Department of Pediatrics honors
It takes a wide variety of talent to keep this Department running smoothly. The Department of Pediatrics is fortunate to have hard-working support staff, some of whom have received recent recognitions for their efforts.
Senior Project Manager Joshua Dorris received Staff Recognition Spotlight Award from University Classified Staff Council at the Council’s July Workshop. “Joshua earns respect from his co-workers through his consistent demonstration of integrity, competence, and respect for others,” a nominator wrote. “He leads by example, always upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in his interactions with colleagues and stakeholders. His approachable demeanor and willingness to listen make him a trusted confidant and advisor, fostering an environment where open communication and collaboration thrive.”
See who else was honored here.
Medical Assistant Sanjuana Rodriguez was named Department of Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic Employee of the Month for June 2024. Sanjuana works in the High-Risk Pediatric Clinic in the Texas Medical Center. “She is one of the most devoted MAs. She helps patients achieve a great understanding in their visit. She strives to give the best customer service, always putting the patient first on their every need,” one of her co-workers said. “She delivers top-notch patient care. She goes above and beyond for the patients and me. She anticipates what the providers need before having to be told. She is simply the BEST,” another colleague stated.
Shannon Erhardt (above, left) and Julianna Quinn are recipients of the G&E Student Service Award. Julianna and Shannon are graduate students in the lab of Jun Wang, PhD, and part of the Genetics and Epigenetics (G&E) Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS). This award recognizes students for their outstanding service to the G&E community through leadership on program committees, exceptional service in the planning of research, career development, networking program activities, and in contributing to program communications and innovative ideas that strengthen the program community and enrich their training environment for all students.
Additionally, Shannon was awarded the Schissler Foundation Fellowship for 2024-2025. The Schissler Foundation, established in 1993, sponsors these fellowships to improve human health and graduate education. These one-year fellowships are awarded to exceptional GSBS students carrying out research on the genetics of common human diseases, including (but not limited to) cancer, with a preference for research projects that have translational application to human health. Shannon’s project is titled Investigating the role of Yap/Taz in neural crest-derived cardiac development.