Think. Teach. Do. Awards Honor Staff.

Think. Teach. Do. Awards Honor Staff
The staff awards program celebrates staff for embodying SPH’s core mission and values. The latest recipients of the awards are Mohammed Abba-Aji, Shelley Barnes, Mallory Bersi, Marie Daniel, Michelle Flesaker, Susan Gomes, Kimberly Graham, Sarah Lawrence, Ashley Leonard, Nikki Longe, Wuji Shan, and Andrew Zaleski.
Twelve School of Public Health staff members received Think. Teach. Do. Staff Awards in the second two quarters of 2024 in recognition of their efforts in helping foster a supportive and productive campus culture.
Modeled after SPH’s core purpose, “Think. Teach. Do. For the health of all,” the awards program acknowledges staff achievements, behaviors, and strong work ethics that embody SPH’s core mission and values. It was developed by the Staff Recognition & Awards Subcommittee, an extension of the Staff Senate, in collaboration with Ira Lazic, associate dean for administration and finance.
The program aims to enhance team morale and staff resilience while rewarding staff excellence at the School and is designed to stimulate innovation and novel approaches to work-related tasks and projects that benefit individual departments, SPH, or Boston University, as a whole. Awards are given to individuals for each of the three categories on a quarterly basis, and both part-time and full-time staff members are eligible.
Think.
The Think. Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional innovation in research activities, program development, or the creation or implementation of tools and systems that improve processes at SPH.

Michelle Flesaker, a data analyst for the Center for Trauma and Mental Health and a graduate student in the Master of Science in Epidemiology program, received the Think. Award for the impressive initiative she has shown over the course of the past year as she has supported the launch of the new Center. A searchable repository of publicly available datasets on stress, trauma, and mental health on the Center’s website stands as a credit to Flesaker’s resourcefulness. While she was given several months to source the data, she dutifully completed the task in just a week. Flesaker has since provided analytic support to a variety of faculty members across the school, garnering her high praise for her strong work ethic and attention to detail. When asked to conduct preliminary analyses for a recently funded R01 grant, for example, she took it upon herself to find training sources, read literature, and consult experts, ultimately developing analytic code using a complex method previously unknown to her. The faculty member with whom she collaborated reported that Flesaker was not only responsible and insightful during their meetings, but she was also simply a pleasure to converse with. “She makes science fun,” reads her nomination letter. Another faculty member shared the following unsolicited feedback with Flesaker’s supervisor, “I wanted to send you a quick note to express how impressed with and grateful I am for Michelle’s efforts. […] Michelle is so detail oriented, extremely organized, and asks questions that have allowed us to strengthen our approach. […] I also want to thank you for making it possible for Michelle to be spending her time working with us. She is such an asset to the team, and I feel very lucky to get to work with her!”
Nikki Longe, registrar and director of academic integrity, received the Think. Award for her instrumental role in helping faculty, staff, and student navigate the new Student Information System. When SPH transitioned to the new system on the same schedule as the undergraduates, numerous challenges arose as many functions were not set up correctly for SPH. Despite being the target of much of the frustrations surrounding the system, Longe diligently provided timely, professional updates throughout the process. She advocated tirelessly for SPH’s faculty, staff and students and proved instrumental in correcting many of the operational issues with the system. Her outstanding leadership and dedication during this time earned her the respect of her nominator and other beneficiaries of her work across the school.

Mohammed Abba-Aji, research fellow in the Department of Epidemiology, received the Think. Award for his significant contributions to raising the School’s research profile with his high output of high-quality publications. In the past year alone, Abba-Aji has produced eight first- and second-author papers and has several more currently under review or in press. Notably, Abba-Aji led the first national survey on mental health and resilience following violent incidents in Nigeria, which brought together people with lived experiences, civil society organizations, the Africa Field Epidemiology Network, and the Nigerian Ministry of Health. Abba-Aji is now spearheading work on how conflict influences health through commercial pathways for an upcoming global report from the World Health Organization on the commercial determinants of health. Abba-Aji also contributes to the Lancet Commission on Gun Violence to promote strategies to mitigate firearm-related injuries and deaths globally. At the 2024 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, the Injury Control and Emergency Health Services section recognized Abba-Aji with an award for his poster presentation on preventing gun violence.

