Third annual Learning Catalyst Awards announced

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On April 12, 2016, the MLearning team of Medical School Information Services (MSIS), and the UMHS Educator Advisory Committee were proud to present the Learning Catalyst Awards to those that excel in staff education or teaching, and foster learning for UMHS faculty and staff. Several participants were honored for their passion, excellence, creativity, and innovation in support of staff member education, including knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

There are several categories that celebrate individuals, including staff members and managers, as well as teams.

The UMHS Excellence Award in Fostering Staff Learning recognizes a manager or supervisor who demonstrates passion in supporting learning and continuously fosters excellence and innovation in staff and/or faculty personal and professional development.

This year’s winner is Mary Jo Maksym, R.N., of University Hospital-5B, General Medicine/GI/Liver Nursing. Among the many reasons she was honored include encouraging and supporting staff in their career growth; identifying staff members who have the skills, demeanor, and care, and guiding them into positions of leadership; and helping staff move to other units if that move would benefit the person, regardless of the impact on her own work.

The UMHS Excellence in Learning Award for Outstanding Staff Educator – Team Award recognizes multiple individual educators who have worked together to create great educational opportunities for faculty, staff, and patients.

The award goes to the Department of Urology, Oncology Team Three: Lead—Juliette Derossett, R.N., and team members Bridget Cole, R.N., Opal Lesse, R.N., Robert McCormick, R.N., and Marie Richards, R.N.

This group is recognized as outstanding in their active support of education and training for improving patient education and having a positive impact on patient outcomes; creating standard educational and communication processes across inpatient and ambulatory settings that ensure patients receive excellent care; and creating a single voice for the patient across inpatient and ambulatory settings.

The UMHS Excellence in Learning Award for Outstanding Staff Educator is given to an individual who actively engages in staff and faculty education and training. The award recognizes excellence, innovation, and passion in helping faculty and staff learn. This year there was a three-way tie!

Karen Facer, R.N., E.N.C., of Diagnostic Radiology received recognition for her work in designing and conducting educational sessions for nursing staff (both RN & LPN); developing educational and professional development opportunities for staff, and working cooperatively and collaboratively with other departments in educational endeavors.

Liz King, R.N., from University Hospital-8D, Progressive Care Unit, earned recognition for her openness to staff who need support, learning, and guidance; searching for ways to improve the knowledge base of the coworker or patient she is teaching; and recognizing individual and team weaknesses, and organizing support for learning and growth around those weaknesses.

Karla Metzger, Department of Psychiatry, was commended for establishing a learning community across multiple disciplines and skills to discuss cases and review literature; developing a process to build in reflection and discussion, and share experiences with colleagues; and recognizing that evidence-based programs must be tailored to the specific environment in which it is being implemented.

Learn more about previous award winners.

Watch for the Fourth Annual Learning Catalyst Awards call for nominations coming January 2017!

This article was written by Stephanie Dascola, communications specialist, Medical School Information Services, and, except where otherwise noted, is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Contact us: msishelp@umich.edu.