VCU news

By Linda Williams
VCU Communications and Public Relations

Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health System honored more than 1,700 service award recipients with receptions on both campuses this week, marking the 37th year of the program.

VCU President Eugene P. Trani recognized the 55-, 50-, 40- and 45-year recipients at the beginning of each reception by calling them to the front for a picture with him. Other recipients were recognized by groups according to their years of service from five to 35 years. Tammy Berwanger, president of VCU Staff Senate, Dan Ream, president of faulty senate, and Linda Corey, vice president of faculty senate served as masters of ceremonies.

Recipients with five to 10 years of service received service-award pins. Recipients with 15 or more years of service can select either a service-award pin or a gift.

Recipients with 25 or more years of service could have selected this year’s limited-edition gift, a set of VCU black-and-gold goblets by Emilio Santini, internationally known artist and adjunct instructor in the VCU Crafts Department.

For a complete list of recipients, go to http://www.hr.vcu.edu/reward/2008_VCU-VCUHS_Service_Award_Recipients.html, or contact Debbie Fitzgerald at 828-1521.

55 Years

David W. Richardson

David Richardson, M.D., began employment as a senior assistant resident in the Department of Internal Medicine, caring for patients at St. Philip Hospital and Sheltering Arms.
 
Richardson played a key role in growing VCU’s cardiology program from a small division to the comprehensive heart center it is today. Throughout his career, he has been involved in every aspect of academic medicine. He served on committees as diverse as the MCV Group Practice Committee, the Cardiovascular Curriculum Committee and the MCV Faculty Senate. He has been equally involved in professional societies, community and national associations and NIH advisory groups.  Richardson has always been esteemed by his peers and students for his outstanding clinical skills and respect for patients.  He currently cares for patients in the cardiac clinic. He enjoys reading, swimming, and providing help for patients through the Internet.

50 Years

Randolph Davis

In 1957, Randolph Davis left the country life of Mecklenburg County for the big city. He found a job in Animal Resources at what is now Virginia Commonwealth University.  After 15 years, he took on the task of caring for the animals full time. When asked what keeps him working for the same department for 50 years, Davis said, “I enjoy the people."

He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

We are sad to announce that Mr. Davis passed away recently.  

45 Years

Della Turner

Della Turner’s first job here was part-time after high school in the Dietary Department.  She was interested in pursuing a nursing degree, but St. Phillip’s Hospital had closed its nursing school by that time. Instead, she attended business school and landed her first permanent, full-time job as a unit clerk in the high-risk maternity clinic in A.D. Williams.

The biggest change she has seen is the “large volume of growth” in employment and number and size of buildings. In her current job certifying insurance, she enjoys working with patients to ensure that the billing is accurate and timely.

A number of people have influenced her over the years, including her mother and father and Leo Dunn, M.D., professor of medicine, who “always gave her words of encouragement.” 

Turner said her current supervisor, Donna Horning, has “a very supportive method of management and is a very kind and caring person.”

An avid gardener, Turner is active in her church, where she enjoys missionary work.  

Alvin M. Zfass

Alvin M. Zfass, M.D., professor of medicine and director of advanced therapeutic endoscopy, attended medical school here and received his degree in 1957. He was the first to receive the Distinguished Medical Teaching Award at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1991, and won “Teacher of the Year” for 20 consecutive years, in part for the M-II course he organized. 

In 1996, he received the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV) Award and the Distinguished Faculty Award the same year.  In 2001mhe received the Virginia Gastroenterology Society Masters Award.   

National awards include the Clinical Achievement Award in 2004.  In 2006, he received the American Gastroenterology Association’s Mentor’s Award and Clinical Achievement Award. In 2006-2008 he received Castle Connolly’s America’s Top Doctors award.

He considers the most significant awards to be those presented to him by the students.  Over the years, he has trained more than 250 gastroenterology fellows and worked with the American Cancer Society to introduce the concept of the benefits of screening for colon cancer to both physicians and the public. This practice has now evolved into commonly accepted screening colonoscopy for colon cancer.  

40 Years

Ronald Lee Webb

Ronnie Webb came to VCU as a paint contractor at age 18. He already had a connection with the university because his uncle also worked here. He credits Jimmy Pollock in Facilities Management with the opportunity to learn his current trade as an electrician. 

