The Department of Surgery is pleased to announce the introduction of three new Department awards that celebrate good citizenship, and honor the staff, trainees, and faculty who lead by example.
- The Helping Hand Award recognizes an individual’s extraordinary contribution toward a specific project, initiative, or circumstance. Up to four awards are announced each month.
- The Extra Mile Award recognizes an individual who consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty. One award is announced per quarter, with four annual winners.
- The Dr. Walter E Longo M.D. Award recognizes one faculty member per year who has a significantly positive influence on the cultural legacy of the Department of Surgery.
Additional details as to eligibility and rewards are printed in Table 1.
The development of the citizenship awards comes at the recommendation of the Task Force Culture Work Group, as voted upon by the Department as a priority initiative. The Implementation Committee, led by Dr. Peter Gruber, and with invited representation from faculty and administrators from each Division, subsequently created the awards.
“It was an almost unanimous decision to name the highest honor after Dr. Longo,” said Dr. Gruber. “Only Dr. Longo objected, suggesting what he described as ‘far more deserving’ leaders. It is this very humility and selfless dedication that speaks to the heart of Yale Surgery citizenship.”
The nomination process is open to the entire Yale Health System. A QR code that links to the online nomination form will be posted in high-visibility locations on the YSM campus, online, and in The Bulletin.
The Citizenship Awards Committee, appointed by Dr. Nita Ahuja, consists of a group of self-selecting faculty, with M&P, C&T, resident, and nurse representation. Implementation Committee Members Dr. Danielle Haakinson and Dr. Vanita Ahuja coordinated the development of the citizenship awards initiative and will co-lead the Committee in its first year. The group is charged with the one-year responsibility of reviewing nominations, selecting winners, and organizing appropriate recognition.
The Inaugural Annual Citizenship Awards Dinner will take place in early spring 2020. The event will publicly recognize award recipients in the company of colleagues, friends, and family.
Table 1.
| Award | Helping Hand Award | Extra Mile Award | Walter E Longo MD Award |
| Honors | An individual who went above and beyond to support a colleague(s) in a specific instance. | An individual who consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty, modeling leadership, respect, and professionalism. | An individual who has a significant positive influence on the cultural legacy of the Department of Surgery. |
| Can Nominate | Any Yale University or Yale Health Network Employee. | Any Yale University or Yale Health Network Employee. | Any Yale University or Yale Health Network Employee. |
| Can Receive | Surgery Faculty Surgery Trainees Surgery APPs Surgery Lab Personnel Surgery M&Ps Surgery C&Ts | Surgery Faculty Surgery Trainees Surgery M&Ps | Surgery Faculty |
| Frequency | Up to 4/month | 1/quarter | 1/year |
| Announced Via | The Bulletin | The Bulletin Annual Report | State of the Department The Bulletin Annual Report |
| Reward | Certificate Annual Awards Dinner | Certificate Plaque Annual Awards Dinner | Certificate Trophy Annual Awards Dinner |
Citizenship Awards Committee: Dr. Danielle Haakinson & Dr. Vanita Ahuja (co-leaders); Dr. Andrew Duffy, Dr. John Geibel, Dr. David Mulligan, Dr. Ronnie Rosenthal; John Albis (M&P representative), Administrative Chief Brian Arnold (resident representative), Lisa Fox (nursing representative), Beatrice Guess (C&T representative). De-facto members: Department Chair, Dr. Nita Ahuja; Vice Chair Finance and Administration, Greg Kharabadze.