Wuji Shan, statistical programmer I at the Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center (BEDAC), received the Think. Award for exceeding expectations for a junior programmer and quickly becoming a respected, reliable, and supportive colleague during just her second full year at BEDAC. According to her nomination letter, Shan has consistently delivered on team projects and repeatedly excelled above and beyond the requirements of her position. While most members of BEDAC contribute to one to two center initiatives, Shan has managed to touch on three to four. She is not only skilled in both SAS and R, but she is also eager to learn other programming languages and software and has taken it upon herself to independently study Python. As submitted to data repositories has become an increasingly common requirement for a range of research studies working with BEDAC, Shan has taken the task in stride, independently submitting to two different data repositories and documenting her process step-by-step so that others could benefit from her expertise. A project manager commended Shan’s communication and aptitude, adding “she is delightful to work with.”
Teach.
The Teach Award is presented to an individual who has taken ownership of key concerns and needs, acted on opportunities, solved problems, or brought people and resources together to make processes at SPH more efficient and accessible for others.

Kimberly Graham, assistant director in Development and Alumni Relations, received the Teach. Award for her impactful commitment to overseeing the SPH Alumni Mentorship Program (AMP). Graham’s nominator commends her meticulous attention to detail in matching hundreds of student and alumni participants each year, writing, “Kim goes beyond simply matching participants based on career interests and educational backgrounds; she embodies the need for an inclusive and welcoming membership so that all thrive in the program.” Graham also continues to improve the program by streamlining the program’s communications, sharing best practices, and conducting end-of-year surveys to solicit feedback. Her ability to recognize and act on opportunities for growth resulted in the program’s successful expansion to include first-year students as well as alumni seeking to be matched with other alumni. Graham’s commitment to community building is pervasive in all that she does, notes her nominator, from serving as DAR’s liaison to the Student Senate to co-chairing the professional development committee as an at-large member of the Staff Senate. As she strives to meet the immediate needs of the SPH community, Graham is also working to lay the groundwork for the future.

Ashley Leonard, assistant director of student affairs on the Graduate Student Life Team, received the Life Teach. Award for stepping up and serving as a “pillar of strength and positivity” during a time when GSL was short-staffed. Leonard embraced the opportunity to support both her colleagues and SPH’s student however she could, continually asking what more she could do to help. Despite an increased workload and a demanding environment, Leonard never complained, leading with confidence and ensuring the successful execution of the team’s events. Her contagious enthusiasm and innovative efforts to engage students breathed new life into GSL’s programming and boosted participation in on-campus activities. Leonard’s nominator writes, “I frequently hear from students about how Ashley’s mentorship helped them navigate difficult situations within their organizations or personal lives. Her empathy, encouragement, and genuine concern for their well-being have left a lasting impression on many. […] The positive effects of her work will be felt by hundreds of students at BUSPH for years to come.”
Sarah Lawrence, academic program administrator in the Department of Community Health Sciences, received the Teach. Award for her generosity of spirit in helping the Department of Global Health upon the resignation of their own academic program administrator. Lawrence’s collaborative efforts to share guidance and feedback did not go unnoticed by her nominator, who writes, “Not only was [Lawrence] willing to help, she was responsive, insightful, and proved to be a great resource in the weeks that GH was without an APA. I understand her time was valuable to CHS but feel she went above and beyond answering my questions for GH.” Lawrence also recently concluded a dedicated term of service on the Staff Senate, where she was a valued member of the communications committee.