Mark Powell, zone superintendent in the physical plant, and Webb’s current supervisor said Webb’s sense of humor and positive attitude are part of Webb’s success. He “makes it enjoyable to come to work.” Powell adds that Webb’s “expertise of over 40 years is invaluable.”

Webb enjoys fishing, umpiring baseball, hunting and spending time with family and friends.

Sandra Carter

In her first job at VCU, Sandy Carter worked with William Regelson, M.D., professor of internal medicine and microbiology and immunology. He gave her a crash course in medical research and training, she said. He also taught her about caring and empathy and “rapport with people of all levels” that served her throughout her career at VCU working with students and faculty.  She went on to work in Educational Planning and Development and in Student Academic Support Services, where she enjoyed helping students.

Now retired, Carter enjoys gardening. She and her husband are fans of hot-rod cars and vacation regularly in Myrtle Beach.

Elizabeth Browder

Elizabeth Browder’s first job was in the Department of Anatomy in McGuire Hall, after transferring from the Virginia Health Department in 1968, just as MCV merged with the Richmond Professional Institute to become VCU.  She accepted the position because she wished to “continue to learn.”

So many things have changed over these 40 years. When she stared, there were no desktop computers, fax machines, copy machines or telephone voice mail. Staff members used manual typewriters, large computers, dictaphone machines, and many pieces of carbon paper. One or two ledger sheets were enough to track annual budgets. Budgets have grown tremendously and now require computers.

The one person who influenced her greatly was Herbert Chermside, director of sponsored programs, who was her mentor and teacher in research administration. She also enjoyed getting to know faculty and their research interests through grant proposals.

In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and volunteering at the local museum.

Estelle F. Ingram

Estelle Ingram began her career at St. Philip Hospital as a nurse’s aide. She recalls the starched uniforms that were a job requirement at the time. She remembers the underground tunnels used for traveling from St. Philip Hospital to the West Hospital and many of the old buildings that have since been removed.

Ingram graduated from the LPN Career Ladder program in 1977. She worked for many years in the Department of Neurology.  Currently, she works in the Adult ER, taking care of patient family needs and “making caring visible.” 

She enjoys singing, modeling, acting in theater, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Florene Walker

Florene Walker’s first job was as a nursing assistant in West 10 – newborn nursery, where she enjoyed working with babies. She also worked as a scheduler in pre-op anesthesia. At that time, charts were on paper. Now, everything is computerized.

She was most influenced by Alice Thomas, who worked with her in the nursery and encouraged her to continue her schooling. Walker is now a patient services representative in Surgical Services.

She enjoys cooking, sewing and spending time with family.

Irene B. Leverett

Irene Leverett’s first job was as a unit clerk on the ward where one of the hospital’s first heart transplant patients was treated.  She had just completed business school and wanted to help people. 

The biggest difference she has noticed over time is how much the institution has grown and how much progress has been achieved. Currently, Leverett works the night shift in trauma and general surgery, which is well known for many new types of surgery, from heart to gastric bypass procedures. 

“Seeing patients smiling faces makes it all worthwhile,” she said, adding that she appreciates the “teamwork, including working with the doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals.”

In her spare time, Leverett enjoys bowling, cooking, walking and gardening.

Jean R. Macon

Jean Macon came to MCV as an elevator operator working in the Central Service Department. She credits her supervisors with giving her guidance, advice and job opportunities.  During her long career, she has witnessed many changes, with computers being the most notable difference. 

She currently works as a medical lab technologist.  She enjoys listening to music, gardening and shopping.  Of her career, she says “it has been a blessed opportunity to be able to work 40 years.” 

Joan Barrett

Joan Barrett has always felt a special bond with MCV, which started when she was born in West Hospital. Years later, she returned in her first position with the Division of Nuclear Medicine, located in the basement of E. G. Williams Hospital, now North Hospital.  She remembers being excited to receive a new IBM Correcting Selectric typewriter as her job was to type reports. 

Each of her former supervisors helped her to grow and influence her in different ways.  One of her favorite jobs was in the late 1970s, when she was assistant to the division chair for Diagnostic Radiology.  She enjoyed working with the residents, especially since she and some of the residents were young newlyweds, starting families. Currently, she is assistant to the dean of the School of Medicine, where she enjoys seeing the bigger picture for the school and how it fits with the growth of the campus and the university.

