Clinical Center recognizes staff clinician, physician's assistant and two administrators of the year
In October, Dr. Stephanie Goff, with the National Cancer Institute, was named Staff Clinician of the Year, Theresa Jerussi, with the Clinical Center, was named Physician Assistant of the Year and Patricia Coffey and Bernard Harper, both also with the Clinical Center, were co-named for Administrators of the Year in the Clinical Center Recognition Program.
Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health, announced the awardees during the Clinical Center Town Hall (NIH staff only) on Oct. 6.
"Nominations were made at the height of pandemic restrictions, yet despite how busy nominators were, they went to great lengths to nominate these individuals who were in turn busy making their own invaluable contributions to the pandemic response," said Collins during the town hall.
"Congratulations to the four awardees. My thanks to you and your dedication and to all those whose hard work, compassion and excellence make the NIH Clinical Center what patients refer to it as the House of Hope," Collins added.
This is the third year for the prominent awards. Usually the Clinical Center Clinical Recognition Committee selects only one Administrator of the Year but there was a tie this year. Learn more about the recognition program (NIH Staff Only).
Staff Clinician of the Year
Dr. Stephanie Goff, Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute
Excerpt from nomination submission:
"Dr. Goff is a vital member of the NCI's Surgery Branch, and her exceptional organizational skills and clinical acumen facilitate the smooth operation of a scientifically innovative and technically complex approach to the protocol-driven care of patients. … Dr. Goff plays a key role as the operational nexus of the clinic, the laboratory, and production facilities. She serves as the clinical link at critical decision points: monitoring the status of the patients in the pipeline, providing input to ensure optimal management of scientific resources, and forecasting reasonable timelines to enable patients, their families, and their home oncologists to make ongoing care decisions. … It is impossible to overemphasize Dr. Goff's commitment to clinical excellence. … She is the recipient of a CCR Director's Award and an NCI Director's Award for Clinical Science. She is a trusted voice in immuno-oncology, serving as subject expert on committees for ASCO, SITC, and the DOD Breast Cancer Research Program."
Physician Assistant of the Year
Theresa Jerussi, PA, Administrative Head, Blood and Immune Deficiency–Cellular Therapy Program (BID-CTP), NIH Clinical Center
Excerpt from nomination submission:
"Outstanding patient care has been the hallmark of Ms. Jerussi's career at the NIH, and this remains her major focus in the BID-CTP program. … No contribution of Ms. Jerussi is more valuable than what she has done in melding four different NIH institutes and five different branches into a single clinical entity in BID-CTP. This extensive cross-institute clinical program is unprecedented in the Clinical Center. Merging these entities, all of which have distinct histories and traditions that border on tribalism, into a single program has been a testimony to the collaboration that Ms. Jerussi has fostered. … Ms. Theresa Jerussi represents the best of what the NIH Clinical Center has to offer. She is smart, motivated, compassionate, and extremely well-organized. Her presence makes us all better in our respective roles."
Co-Administrator of the Year
Patricia Coffey, Chief, Health Information Management Department, NIH Clinical Center
Excerpt from nomination submission:
"Patricia Coffey is very integral to many different processes, systems and improvements that improve the experience for patients and for employees. … She manages and mentors many of her staff and goes the extra mile with each of them. In addition, working to improve Health Information Management (HIM) and the reputation of HIM is very important to Patricia Coffey and this is shown through all she does."
Co-Administrator of the Year
Bernard Harper, Chief, Materials Management and Environmental Services Department (MMESD), NIH Clinical Center
Excerpt from nomination submission:
"With [personal protective equipment (PPE)] and Cleaning products shortages posing a tremendous challenge to the Clinical Center, Bernard Harper, Chief, MMESD worked tirelessly to manage the supply chain of PPE, Masks, and cleaning products at sufficient levels throughout the pandemic. … This award is for Bernard Harper's exemplary efforts and dedication to Clinical Center in general, but especially during the COVID Pandemic and securing sufficient supplies for the Clinical Center to be able to always continue operations in a safe manner for the safety of staff and patients. … He has been seen as an inspiration to many and has kept his team motivated - they have been at the front lines every day since this has started, and Bernard has been there right there with them - he leads by example."
- Cindy Fisher