Service excellence shines in these Strauss Award winners
Congratulations to the latest recipients of the Diana and Richard C. Strauss Service Excellence Awards.
Each quarter, six employees within the UT Southwestern Health System are honored for demonstrating excellence and professionalism in the workplace.
The winners for the third quarter of 2024 were celebrated on Nov. 22 during a virtual event hosted by Jonathan Efron, M.D., Executive Vice President for Health System Affairs.
Three things define Strauss Award winners:
- They excel at their jobs.
- They serve as role models for the next generation of employees.
- They share a spirit of volunteerism that strengthens our community.
Watch: Dr. Efron honors winners during the virtual event.
Charles Almin Alba, M.A.N., B.S.N., RN
Perianesthesia Unit-Based Educator
Clinical Education and Professional Development
“His dedication strengthens the overall effectiveness and safety of patient care across multiple areas of the hospital. His teamwork skills are evident in how he supports employees and fosters an environment of learning.”
UTSW career: Charles Alba has been a nurse for 20 years, the last three working at UT Southwestern as a unit-based educator in Perianesthesia.
In his role: Mr. Alba collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to identify areas for improvement and innovation, shaping the educational programs he delivers. He ensures nursing residents, fellows, and staff are prepared to deliver the highest quality care in support of the Perianesthesia Onboarding and Residency Program and organizes hands-on skills workshops, during which learners acquire necessary skills and gain the confidence to apply them effectively in clinical settings.
Above and beyond: He also is a tireless advocate for patients and for UT Southwestern as a whole. He works to promote the importance of patient confidentiality, uses his social media presence to extol UTSW’s values, and actively works to draw talented nurses to the organization.
His favorite part of the job: “I take immense pride in witnessing the professional development of my staff as they diligently strive to become exemplary health care providers, particularly during their completion of onboarding, residency, and fellowship programs,” Mr. Alba said. “It is profoundly fulfilling to recognize the significant impact that my role as their educator has on their growth and success. By actively supporting their journeys, I not only enhance their skills and confidence but also contribute to the overall quality of care we provide for our patients.”
Off the clock: A self-described “gym rat,” Mr. Alba strengthens his body and clears his mind by rising at 4:30 a.m. to get a workout in before he reports to work at 8 a.m. In addition to the personal health benefits from his regimen, he feels it’s important as a health care professional to serve as a role model for patients. He’s also a fan of fashion and finds that being in shape helps him to look his best in the outfits he chooses.
Mikel Besant
Logistics Coordinator
Courier Services
“Mikel is definitely a team player and supports in any area necessary to ensure operations are successful and patient care is uncompromised and of quality caliber.”
UTSW career: Originally hired as a senior driver five years ago, Mr. Besant distinguished himself within the organization during the pandemic, contributing to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations. After the vaccine rollout was completed, in recognition of his exceptional efforts, he was promoted to coordinator.
In his role: Spending his days behind a desk these days more often than behind the wheel, Mr. Besant uses his phone and computer to orchestrate the transportation of test samples, blood products, medications, and other necessities across the metroplex. He keeps track of inventory and ensures the courier fleet keeps rolling by scheduling and tracking vehicle maintenance, repairs, and refueling. If an urgent delivery is needed, he’s always ready to personally make a run.
Highly decorated for his service: Among his accolades, Mr. Besant earned the Spirit of Caring Award in 2021 and the Support Services Excellence Award in 2023. He is also the recipient of a Gold PACT pin, which he earned upon collecting 16 PACT cards for providing excellent service to UT Southwestern, its patients, and their families.
His favorite part of the job: “I feel like my greatest day at work is almost every day,” Mr. Besant said. “I love coming to work and putting a smile on the face of everyone I encounter via phone call, in person, or by email.”
Off the clock: Mr. Besant loves to spend time with his family. He and his father enjoy taking trips to see the country, most recently visiting Chicago in August. In the works are journeys to Los Angeles, New York City, and Pittsburgh.
Morgan Block, M.B.A., M.A., PMP, CSSBB, CPHQ
Senior Project Manager
Quality and Operational Excellence
“He engages stakeholders, communicates between individuals and task forces, and creates clear presentations to summarize current status and future goals. Our productivity is twice what it would be without him.”
UTSW career: In October, Mr. Block celebrated his eighth anniversary at UT Southwestern, arriving here from the Northeast when his wife relocated to Dallas for work.
In his role: A professional problem-solver, Mr. Block’s job description includes leading projects and helping the Health System reach its organizational goals. Some examples include helping streamline processes for the Emergency Department and being an ongoing contributor to the Sepsis Subcommittee.
Reporting for duty: Active in employee engagement efforts, Mr. Block was elected to be a member of the Employee Advisory Council in 2023-24, and this year was chosen to become the group’s co-Chair.
His most memorable day on the job: “On March 11, 2020, I received a meeting request for a ‘surge plan’ discussion. The World Health Organization had just declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and health systems nationwide were beginning to implement their responses. Although my role in the meeting was limited to note-taking, witnessing hospital leadership implement their surge plan firsthand is an experience I’ll never forget.”
Off the clock: Mr. Block is an avid runner who has competed in several marathons through the years. In April, he got to check a big one off his bucket list: completing the Boston Marathon. Getting up for a 4:45 a.m. run every day isn’t only about training for his next race. Mr. Block said putting in his morning miles gives him a feeling of happiness and peace.
