Employee & Physician Recognition Program

Nominate those who have made a difference in your experience at UI Health! The Employee & Physician Recognition Program consists of different types of recognition. Below are the details and criteria for each category.

Both patients and employees can submit a recognition nomination via this link: Employee Recognition & Physician Nomination Form or by submitting a paper nomination. Recognition brochures are located throughout UI Health buildings.

The Employee Experience Team will review submissions based on the award criteria and then present the recognition or award.

On the Spot Recognition

Did you catch a colleague doing something great for a patient or helping you out on a project? Let them know by writing out their recognition on a Shout Out Card.

Did you witness someone make a good catch for patient safety or identify a near miss? Let them know by writing out their recognition on the Safety Shout Card.

On the Spot Recognitions can be posted in their workspace or on community boards for all to see.

To request Shout Out and/or Safety Shout Out cards for your team, email recognition@uic.edu

Recognition Awards and Presentations

Thank You Note

Nominated Employee & Physician receives an email from the Recognition Team thanking them for a job well done. The Manager and nominator are also copied on the email.

The criteria include:

  • Performs job duties to the expected performance level.

ICARE Award

Recipients will receive a surprise visit from the Recognition Team and be awarded special prizes. The leader, nominator, and nominees’ coworkers are also invited to attend.

The criteria for an ICARE Award include:

  • Demonstrates the core values of UI Health: Inclusion Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence
  • Displays a job performance that goes beyond expected performance levels
  • Exhibits a patient-first mentality
  • Motivated and strives for excellence
  • Contributes to the positive culture in the department and organization

Read about recent ICARE Award winners.


Safety Star Award

Recipients will receive a surprise visit from the Recognition Team and be awarded special prizes. The leader, nominator, and nominees’ coworkers are also invited to attend.

The criteria for a Safety Star Award include:

  • Commitment to quality and safety in our care environments
  • Model best practices of the UI Health Culture of Safety
  • A significant impact on the safety outcome for a patient or employee

Read about recent Safety Star Award winners.


Class Act Award

Recipients will be recognized at the Class Act Award Ceremony. The person who nominated the individual will be invited, in addition to their manager and members of the recipient’s team. Their nomination will be read, and the award will be presented by leadership.

All winners of a Class Act Award will be reviewed at the end of the fiscal year for the chance to be selected as the Employee of the Year Award.

People nominated for a Class Act Award should demonstrate the following behaviors and qualities:

  • Personifies the core values of UI Health: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence
  • Puts the patient first in all encounters and consistently contributes to the delivery of world-class patient care
  • Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for their actions
  • Collaborates with others across all areas to provide excellent patient care and service delivery
  • Supports all UI Health clinic and/or department initiatives
  • Shares and provides relevant, timely, and accurate information, and communicates with clarity and courtesy
  • Fosters an environment that encourages respect, integrity, fairness, and diversity
  • Recognizes others for their contributions to UI Health
  • Is respected by their peers

Read about recent Class Act Award winners.


Daisy Awards

Recipients will receive a surprise visit from Nursing Leadership and the Recognition Team. The person who nominated the individual will be invited, in addition to their manager and members of the recipient’s team. Their nomination will be read, and the award will be presented by leadership.

The Daisy Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skills and compassionate care given by nurses every day. Submit a nomination for the Daisy Award.

All winners of a Daisy Award will be reviewed at the end of the fiscal year for the chance to be selected as the Employee of the Year Award.


Joe Abraham

Joseph Abraham, MBA, RT
Former Associate Chief Operating Officer

Joseph V. Abraham Leadership Award

Established in 2021, in recognition of his retirement, this leadership award honors Joe’s work and more than 30 years of service in Imaging & Diagnostic Services at UI Health. Joe started as a Radiology Technologist, was promoted to a supervisor, manager, director, and retired as an Associate Chief Operating Officer. Joe also received his bachelor's degree in Bioengineering and MBA from UIC as well. This award is given out every year to an outstanding employee in the Hospital Imaging and Diagnostics Department and is intended to motivate staff to pursue leadership/educational opportunities.


Annual Award Ceremony

Each year, UI Health awards outstanding employees in the following categories:

  • Employee of the Year
  • Physician of the Year
  • Fellow/Resident of the Year
  • Advanced Practice Provider of the Year

Learn more about the UI Health "Of the Year Award winners".