Andrew (Andy) Zaleski, senior financial analyst in the Administration and Finance Unit, received the Teach. Award for his collaborative quick-thinking and problem-solving. When a colleague departed early in the year, Zaleski did not skip a beat in anticipating what unit needs might go unmet and assuming extra responsibilities to address those needs. He also played a pivotal role in training the unit’s new hire. Zaleski’s nominator writes that his “exceptional dedication and proactive spirit shine through in everything he does” and that his “natural ability to collaborate with staff across the school has truly enriched our work environment, fostering a spirit of cooperation and excellence.”
Do.
The Do Award is presented to an individual who has created extensive opportunities for others toward community building and making connections through programs, policies, and/or spaces, honoring the experiences of various populations and reflecting the SPH core purpose of sparking social change, fostering a sense of belonging, and building relationships across differences.

Shelley Barnes, senior financial administration in the Department of Epidemiology, received the Do. Award for the vital role she plays in keeping her department running smoothly. After nearly 25 years with SPH, it is no wonder that Barnes’ nominator dubs her the “heart of our department.” Barnes knows everyone and makes each person feel like an essential part of the team. “She is the person everyone goes to whenever there is a problem or question. She covers for everyone else and elevates all of us,” reads her nomination letter. She is also always willing to lend a hand. When the new director of SPH’s PhD program needed assistance facilitating a qualifying exam last summer, for example, Barnes immediately leapt in to help. Barnes has also applied her problem-solving prowess, strategic thinking skills, and emotional intelligence to the thoughtful planning and arrangement of the office as the department has grown. The warm welcome she offers while onboarding new faculty and staff has earned her much praise, with one colleague noting, “Shelley supports everyone and living thing in the department so much and so well… right down to the plants! Check out the plant by the printer. It was a twig when it was left to her!”

Susan Gomes, administrative director in the Department of Epidemiology, received the Do. Award for her calm and compassionate demeanor and can-do attitude. Throughout the implementation of the new Student Information System, Gomes has shown unwavering patience and determination. When problems inevitably arose, she never complained, but rather promptly alerted everyone affected and shared the most accurate updates she could. Her good cheer and work ethic have led to a multitude of compliments in response to her department’s anonymous feedback inquiry: “Is there anyone at BUSPH who really improved your success or satisfaction at work last week?” Her nominator describes her as simply “a consummate professional [who] exemplifies the best of BU.”

Marie Daniel, director of advising and employer engagement in the Career and Practicum Office, received the Do. Award for her ongoing efforts to ensure that SPH students are well-supported. Since joining the School in 2016, Daniel has mentored and advised hundreds of students across the epidemiology & biostatistics and environmental health certificates, as well as all the master of science programs. She also mentors first-generation BU undergraduates. Daniel leverages her understanding of various industries in support of students’ career development and empowers students to step confidently into their professional lives, writes her nominator. Her deep commitment to her students often extends beyond regular business hours and her office is adorned with thank-you notes from grateful students, a testament to the genuine relationships she has built and sustained long after graduation. Daniel’s commitment is not limited to students either, she has also forged and strengthened important relationships with local employers. Last summer, for example, Daniel collaborated with Julia Lanham, assistant dean of careers and practicum, to establish a new partnership with Pfizer, resulting in seven paid practicums for MPH students in Pfizer’s Medical Affairs office. The success of Daniel’s efforts elevated SPH’s reputation and set a precedent for future partnerships.

Mallory Bersi, managing editor in the Office of Marketing and Communications, received the Do. Award for her transformative leadership of Public Health Post (PHP). Bersi oversees the one-of-a-kind digital health magazine, facilitating one of SPH’s signature learning opportunities for students who are interested in honing their skills in science communication. Each year, she helps to train a new cohort of student fellows in the art of writing about public health for a general audience and for the first time in 2024, she piloted a new type of fellowship focused on developing digital content for social media. Under Bersi’s direction, the popularity of these fellowships has exploded, with the latest application pool having grown by 75% over the previous year. Last summer, Bersi and the PHP team also successfully launched a new website and updated PHP’s brand and, in the fall, she presented a poster about PHP’s model at a leading conference for philanthropic communicators. Bersi’s colleagues find her dedication to her students and commitment to public health storytelling inspiring.
To recognize an employee for their outstanding contributions consistent with the Think. Teach. Do. mantra, please submit your online nomination form.
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