2009 CVM Awards for Excellence
Barbara Hegarty selected as University-level winner
On Tuesday, June 9th, the university recognized the recipients of the annual Awards for Excellence. Chancellor Woodward presented awards to forty-six people who were recognized for excellence in various aspects of their jobs with the university and contributions to their communities. Three members of our college were recognized: Barbara Hegarty, Damian Launer and Kelly VanDerlaske. Congratulations to these wonderful representatives of our college. Five people were selected as university level winners. We are proud to report that Barbara Hegarty was selected as one of these five winners. In addition to the $250 award and 8 hours of leave all 46 unit level winners received, Barbara will receive an additional $250 award and 8 hours of leave. Barbara's nomination will also be forwarded to the NC Office of State Personnel for consideration in the State Employees Awards for Excellence program. Congratulations Barbara!
CVM names Awards of Excellence winners
The Awards for Excellence program recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of permanent NC State employees at both the unit and University levels who do not hold faculty rank. Annually, the 18 University units/colleges collectively select 48 employees to recognize as award recipients for the respective units. Campus units submit their unit award recipients to the University Award for Excellence selection committee to determine the 5 University-level winners (4 SPA and 1 EPA). Congratulations to this year’s CVM selectees: Barbara Hegarty, Damian Launer and Kelly Vanderlaske!
Barbara Hegarty (EPA)
Barbara Hegarty manages the NCSU Biocontainment Facility in the Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research. For two decades she has also managed the Vector-Borne Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory and has been a collaborating scientist in the Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory. She has conducted research on vector-transmitted pathogens that induce disease in animals and humans, and bacteria from pathogenic organisms which can readily kill humans, particularly when grown in high concentrations in a lab.
In 2005, the state-of-the-art, the shared-use Biocontainment Facility was organized and certified under Barbara’s management. As the lead person of this and other labs, she is responsible for maintenance and growth of highly infectious agents. Her research resulted in antiviral therapy for patients of unknown illnesses with severe medical complications. She has also facilitated research collaborations with veterinarians and physicians throughout the world.
Most importantly, Barbara does her utmost to maintain high morale, cooperation and communication among the members of the labs she manages. As one faculty member remarked, “Barbara Hegarty has been the strength, the will, the determination and the source of words of support when those frequent challenges in the world of infectious disease research have arisen. She also has been a constant source of common sense and reason, when both seemed to be lacking.”
Damian Launer (SPA)
A Clinical Technician in Ophthalmology, Damian Launer has become an integral part of the teaching hospital. Damian was hired as a licensed tech in general practice who quickly and deliberately expanded his knowledge base to include ophthalmology which now matches or exceeded that of many graduate vets. This expertise is combined with an innate patient and caring nature which enables him to communicate effectively with veterinarians, students and owners.
Damian’s primary goal is dedicated patient care, client communication and appreciation for pet-owner bonds and ensures that students understand the importance of these fundamentals. His unique hands-on approach during student rotations allows him to both educates students and monitors patients consistently. He performs his forefront duties with a genuine and refreshing ability to lift morale and establishes interpersonal relationships which truly enhance the cohesiveness of the ophthalmology group.
Damian’s positive impact cannot be overstated. He personifies the Award for Excellence as “the desire to learn his craft to educate others; dedication to the service by investment in students, patients, and owners; and incredible interpersonal skills.
Kelly Vanderlaske (SPA)
The small animal supervisor of Hospital’s intermediate care and general hospital, Kelly Vanderlaske has fast become the favorite of faculty, house officers and students because of her passion for patients, excellent technical skills and an ability to interact effectively within the hospital. Kelly views her ultimate responsibility as service provider, irregardless of the client. One such example is providing a collage of photos of staff treating a client and presenting it to the owners when the client is discharged.
Kelly ‘can-do’ attitude is exemplified in a proposal she developed to establish an intermediate care unit for patients who do not need ICU care, but who require moderate monitoring. Since this proposal was implemented, the intermediate unit has doubled in size. She also worked with the senior clinician to renovate space to accommodate the newly estaablished bone marrow transplant service.
Kelly is an exemplary supervisor who has never forgotten her roots and leads by example. She communicates clear expectations, provides training and tools to succeed and holds her staff accountable in an equitable fashion. Her nominator considers it a gift to have had the opportunity to watch her grow during her years of service at the hospital. Kelly’s commitment to our patients is the gift she provides VTH.
All photos on this page taken by College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Communications.