Salute to Excellence is the annual School of Medicine ceremony and reception that recognizes outstanding staff and honors their crucial role in the success of the School's mission. This year, Tier Two Performance and Great People award winners were celebrated along with the 2009 recipients of the prestigious Holly Smith Award for Exceptional Service to the School of Medicine (see lists below).

Tier Two Staff Performance Awards

Each year the School of Medicine recognizes outstanding staff performances through the Staff Achievement and Recognition (STAR) Program. Sixteen employees were selected for this elite group from among nearly 5,000. The selection process begins with nomination by the individual's supervisor, and final selections are made through a school-wide review process. more >>

Great People Awards

The School of Medicine initiated the Great People Awards in 2003 to recognize outstanding employees. Staff and Academic employees are nominated by supervisors or peers for teamwork, customer service, individual contributions to a cooperative and communicative workplace, and inspiring others to excel. Four employees are selected by a committee and honored each quarter from among the many highly valued nominees. more >>

10th Annual Holly Smith Awards for Exceptional Service to the School of Medicine

This award was established in 2000 to recognize exceptional career service that has resulted in broad and long-lasting benefit to the School of Medicine. more >>

The award is named for Lloyd H. (Holly) Smith, Jr., whose 35-year career as chair of medicine and associate dean exemplified such an outstanding career effort.

Nominations for this award are announced prior to and celebrated at Salute to Excellence. This year's award winners were:

Marge O'Halloran, Director of Administration, Anesthesia and Perioperative Care (staff award)

George Rutherford, Professor and Director of the Institute for Global Health (faculty award)