Ob/Gyn Department Celebrates 3rd Annual Staff Appreciation Day

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center held their third annual Staff Appreciation Day on Thursday, June 13. While the Ob/Gyn faculty and trainees attended the Sloane Academic Assembly, more than 300 staff members from 12 practice sites attended the celebration.

The event was hosted at the newly renovated Alumni Auditorium in the William Black building. Staff received a departmental update, sharing some of the successes from the past year, including the expansion in Westchester to three new practice locations and the growth of research in the department.

“This year as a department we provided care during 180,000 patient visits; and performed 5,800 surgeries, 6,400 deliveries, and more than 1,000 REI retrievals,” said Mike McNamara, Chief Financial Officer and Department Administrator for the Department of Ob/Gyn. “That would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of each and every one of our staff members. Our administrative, clinical, and research staff are essential to our department’s operations, and they are what keeps us moving forward to advance women’s healthcare.”

The highlight of the event was the second annual presentation of Ob/Gyn Staff Recognition Awards. Awards were given to staff members who were nominated by their peers, supervisors, and faculty. The 98 total nominations for 46 staff members were reviewed by a 10-member committee, with Debra Keller, Director of Human Resources, Faculty Affairs and Development for the Department of Ob/Gyn serving as the moderator. The winners in each of the six categories (Research, Front End, Clinical, Administrative, and Management/Supervisory) were celebrated in video testimonials from their colleagues.

Congratulations to the winners of the second annual Department of Ob/Gyn Staff Appreciation Day awards:

  • Research Support Award: Catia Neves
  • Front End Support Award: Lakisha Drayton
  • Clinical Support Award: Shanikqua Crawford
  • Administrative Support Award: Richard Head
  • Administrative Supervisory Award: Gilberto Hernandez
  • Clinical Supervisory Award: Ivette Miranda

Following the awards presentation and department update, staff reconvened in Faculty Club in Presbyterian Hospital for a leisurely brunch. Staff members were given gifts of beach towels and backpacks as tokens of appreciation from the department.

The Department of Ob/Gyn has more than 250 staff members who support the life-saving and life-improving patient care provided by the department’s faculty. Staff members also strengthen the department’s education and research goals, providing essential administrative support necessary to the functioning of the department.