ICARE Award

The ICARE Award is for employees and physicians who demonstrate the core values of UI Health, display a job performance that goes above and beyond expected performance, exhibit a patient-first mentality, are motivated and strive for excellence, contribute to the positive culture in the department and organization, and have made a difference in the life of a patient, visitor, or peer. Click here to submit a CARE Award nomination.

November 2023

Stephanie Marszalek

Submitted by: Lisa Potts
Stephanie was hired in my department in 2020 as a Nursing Informatics Specialist. This was a challenging time for everyone, but Stephanie jumped in with a positive, supportive, and solution-oriented approach.

Today, Stephanie continues this approach in all that she does. Since starting as a specialist in the department, Stephanie has since become the Director of Nursing Informatics. Stephanie works with a wide range of stakeholders from hospital executives, various IS teams, nursing and non-nursing leaders, direct care nursing staff, and all ancillary services. Stephanie can and does quickly pivot as needed from clinical, informatics, and operational perspectives based on the need or situation, and the urgency from the stakeholder. Stephanie works “behind the scenes” so you may not have had a chance to see her in action. Stephanie is a “system thinker” and her ability to understand the view of all stakeholders is remarkable. She can wear a clinical direct care hat, a leadership hat, an informatics hat, and can also speak comfortably with providers to understand their specific workflows.

Fasutina Palos
Ambulatory Care Assistant, Radiology

Submitted by: Maria Guzman, Jean Azbaeche
Throughout the years that I have supervised Faustina, I have been consistently impressed with her productivity and engagement with the department. As a team lead, she assures staff have the tools needed to complete their daily work assignment. Faustina will step up without hesitation and cover the registration desk when other employees are out, in addition to working extended hours to ensure the department has coverage.

She is often the patient's first line of communication when they are having an MRI or calling the MRI department, and even though she works in a busy, stressful environment, she always maintains a cool, professional and friendly demeanor. She goes way above and beyond to ensure the department is running smoothly working alongside the MRI technicians, radiologists, and doctors. Faustina is most definitely a role model to her peers. If needed she will volunteer and help her peers with their work duties. She has trained all new employees, always making them feel comfortable coming to her with questions or asking for help. Faustina is always working closely with clinics and doctors ensuring that patients are cleared before their appointment date for their exam. Faustina is a devoted employee and is an asset to Radiology Department and UI Health.

October 2023

Kelsey Bernardin
Physical Therapist

Submitted by: Vanessa Harmon
Kelsey has been an exemplary physical therapist and teammate from her first day. Her bright smile and can-do attitude have always helped lift the spirits of those around her even in trying circumstances. Kelsey truly cares about her teammates, her patients, and anyone she bumps into during her day, and this has played out in numerous ways this last year. She has been noted to always approach problems with a logical mind and a sense of optimism that there are solutions. She doesn't point out issues without also having ideas on how to address them. She additionally provides her coordinator with excellent ideas to address our own clinic processes that may be unique to us.

Her excellence extends beyond her roles and actions with staff. A few months back, Kelsey had a patient who needed a new rollator walker but wasn't fully capable of navigating the system on their own. Kelsey spent time on the phone with Medicare representatives, physicians, and medical supply stores to find a solution for the patient. Another patient who Kelsey has worked with on and off for the last three years passed away this year. She was in frequent contact with the patient's family while they were in the hospital and then re-arranged her schedule to be able to attend the funeral to support the family. Her constant care of this patient was a great support to the family during their final few years.

Having employees like Kelsey in our midst ensures we are providing excellent care to patients. She also ensures that teammates and other employees feel supported amid challenges that are part of working in healthcare. Kelsey is deserving of recognition for her contributions to our team and organization, as well as her impact on her patients and teammates.

