southwestern, I found an environment that values both excellence in patient care and a commitment to education that allows me to combine my passions for nursing and education every day.”
Looking after others: Working with subject matter experts to develop a curriculum, ironing out the details to ensure continuing education credits are earned, and conducting pre- and post-evaluations are all part of Dr. Fuller’s process to keep staff moving forward, never becoming stagnant with their skills or in their roles.
Off the clock: Outside of work, Dr. Fuller enjoys spending time at her Cricut crafting and taking spontaneous road trips with her husband to explore new places.
Seena Kuruvila, M.S.N., RN, CMSRN
Registered Nurse
7 Green, William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital
“She lifts the morale of those around her, creates a supportive environment, and leads by example through her daily actions. She is an invaluable part of our unit, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.”
UTSW career: With a quarter century of nursing experience, Mrs. Kuruvila spent the last five years with UT Southwestern after immigrating to the United States from India.
In her role: Mrs. Kuruvila is currently an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Project Fellow at UT Southwestern. She is passionate about continuous learning and implementing evidence-based practices that improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of care.
What she loves most about her job: “I get a lot of satisfaction from giving direct care to patients,” said Mrs. Kuruvila. “Sometimes they have a lot to say. Sometimes they have a lot of pressure and concerns. I like to be there to talk with them or, if it’s what they need, I just listen to them.”
You can count on me: Mrs. Kuruvila recognizes that patient care is a team effort. Whenever a call light blinks on or a patient asks for assistance – whether they’re assigned to her or not – she is quick to jump in to help her colleagues and the people they serve.
A PACT magnet: In her five years at UT Southwestern, Mrs. Kuruvila has amassed an incredible 118 PACT cards from patients and colleagues who are grateful for her contributions. She’s earned a Gold PACT pin (at least 16 cards received in a year) in each of the years she’s worked here.
Off the clock: When at home, Mrs. Kuruvila enjoys spending time with her husband and children, playing badminton or chess, or exercising at the gym with her family. She also enjoys listening to devotional music.
Anthony “Tony” Lanther, B.S.N., RN
Registered Nurse
Endoscopy Lab
“Tony is an exceptionally dedicated and compassionate nurse whose quiet demeanor belies the profound impact he has on both patients and colleagues. He approaches every task with diligence, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to excellence. Highly intelligent and clinically skilled, Tony applies critical thinking and sound judgment, ensuring the highest standards of care.”
UTSW career: Mr. Lanther has worked at UT Southwestern for 15 years altogether – including an earlier seven-year tenure at Zale Lipshy Pavilion before it became part of the UTSW system.
In his role: His day-to-day tasks include helping with procedures as a circulating nurse, charting cases as they unfold, handling specimens, assisting with anesthesia, and serving as an extra set of hands for the physician and the endoscopist.
What he loves most about his job: “For me, endoscopy has always been about camaraderie,” Mr. Lanther remarked. “It really makes the day go by when you work with a good team and it doesn’t feel like work at all. You feel like you’re making a difference working here. But, even if you’re washing dishes, and someone says, ‘Let me dry,’ the job just becomes better.”
Meetings of the minds: Committed to pitching in, Mr. Lanther is involved with several clinic committees that highlight his dedication to organizational improvement. He offers thoughtful input and supports initiatives that enhance care delivery and team performance.
In the right place: Mr. Lanther said he’s considered moving into management or trying to evolve his career in other ways through the years. But, in the end, he loves being part of his team, working in a role where he makes a difference for patients every day. He feels content to finish out his career doing what he’s doing, he said, sharing his knowledge and experience with colleagues following behind him.
Off the clock: “I won’t say I am an artist, but I do like to paint,” Mr. Lanther said. “I don’t always have time to do it, but it’s a part of me. I like figurative painting. I’ve done a lot of portraiture … just as long as there are figures in it, I’m happy. My parents put me in an oil painting class when I was a kid – probably about 10 years old – and I have done it ever since.”
Geoffrey Ramos, B.S.N., RN
Registered Nurse
Emergency Department
“Geoffrey is a role model in our Emergency Department. Patients love his bedside care and have written him several PACT cards.”
UTSW career: Mr. Ramos has been with UT Southwestern for a little longer than a decade, joining after relocating to Dallas from Florida.
In his role: He serves as a pod lead in the Emergency Department (ED), a job that he describes as similar to a charge nurse. His role includes triaging, treating and reassuring patients, and assisting his team members with anything they need.
What he loves most about his job: “It can be very exhausting working a shift in the Emergency Department,” Mr. Ramos said. “But, at the end of the day, you feel a great deal of satisfaction … some joy that you were able to help someone, no matter what challenges came up during the day.”
Safety first: Mr. Ramos leads the Opioid Safety Committee as Chair and serves as an opioid pain safety champion. He is also a member of the ED Code Blue Committee, the Informatics and Recognition committees, and the Unit-Based Council.
High score: When he sees an area for improvement, Mr. Ramos takes on the task without hesitation. He has worked to improve pain reassessment scores in the ED, an endeavor that has been so successful he has been asked to speak about it at the Emergency Nursing conference this September.
Off the clock: “I like to play sports,” Mr. Ramos noted. “I play tennis with my son, and I like to play basketball. I also used to like to do some cycling when I had more time, but that’s been put away for a while. I like to do anything spontaneous if my kids are involved.”