Ms.
Morris honored with Blissit Award
by Sharron Walls
Diana Morris, administrative assistant to R. Bryan Ginn Jr., vice president for university advancement, was named the 2006 recipient of the Erie P. Blissit Award Oct. 12 during the 39th Annual Employee and Faculty Service Recognition Ceremony.
The award, first given in 1998, is funded by an endowment established by James A. Blissit, MCG vice president and treasurer emeritus, in memory of his wife, Erie, who retired from MCG after 30 years of service, including 17 as administrative assistant to the president. This year, Mrs. Blissit’s granddaughter, Shelly Highsmith, who works for MCGHI in perioperative services, joined MCG President Daniel W. Rahn in presenting the award.
The Blissit Award honors active full-time classified employees who deserve special recognition for outstanding service performing administrative support. Nominees are judged in areas of customer service, continuous improvement, interpersonal skills, quality and delivery of service.
Ms. Morris joined MCG in December 1987 as a receptionist in the Department of Dermatology. Quickly promoted to administrative secretary, she continued to take on more responsibilities with further promotions until she transferred after seven years to the Department of Ophthalmology, where she was assistant to the department chair. In September 2002 she joined what was then the Division of External and Governmental Relations, now merged with University Advancement.
“There is no question that Diana is the solid rock within the division,” said Mr. Ginn in his nominating remarks, pointing out the positive reinforcement Ms. Morris provided for both management and staff during the merger, even as her own workload quadrupled and went beyond the scope of her job description. “[She] builds bridges to all team members, treating everyone with respect and loyalty….She is an advisor, a confidant, a mentor and exceedingly valued member of the University Advancement family.” Reflecting on the part of the job that requires interaction with legislators on local, state and federal levels regarding patient care, Mr. Ginn praised Ms. Morris for her ability to “exhibit empathy while delivering difficult news,” adding that she “oftentimes takes on the role of ombudsman. She is an effective spokesperson for the downtrodden who have nowhere else to turn and endeavors to use her professional and personal ties to assist those who come into our sphere of influence.”
“A lot of times I can’t help but get involved,” said Ms. Morris. “I wish we could help everyone.”
Fellow nominees were Marianne Brown, library/academic affairs; Debbie Dye, oral biology and maxillofacial pathology; Sharon Gay, materials management; Jo Johnson, School of Nursing business office; Sharon Lever, cellular biology and anatomy; Elaine Mertins, physical therapy; Mary Ann Pesa, health informatics; Diane Riffe, academic affairs/student affairs; Robin Shaffer, OB/GYN; Kimberly Templeton, institutional audit and compliance; and Teresa Toelle, oral diagnosis.
“I think all of us who were nominated were winners,” said Ms. Morris. “Our bosses, busy as they are, took the time to write such nice things about us and go through the nomination process; we’re all winners.”
Words of thanksWhen Dr. Rahn asked Ms. Morris if she would like to say anything following her announcement as winner of the 2006 Blissit Award, she was literally speechless with surprise. Here’s what she says she would have said (if the cat hadn’t got her tongue!). First I would like to thank our Dear Heavenly Father through whom all blessings flow. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Blissit family for making this wonderful opportunity possible for the administrative support staff here at MCG. I would like to thank my dear friend Betty Johnson as she is the person who recommended me for my first position in the Dermatology clinic. I would like to thank Kay Rogers who for many years until her retirement was my department manager. Kay shared a lot of knowledge with me and I thank her immensely. I would like to thank Dr. Malcolm Luxenberg, chairman emeritus of the Department of Ophthalmology, with whom I worked until his retirement. Last, but certainly not least, I thank my wonderful boss, Bryan Ginn, my friend and co-worker, Mary Crowley, and the staff in university advancement. Thank you all very much.
|