She enjoys gardening and visiting family, including her two granddaughters in Pennsylvania.  She is also the caregiver for her 93-year-old mother. Of her 40-year career, she is quick to say, “I could not have found a better ‘family’ with which to grow and share my professional and personal life.”

Joyce Ann Branch

When Joyce Ann Branch first came to VCU, it was called the Medical College of Virginia. West Hospital was then the main building. She came for the great benefits, first working as a unit clerk on West 10-OB-GYN. Currently, she is the unit secretary in neurosurgery.  

During her early years, she recalls that “everything was done manually.” She credits Miss McDuffey, who had already been here a number of years, with helping her with work on “life’s problems.”

Branch comes in contact with many different people and enjoys “helping people, family members, patients and co-workers.”  In her spare time, she makes flower arrangements and enjoys spending time with her family.

Lucretia M. Braxton

Lucretia Braxton began work in St. Philip’s emergency room as a hospital aide.  She knew that if she worked for more than a year, MCV would pay her tuition for school.  She is now a certified forensic nurse examiner and a trauma room nurse assisting domestic violence victims teaching them that they can “start over without fear.” 

She credits D. B. Johnson with encouraging her to continue through school for her nursing degree. She also thanks Martha Roane for teaching her to “roll up your sleeves and do whatever you need to do to get the job done, from head nurse on down to housekeeping.”

She enjoys working in her yard, shopping, dancing and giving lectures to educate and empower women on sexual assault and domestic violence.
 

Maggie McClure

Maggie McClure was a student at RPI when she began working in the Dooley Hospital lab processing microbiology samples. She was majoring in biology and wanted to learn more about the medical field and MCV Hospitals.  She remembers when RPI and MCV Hospitals merged to form VCU. She credits the directors of the lab with being excellent role models and teachers.

Over the years, McClure has seen tremendous growth in the lab in new testing, equipment and automation in microbiology.  Currently, she serves as microbiology’s evening supervisor, where she has “hands on” as well as supervisory responsibilities.  She also enjoys teaching new hires and students.
 
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.

Nancy Bowman

Nancy Bowman worked part time as a receptionist and nursing assistant while attending nursing school here. She enjoys direct patient care and working with staff.

“There is lots of support and the team works well,” she said. She also worked as an operating room technician in labor and delivery and is ending her career there as an R.N.–B.S.N. 

Bowman was influenced by Ms. Englehart, head nurse in labor and delivery in the 1960s and 1970s, who taught the staff to “keep things in their place so, in an emergency, supplies would be where they’re supposed to be located.” 

In her spare time, she enjoys visiting family in Southwest Virginia.

Nancy Jackson

Nancy Jackson’s first job was in 1968 as a student worker in patient billing in the admissions office of E. G. Williams Hospital.  She came to that position through the Vocational Education Program in Hanover County. 

She now serves as assistant electives coordinator in the School of Medicine’s curriculum office.  She enjoys working with the medical students as they decide on their career speciality. She credits Dr. Hugo Seibel, professor of medicine, for his support and easy manner. 

During her tenure, she recalls using both manual and electric typewriters and the long process of computer growth.  Now virtually everything is computerized and her department is converting all files to a paperless program. She has also observed numerous changeovers in deanships. Her current supervisor, Dr. Isaac Wood, is a graduate of VCU’s School of Medicine.

Her spare time is spent with her extended family. She also enjoys shopping and the movies.

Alice V. Morris

When she first came to VCU, Morris worked in the Department of Pediatrics doing clerical work. Currently, she works as a unit secretary in the Department of Psychiatry and enjoys assisting patients and staff.

She credits VCU “as a place that offers new learning opportunities, enhancement of skills and opportunities for advancement.” Morris said her peers have influenced her significantly because they have been supportive and caring.

The biggest change she has noticed over the years has been the phenomenal growth in the institution’s size and changes in staffing.

In her spare time, she enjoys baseball games and vacations with family and friends.
 

Barbara Hamilton

Barbara Hamilton first started working in the dietary department at MCV. Upon completing clerical training, she worked in several different units at St. Philip’s Hospital. Her permanent assignment was in the surgical oncology unit, where she worked until moving to her new assignment when Main Hospital opened. 

Currently, she works in pediatrics as a unit secretary where she enjoys meeting patients and their families.

Hamilton has seen many changes over the years, including new buildings and advances in technology.  She enjoys staying close to home and her friendships with work colleagues.