August 2023

Christina Owrey
Staff Nurse, Pediatrics

Submitted by: Dana Thornquist
Christina is one of the people who you are excited to see walk in when she shows up to her shift. She brings humor, positivity, and innovative ideas to every shift she works. She is a team player and willing to help others out and creatively meet the needs of our kids and teenagers in Inpatient Pediatrics

Christina is constantly recognized by kids for being kind, attentive, and funny. She asks questions, teaches, and provides emotional support to kids who are having a hard day. She asks herself what each individual child needs in that moment, and she strives to meet that need in creative ways. Her compassion and attentiveness are so appreciated by all the kids and families.

Christina is always willing to help those around her and be a team player. Christina is consistently coming to me with new ideas to better help our kids cope. She reaches out when she sees a kid struggling who might need more child-life support. She donates toys and teaching items that allow children to learn about their health experiences through play. She is an active member of our poke committee, showing up to every meeting with ideas on what education nurses are looking for. Her consistent presence on this committee has helped us meet our goals quickly, and I have come to rely on her to help out with new projects and initiatives.

Kenny Do
Cytotechnologist, Pathology Laboratory

Submitted by: Dr. Odile David
Kenny Do is an exceptional cytotechnologist who has become indispensable to the provision of the highest quality care in the Cytology Department. His work ethic is right in line with UI Health system’s drive to provide the highest standards of patient care through communication, collaboration, improvement, and accomplishment. He carries out his duties precisely and proactively, such that next steps in any given process will be correct no matter who completes the process. This applies to his work in interventional radiology procedure areas where he prepares specimens for routine evaluation and for ancillary testing, and to his work in the cytology laboratory where he prepares patient specimens for evaluation, runs HPV testing, and screens slides that come from patient specimens. He has an exceptional eye and a highly developed capacity to interpret and contextualize what he sees. He understands the importance of clinical history and of implications for patient management. The pathologists trust his opinions and think twice about overlooking any cells that Kenny has identified as notable. We also know that his specimen preparations are always careful, and representative of the sample procured by the proceduralist. He is efficient and professional, and it is a pleasure to work alongside him. I have the highest regard for Kenny Do and strongly recommend him for this award. We are very fortunate to have him in the UIC Cytology department.

Kevin Sherman

Submitted by: Human Resource Officer, HR
I called HR looking for clarification and information on returning from an extended medical leave, and still needing partial disability while working. I was so nervous about what to do and when to do it. I was also really confused since this was the first time I've had to go through this situation. When I called HR, I got two phone numbers, the first one being Kevin's. I am so happy that I called that first number and spoke with Kevin Sherman because not only did I get all my questions answered, but he was also very kind, compassionate, caring, and respectful with my situation. He offered to help without me even asking. He's the reason I am back at work today, with partial disability, and with full clarity on how everything will work now and in the future. I can't express enough how nice he is. He answers the phone almost immediately, and if not, he calls back within the hour. He takes his time with you and makes sure you understand the information he's giving you. He really deserves recognition because he's a beacon of what UI Health employees should be and how we should all encompass our I-CARE standards. I could not have asked for a better introduction back into the UI Health System. So, thank you very much Kevin!

June 2023

Markisha Coburn

Submitted by: Vanessa Harmon
On Thursday, May 11, 2023, it was the end of the day, and all providers, nurses, and patients had gone for the day except one patient. This patient needed a transporter to assist him in getting from the OCC to the SCB for the concierge parking service. The patient waited 30 minutes, and the clerk was ready to lock the doors. The Heart Center MA, Markisha Coburn, who was exiting the clinic, saw that the patient was still waiting, stepped in, and said, “he’s still here. I’ll take the patient to the SCB!” The patient said that’s okay, I can wait, but she insisted and joked with the patient saying, “Let me help. I don’t want you sitting here when I come back to work tomorrow.” She made the patient feel comfortable and safe. He appreciated her willingness to assist him and was very satisfied with his visit to UI Health. Markisha’s act of kindness, compassion, and concern for our patients helps to make this a place of healing.