Wendy Buchanan
Lead Quality Data Coordinator
Quality and Operational Excellence
“Wendy consistently excels in problem-solving, thinking critically and innovatively under pressure to keep the team focused and effective. She maintains a positive, professional attitude that inspires collaboration and resilience.”
UTSW career: Ms. Buchanan has worked at UT Southwestern for 11 years, following a colleague from another organization. She said the move was transformational for her career, opening doors to professional development.
In her role: She leads a team that enters data into registries, performs data analysis, and verifies that evidence-based practices are implemented. She is credited with making significant special efforts to improve the work of her group and is instrumental in streamlining processes to increase productivity and consistency.
Getting better all the time: Ms. Buchanan is committed to enhancing and expanding her skill set, always seeking new educational opportunities and certifications. She was one of a small group selected from more than 200 applicants to join the highly competitive UTSW Aspiring Leaders Program.
What she loves about working at UTSW: “Leadership really cares about the people who work here. They go above and beyond, really trying to hear what we have to say. We’ve heard about the initiatives they’re working on with psychological safety. They’re taking things like that seriously and are going to the next level in trying to truly understand staff and what their needs are. That is unique, compared to other hospitals.”
Off the clock: Ms. Buchanan spends her spare time tending to her three rescued cats and singing in her church choir. But she also enjoys reminiscing about her days playing offensive tackle and kicking field goals for the Dallas Diamonds of the Women’s Professional Football League in the early 2000s. During her time on the field, she collected three league championship rings!
Mazi Rahimi, M.S.N., B.S., RN, CEN
Registered Nurse
Emergency Department
“He comes to work always with a great, positive attitude and has excellent teamwork skills. Mazi is a great role model in the Department and is integral to the success of many projects that improve patient care, teamwork efficiency, smooth workflow, and safety practices.”
UTSW career: An employee here for eight years, Mr. Rahimi is a native of Iran who began his career as a natural resources engineer in the forestry field before becoming a nurse. He immigrated to Canada in 2002 and then to America a decade later, eventually joining UT Southwestern.
In his role: Mr. Rahimi works as a charge nurse in the Emergency Department (ED), coordinating staff assignments, ensuring things move seamlessly and people get the care they need in a timely fashion. He’s responsible for many workflow improvements, quality control projects, and professional nurse development, and has played a key role in the development of the POD/Charge RN Leadership class, which teaches nurses to be reliable and strategic leaders, educates staff about ED safety procedures, and creates quality and efficiency audits. Mr. Rahimi also regularly participates in Skills Day classes, providing instruction in peritoneal dialysis, LUCAS device use, and ultrasound-guided IV techniques. He’s also a Clinical Ladder adviser in the ED and a Charge Nurse Committee adviser.
Reaping awards: Besides earning two Gold PACT pins for collecting 32 individual PACT cards, Mr. Rahimi is also highly decorated in the ED’s annual Superlative Awards, earning the “Cool as a Cucumber Award” and “Knight in Shining Armor Award” due to his unflappable demeanor under pressure, was named ED Employee of the year in 2019, and earned Meritorious Service Awards in 2021 and 2024.
His best day on the job: “One of my best days at work was when we handled a high-acuity cardiac arrest. The patient was in critical condition and our team worked really well together to stabilize him. Several newer nurses were running the code. As a charge nurse, I made sure everyone was where they needed to be and had the support they required. The patient survived, and seeing how it all came together, especially with the newer nurses stepping up, reminded me what I love about my job: It’s about making a difference when it matters most.”
Off the clock: Working in the ED is all about trying to restore peace and calm to an emergency situation. But when he’s off the clock, Mr. Rahimi is all about bringing the noise. He loves to attend rock concerts and counts the Red Hot Chili Peppers, A Perfect Circle, Tool, and Iron Maiden among his favorite shows. He also finds working out is a great way to clear his mind after a long shift and enjoys spending time with his family and their bulldog.
Stacy Sayre, M.S.S.W., LCSW, APHSW-C
Social Worker
Palliative Care
“I’ve never heard her say no to a request to help prioritize a patient’s comfort and support their end-of-life goals. She gives each patient and family the time, effort, and space they need. She knows when to take the extra step and when to take a step back.”
UTSW career: Ms. Sayre has been with UT Southwestern three years, joining us after a lengthy career at other institutions.
In her role: She meets with Palliative Care patients and their families, assesses their needs, addresses their concerns, and supports them in their journey through a serious or life-threatening illness. One example of the extra effort she makes to ensure her patients get the care they deserve is that she recently spent two full days making phone calls to find a hospice agency that could safely allow a person with dementia to realize their wish of being discharged home at the end of their life.
Navigating unchartered territory: It’s not unusual for families to have disagreements during the emotionally charged time when a loved one nears the end of their life. Ms. Sayre is an expert at guiding people through this process. In one example, Ms. Sayre helped a patient express his end-of-life care wishes to his family by reading aloud a letter he had written to his family. This act helped bring the patient peace and comfort.
What she loves about her job: “When someone is in the hospital, it can be a very stressful time, a very scary time. They’re very vulnerable, so it’s good to be able to be someone they can reach out to, and who sees them not as a diagnosis but as a person. I’ve always been attracted to the medical field. But mostly, I love helping people. That’s the important thing to me.”
Off the clock: When she’s away from work, Ms. Sayre said there are three things that she counts on to bring her happiness and peace: Her three dogs, Teddy, Piper, and Tartan; playing everything from classical music to modern tunes on her piano; and going for long walks.