Stuart E. Baskin, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology
Nominated by Vivian Greenfogel, Service Excellence
Dr. Baskin is the consummate professional. Highly skilled as a physician, he takes pride in consistently providing an outstanding level of patient care. He is also compassionate, kind and gifted with a great sense of humor. This rare combination of qualities helps to instill confidence in our patients while easing their fears. Medical students too, benefit from his extensive experience and thoughtful guidance. Perhaps one of our patients put it best. “Being sick is very scary and sometimes hospitals seem so cold. In the midst of it all, Dr. Baskin is a warm light.”

Jacques Coles, Ambulatory Access
Nominated by R. Doreen Monks, APN, Marketing and Media Relations, Community Outreach
Jacques, a patient service rep, always makes the time to assist - no matter how busy he is. This is especially noted by Doreen Monks, APN. She reports, “Each time I have a patient to refer, whether it is to the hospital, to UMD Care or to a specialized service, all I have to do is call Jacques. Despite his heavy workload, he is always willing to help. He makes appointments, calls the patients, confirms the dates and generally makes it all happen. He also treats the patients with kindness and a smile in his voice. I could not possibly refer all the patients that I do without his help and guidance.”

Carol Dokes, Department of Volunteer Services
Nominated by Kitty Donohue, Service Excellence
Carol is not only a dedicated volunteer, but she was also a key player in this year's Black History Month festivities. Working with the BHM Committee, Carol created two unique themes to celebrate the month. The first, the Harlem Renaissance, showcased photos of renowned African American entertainers from the 1920's. Then, working with Food and Nutrition, she transformed our cafeteria into a “Café Paris Noire”, featuring live entertainment and authentic African American entrees.

Jamie Fronheiser, RN, E-Blue
Nominated by Sherine Varghese, Acting NM, E-Blue
Jamie is an enthusiastic, highly motivated and very creative staff nurse. She always has a warm smile and is quick to offer her assistance – regardless of what the project is. Recently, Jamie gave a patient a ‘professional' haircut. This spontaneous act of kindness uplifted the patient's spirit and gave him a new lease on life. This is just one example demonstrating how Jamie is always willing to go above and beyond to provide extraordinary patient care.

 Estelle Haley, Pediatric Emergency Department
Nominated by Uche Nwaro, Evening Administrator
“If you want something done, give it to a busy person.” This adage is especially true when it comes to Estelle. In the course of one very busy night, Estelle not only performed her regular duties as a ward clerk, but also emptied trash cans, wheeled patients to X-Ray, picked up medication from the pharmacy, made patient beds and took care of the linen duties. This energetic spirit and hard-working attitude is very typical of Estelle.

Tonya Bernett Heckstall and Denise Weatherington, UMD Care
Nominated by Aniq Sherrod, Ambulatory Care Services
Tonya and Denise are dependable, responsive and always helpful. Despite the high volume of activity in their department, Tonya and Denise always find the time to ensure that patients are properly responded to. Kind and positive, this dynamic duo works hard to improve the front line processes for all their customers, including patients, physicians, referring services and colleagues throughout UH.

Ismail Khatri, MD, Department of Neurology and Neurosciences, Cerebrovascular Program
Nominated by Dr. Adnan I. Qureshi, MD, Department of Neurology and Neurosciences, Cerebrovascular Program
Dr. Khatri is as committed to the development of UH's Cerebrovascular Program as he is devoted to the patients. According to the department's director, Dr. Adnan Qureshi, “Dr. Khatri represents one of the most qualified individuals in our Program. The patience and devotion he demonstrates is beyond compare. We have witnessed Dr. Khatri sitting bedside with the patients helping them with their meals and clothes. He takes time to talk to the families and answer their questions to the smallest detail. Dr. Khatri is instrumental in improving the quality of care and level of satisfaction for our patients. He is truly a role model for our medical students and hospital.

Abdul Mangual, NA, CTICU
Nominated by the staff of the CTICU
Abdul is a friendly, hard-working, employee who stops at nothing to assist his colleagues. He provides translation services to the patients, runs errands for the nurses and constantly makes rounds to see what needs to be done. Abdul is a “hands-on” worker and can often be seen bathing the patients, consoling and listening to them and doing everything possible to make them comfortable. His mere presence helps reduce the stress of the nurses because they know that with Abdul “on duty”, their work load will be lightened. This nomination of Abdul as a Five Star worker is the department's way of saying “Thanks.”

Shezell Mathis, Nursing Administration
Nominated by Toni Jones, formerly with Hospital Administration
Shezell is an enthusiastic, hard-working and selfless secretary. Recently, she volunteered to help a newly hired employee and guide her during those first few difficult weeks on the new job. The employee said of Shezell, “I don't know how I would have managed without Shezell. Even with her heavy workload and tight deadlines, she always found the time and energy to teach me. Shezell's willingness to ‘take me under her wing' made me feel more comfortable and adequately prepared me for the job”.

Bernice McKinney, Department of Volunteer Services
Nominated by Kitty Donohue, Service Excellence
Bernice is a highly dependable, astute and quick-thinking member of the department. Recently she “filled in” for an extended period of time while her manager was on sick leave. During that period, Bernice handled her own job and the responsibilities of the manager as well. She responded to the everyday issues of the volunteers, communicated with community agencies, handed all incoming applicants, opened and closed the Volunteer Office, calculated the volunteer's hours, and distributed lunch cards. Beyond her outstanding work ethic, Bernice is also a kind and sensitive woman. To the young volunteer, she demonstrates a motherly interest, with her patience and thoughtful guidance. To the more seasoned volunteer, she is a listener, a friend and a teacher. Bernice is an asset to University Hospital and we are blessed to have her.

Minerva Rodriguez, Hospital Administration
Nominated by Toni Jones, formerly with Hospital Administration
Dedicated. Efficient. Patient. That's Minerva. Minerva is always ready to help others. Whatever the problem is, Minerva will help you “get to the bottom” of it and always with a few light-hearted chuckles. Recently Minerva helped a new employee “learn the ropes” in the department. She trained her on the computer, taught her new programs and processes and in general, helped her become accustomed to her new job. The new employee reported, “Minerva never makes you feel like you are bothering her, no matter how many times you ask her questions. Despite her heavy workload, she is always willing to drop whatever she is doing to help you out. She is a very selfless person and a lot of fun too!”

William Rooks, Environmental Services
Nominated by Barbara A. Whitmore, CNA, J. Meja, RN and the H-Blue nursing staff
William is the epitome of a Five Star winner. Whenever the staff calls on him, he responds right away and gets the job done. William has a pleasant smile, a terrific work attitude and a happy, gentle spirit. He is a hard-working gentleman with a proven track record. The staff is very proud of William!

Yvette Stokes, NA, E-Blue
Nominated by Sherine Varghese, Acting NM, E-Blue
Ask Yvette the definition of a “Code Red” and she can tell you from first-hand experience! Recently, at the beginning of her shift, she entered a patient's room only to see a pile of linen on fire. Immediately, she extinguished the fire with the linen she had in her hands and then quickly called a “Code Red.” Yvette's familiarity with the fire rules, her quick-thinking and her brave spirit helped to prevent what could have been a real disaster. The staff is truly proud of Yvette and so are we!

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