Officer Anthony Robinson

Submitted by: Je’Neil Gant
Officer Anthony Robinson has always been a prominent employee here at UI Health. He's always been alert and active when we have conflict here in the emergency room. He not only calms the situation but also deescalate situations before it escalates. Officer Robinson always does this with a huge smile that comforts not only staff but patients as well.

On May 30, 2023, Officer Robinson was at his location here in the emergency room. An OB to go came in and Officer Robinson saw that the tech that was assigned to take the patients up was quite busy. Officer Robinson noticed the patient was in much needed assistance to go to the OB emergency room (upstairs), without hesitation Officer Robinson was witnessed taking the patient to OB ER. At first, I assumed he was going elsewhere so I paid it no mind- as I was finishing my tasks, and then I saw that he was turning the corner. I asked where he was taking the patient. When he said OB, I announced to him that I would take the patient. Overall, this was and is not a part of his job description, but this goes well within the CORE values and MISSION statement of UI Health. I would like to give my flowers while I still can. Thanks for always showing you care and understand that it truly is a team effort.

Submitted by: Devin Jacobs
Officer Robinson goes above and beyond what is required of him to help patients and staff alike when he is stationed in the Emergency Department. Though he is not required to do so, he helps staff continually through with "small" gestures like opening doors for staff while we are transporting patients, assisting patients into wheelchairs or bringing a wheelchair to a patient who looks like they may benefit from one, walking visitors to patient rooms, and being a generally welcoming presence. On numerous occasions he has helped me bring patients into the ED that require wheelchair assistance from the parking lot. I am very thankful for this as I do not always feel comfortable going outside on my own to get patients from their vehicles. These "small" gestures really add up and ultimately help my day run more smoothly. It is so nice to have support and help in the ED which is often a controlled yet chaotic environment to work in. I appreciate the "little" things he does each time he is stationed in the ED to help make the experience better for patients and staff... they do not go unnoticed! Thank you for all you do for UIC/UI Health, Officer Robinson! We (both patients and staff!) are lucky to have you!

Talana Stiff

Submitted by: Cristina Diaz Pabon
Hello, please congratulate and celebrate Ms. Talana Stiff. On May 3, 2023, Ms. Stiff was on her way to take a patient back to their room from nuclear medicine. Ms. Stiff saw that a patient was choking in the waiting room and called for help from staff in MRI. She saw the patient turned blue and knew she had to get help urgently. She not only directed additional staff to where the patient was located, but she assisted by bringing the crash cart to the waiting room where she gave members of the emergency response team the Ambu-bag to provide rescue breaths. Ms. Stiff, you did phenomenal work and we are so proud to have you as a colleague. You recognizing that this patient needed urgent attention created a ripple effect which helped this patient survive from cardiac arrest. Thank you for speaking to me as well to share your thoughts and actions. Our goal is to eliminate cardiac arrest and it starts with recognition that "something is not right." We are so proud of you and want to celebrate your efforts! Thank you for all that you do!

Sincerely, Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, Clinical Practice and Professional Development and Emergency Response Teams at UI Health!! You rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ebonie White

Submitted by: Yurialyse Pye

Ebonie has only been with our department for a short amount of time. I believe it's almost a year. She always jokes that God sent her to the Urology department and I believe that is true. Ebonie came to the department as a float medical assistant, helping the clinic out from time to time as needed while we were short staffed. Since starting with the department, she has always been the helping hand that our department needed. We knew she was the missing piece to our department when a few of our providers would come into clinic requesting that she worked with them during their clinics. Ebonie came into the clinic as a float and handled a clinic of 50 patients by herself during one of her first times assisting in our clinic. She is now a fulltime medical assistant for the department. Whenever someone calls off Ebonie steps in to handle that provider’s schedule as well as completing her work for the day without ever being asked to assist. She is always willing to step up to help when she is needed and even when she isn't needed. She is always thinking one step ahead to provide the needs of the clinic and our patients. If she notices something needs to be ordered or if a patient is need of arranging transportation or having issues with scheduling appointments in other departments, she always goes the extra mile to help. Ebonie demonstrates all of the core values of being a UI Health employee. It is truly a blessing to work with her!

