A superior accomplishment
Three UF Health staff members receive universitywide honors
By Michelle Champalanne
Photo by Angela Gould
Donna C. Rowland
As an information specialist at UF Health Springhill, Donna C. Rowland does it all. Rowland, who’s been in her position at the department of psychiatry for four years, works on a little bit of everything for the 50-some people in the building. She creates course material for continuing medical education courses, points out the coffee cups for employees and fixes parking spot issues. If there’s a problem, Rowland solves it. This was her first award and the recognition for her hard work was very surprising, but rewarding, she said. “If I can make somebody’s day a little bit better, then that’s what I’m supposed to do,” she said. Rowland, representing the College of Medicine, received the universitywide Superior Accomplishment Award for Administrative/Supervisory.
Katye D. Avery
For Katye D. Avery, overseeing more than 70 faculty members’ schedules requires a strong attention to detail. Avery, the faculty scheduling manager for the department of anesthesiology, has generated each general and subspecialty anesthesiologist’s schedule for the past 15 years. She has to ensure that anesthesiologists are on hand to cover all needs at UF Health Shands Hospital all day, every day. Although this is her first recognition award, Avery, who has worked at UF for 25 years, has been nominated several times before. This year’s win was a big surprise for her. “It was a very overwhelming and humbling experience,” she said. “I was very appreciative for the recognition.” Avery was given a UF Superior Accomplishment Award for Clerical/Office Support.
Danielle M. Jonas
A typical day for Danielle M. Jonas, a certified veterinary technician for the College of Veterinary Medicine, involves handling administrative duties, providing veterinary assistance for the doctors and calming animal patients — all to help things run smoothly at the UF Small Animal Hospital. Jonas joined UF in 2009 as an ICU technician and moved up to her current position as veterinary care manager. Veterinary technicians are similar to nurse practitioners in terms of the work that they do, but instead work with animals rather than humans, she said. She felt both shocked and honored when she learned her co-workers had nominated her. “To have somebody point out that they actually appreciate the work that I put into this hospital is truly unexpected and humbling,” she said. Jonas received the Jeffery A. Gabor Agency Employee Recognition Award in the Administrative/Supervisory category.