Lakithia Thomas

Submitted by: Jen Fortney

Today when I was passing by the new SCB I noticed that there were a lot of discarded masks, water bottles and other pieces of trash in the planters, on the benches, and along the sidewalk. I went inside to see if I could get some gloves to help pick up. Lakithia said she would get a bag from the back. She came back out a few moments later wearing gloves and headed outside like she was on a mission. I told her she did not need to assist but she walked straight out the door and took the time to make the environment beautiful again. This may seem like a small act, but it was truly an act of service to our patients, visitors, and staff. Lakithia demonstrated leadership, ownership, and pride in UI Health and her environment which we don't see enough of. Her service with a smile was inspiring. Also, she did suggest that we install rubbish bins outside to help keep the SCB looking lovely which I think is a great idea. Kudos to her for going above and beyond!

February 2023

Surgical Clinical Team

Employee Submission: Alex Guyan
I would like to recognize all the staff from our Surgical Clinic, 3F. Specifically, the Medical Assistance Team has felt the harsh ship of missing some of our clinic-based staff. Their constant dedication and hard work are truly exemplary.

We have a unique clinic that supports 10 different Surgical Services. Several of the services require staff with strong knowledge, expertise, and hard work. Their collaboration, teamwork, and dedication should not and have not been overlooked.

One of the services that require a strong team approach is our wound clinic. The wound clinic has a vast amount of challenging patients that require frequent clinic visits and specialty wound care. The team works hard to assure that all of our patients feel welcomed and well cared for. Patients often voice praises for the work that our team provides them; always, with a smile. One of my longtime friends had been a patient in our wound clinic and he often will mention to me how lucky he is to have found a team that took such great care of him.

I am often elated to see the great interaction and joyful exchanges between our staff. The team has demonstrated great resilience and an extraordinary approach to completing tasks to our patients' satisfaction.

Thanks again for your tireless efforts and the work that you do every day. I am truly honored to be part of such a great team.

Teodora Branca

Employee Submission: Josiah Sault
I had the pleasure of co-treating a few patients in the neuro ICU with Tia during Snowmageddon 2022 (Dec 23). I don't frequently work in the inpatient setting as I manage an offsite physical therapy clinic primarily treating ambulatory patients with orthopedic complaints, and I was helping to fill in during the storm. Tia not only has the most calming presence and made me feel at home working with her in a setting I hadn't been in for a few years, but she demonstrated unconditional regard for her patients.

With one patient in particular I was struck by the depth of respect and honor shown to those in her care. We went in to see a patient on covid and contact plus isolation in the neuro ICU. The patient had been found after experiencing a stroke the day before and was transferred to our hospital from an outside hospital because they could not provide the testing needed. The patient was globally aphasic and when we entered the room did not open her eyes. She didn't move or respond to our voices and was generally unresponsive to any attempt to rouse her. After we had completed our assessments, Tia took a few additional minutes to clean the woman's face, eyes, and forehead speaking to her kindly as she did. This woman may not have heard or understood the words, but at that moment, Tia demonstrated what we all need to remember: the people we serve need our help, and regardless of their recognition of our efforts are deserving of empathy, kindness, respect, and care. I am confident had I not been there, Tia would have done the same thing in the same manner. Lifted my spirits moving into the holidays!

March 2023

Alexandra Scheneck

On Wednesday the 24th of January I went to have my voice prosthesis changed due to leakage. Unfortunately, the replacement I brought box was missing the replacement. Alex suggested we go home and look for the replacement and if we couldn't find it she would help us reorder another. Upon arriving home, we found the replacement she took time to give us a courtesy call to get an update. She scheduled us for the following day Thursday the 25th at 9:30 am. What a day!! What started as a routine change was more than expected. You see my voice prosthesis is on an angle and very hard to insert. Only Caroline Deskin is familiar with the angle! But Alex was phenomenal 4 hours we were there with numerous attempts to insert the prosthesis. She reached out to several resources for help. Reassuring me that she was going to get it! Only caring that I was comfortable and not in any pain! She contacted Liz who insisted that she dilate the hole larger for easy insertion. She reached out to Atos Medical! Not until she called Caroline Deskin who is familiar with changing my prosthesis gave her direction. Caroline said to use a QTip to find the angle! She said OK Eugene let's try again! She used a Qtip found the angle and inserted that voice prosthesis in minutes! High five!!! It's a done deal phenomenal work at its best! During the entire visit, Alex kept that smile on her face assuring me if this time doesn't work I have a backup plan! She went above and beyond to find a solution and never giving up! She made me feel comfortable and confident that she would get the job done! Yes, she deserves recognition because she had other patients to see. Yet she continued to make my visit her #1 priority! Changing my voice prosthesis is not an easy job! Caroline would confirm this! But Alex found the resources to make this a smooth transition! On a scale from 1-10, I give her a 10+. Thank you Alex for being a part of UI Healthcare You have gained a satisfied Patient.

Carrie Carpenter

Employee Submission: 2C PT Staff

Carrie is a phenomenal healthcare provider. She is very responsive to communication. All patients have responded with such positive remarks about Carrie.

Carrie consistently demonstrates UIH core values daily as she provides social services support to the patients, we serve in outpatient OT/PT in 2C. As a team of providers, we often find the needs of our patients that extend beyond our therapy scope. Sometimes the need is very urgent. We call on Carrie frequently, and she is always responsive, caring, compassionate, helpful, and thorough. Not only is she invaluable to our team, but she is also invaluable to our patients. We are beyond fortunate to have her at UIH, living out our values and mission every day.

I'm including comments from several team members in 2C below:
Carrie is one of the most passionate and empathetic individuals I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. From assisting in setting up stress/depression counseling, legal help, housing/homecare aid resources, etc. Countless times I’ve had incidences where Carrie has assisted my patients to receive optimal resources to optimize care. –RM

Carrie is not only very reliable and responsive, but she is also kind and thorough in her approach. She is full of compassion in her commitment to our patients. On behalf of the PT/OT team in 2C, Thank You, Carrie, for providing such wonderful care for our patients. You are exceptional, and a difference-maker! –JP

Carrie is always so positive and responsive to staff and patient needs. I had contacted Carrie once with a need to assist a patient in getting a Rollater walker as the patient could not seek out a vendor on her own. Not only did Carrie respond, but she was able to physically bring a Rollater walker to our clinic and provide it to the patient. What a way to serve our patients with excellence! I truly feel that I can rely on Carrie to address patient needs. If she is available, she comes to the clinic directly and speaks to a patient. If she is unavailable, she is consistent and timely with phone call follow-ups to address PT care needs. There has never been a time in which a need or question was not addressed. Additionally, Carrie will go out of her way to learn more about how to best aid a patient. She was less familiar with how PT wheelchair needs are met and took the time to come into the clinic and speak with therapists to ensure that she had all the correct information. Her commitment to patients is inspirational, her communication is always patient, empathetic, and positive, and her dedication to ensuring the quality of care provided is excellent.-SD

Carrie is Consistent! Truly, she responds promptly to every single referral I email her about no matter how busy she is. She is dedicated, caring, and professional; she is an extreme value to UI Health! -JS

Carrie is timely and thorough. She always responds to me quickly and reaches out to patients quickly. She then completes very comprehensive documentation that often includes resources provided to the patient, so I’ve had instances where the patient has lost the information she provided but I was able to provide it again because she noted it in the chart. –AU

Carrie is always a champion for all patients. I have often requested her help and some of those were very difficult situations that patients were in, and Carrie was tried and true. No matter the request, she is always happy to help, efficient, and effective. She truly embodies the UI Health mission. –HM

Carrie is dependable and a huge asset to our patients in the 2C clinic. We are lucky to be able to rely on her! –LG

Carrie is an incredible social worker, and my patients say great things about her. She is extremely reliable, and I can always be confident she will reach out to each patient I refer. Our patients can have very complicated, difficult lives and trauma, and Carrie ensures she not only addresses the reason for referral but goes out of her way to identify any other needs the patient may have, like accessible mental health. Carrie is an incredible social worker, and my patients say great things about her. She is extremely reliable, and I can always be confident she will reach out to every patient I refer. Our patients can have complicated lives and trauma, and Carrie ensures she not only addresses the reason for referral but goes out of her way to identify any other needs the patient may have, like accessible mental health referrals, utility assistance, homemaker services, and help to arrange medical transportation through insurance and PACE. Carrie is invaluable to this department, our patients, and UI Health as a whole. AM

She is awesome and such a help to my patients. – MA

Carrie is an amazing social worker! She goes above and beyond for our department to ensure that our patients have the resources that they need to navigate very difficult situations. She is quick to respond and super reliable!! I honestly don't know where our department and our patients would be without her! We love you Carrie – MB

Diana Rodriquez

Employee Submission: Heidi Enriquez on behalf of the Hepatology Service

We would like to nominate Diana for an I CARE award for her recent efforts on behalf of one of our patients discharged home with hospice. Diana works every Saturday and is responsible for attending to the social work needs of patients throughout the hospital.

On this Saturday, the hepatology service requested her assistance in supporting a complex hospice discharge. The hepatology resident passed along the following thank you: I am the current senior resident in the Hepatology inpatient service, and I wanted to give a special commendation to Mrs. Diana Rodriguez, the weekend floor social worker, who was of immense help to our team today. We appreciate all of our social workers immensely, but today Diana provided us with such incredible help that I feel the need to recognize her individually. We had a particularly difficult situation with a patient who is undocumented, actively dying, and whose family desperately wanted to take him home today to begin charity hospice services so that he could pass peacefully surrounded by his loved ones instead of in the hospital alone. Because of Diana's help, we were able to take advantage of the small window of medical stability we had for this patient to facilitate his last wishes, which he had clearly articulated to us were to go home and be with his loved ones at the end of his life. Diana even worked incredibly efficiently to arrange a charity ambulance for this patient when the team had been told previously no such service could be made available; the family (and the team) were encouraged simply by the humanity of this gesture, even though they ultimately decided to transport the patient on their own because they did not want to risk waiting until tomorrow. Diana truly went above and beyond for our team and this patient today, coordinating hospice services at the very last minute, making sure all the patient's paperwork was in order, and most important of all, maintaining a kind and positive demeanor through it all. It is only because of her help that we were able to expedite this patient's care and discharge him safely, making sure the hospice agency could evaluate him immediately upon his arrival home, and that the family would thus have the support they needed to care for him during an incredibly challenging time. I think I speak for the entire Hepatology team today when I say we want to give Diana our greatest thanks!!

April 2023

Gail Buenaventura

The Department of Surgical Services strives to deliver high-quality efficient care for all of our patients. While metrics are used to measure this care, they are only part of the equation. The other part is ensuring that our values and the I CARE standards are embedded into that care. I would like to take this opportunity to share how Melissa demonstrated compassion, respect, and excellence as she cared for a patient in the perioperative area. Watching her as she interacted with the patient, had I not known that she was a practitioner, I would have thought that she was a family member. Even using the assistance of an interpreter, her compassionate tone and patient manner were evident as she helped the patient understand his plan of care. She spoke slowly and stopped frequently to ensure that he was able to follow what she was saying. She allowed ample time for him to provide his input and ask any questions. When it was time for him to sign, he seemed unsure how to proceed using the available technology. She later explained to me that she frequently encounters patients that are new to using e-signature devices. With the help of the interpreter, she carefully explained to the patient what needed to be done and walked him through each step. Her tone was one of respect and compassion. Not only was the patient able to sign the consent, but he had a big smile on his face and a sense of accomplishment. Not only was the task completed but Melissa accomplished it with excellence.

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