The Yale Surgery Citizens Helping Hand Award recognizes an individual’s extraordinary contribution toward a specific project, initiative, or circumstance. The Yale Surgery Citizens Extra Mile Award recognizes an individual who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty.
Helping Hand Recipients
Rachel Agosto, Senior Administrative Assistant "She is willing to help anyone anywhere anytime. A FABULOUS addition to our team." – Dr. Peter Gruber
Agustina DiRocco, APRN, Pediatric Critical Care "As one of the newest members of the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Team, Agustina is always willing to lend her services to translate and communicate with native-Spanish speaking families at the bedside. She is compassionate and patient. These interactions are often extensive with lots of questions and sharing of complex information. I've seen this make a big difference in providing comfort and deeper understanding to our patients and families." – Dr. Madonna Lee
Jennifer Hopper, AuD, Manager, Yale Hearing and Balance Center "Jenni, as the audiology program director, consistently goes above and beyond to help her team. She brings in treats for themed days, boosts morale with her positive attitude, and is always on call for our questions and concerns. I really cannot stress enough how much Jenni is the glue that holds our department together. She deserves special recognition for the tremendous work she does for her peers and patients." – Dr. Olivia Piper
Dirk Johnson, MD, Medical Director, Surgical Services "As I was exiting the hospital late after clinic I found Dr. Johnson and two staff members from SRC in the parking garage. Dr. Johnson was in his shirt and tie with hands soiled with grease replacing a tire for one of the staff. Most people would have probably let the staff members call AAA or a family member but Dr. Johnson wanted to ensure that this employee got home safely and was not left alone waiting. A true model citizen." – Dr. Adnan Prsic
Madonna Lee, MD
Ali Makhzangi, IT Support Specialist "I could never thank Ali enough for the support he has provided for the CT surgery resident and fellowship interviews. On one of our scheduled Saturday interviews, my backup had an emergency and could not help, Ali stepped into the role without hesitation. With over 15 applicants and 15 faculty members his assistance was crucial to getting through the day. He has also provided IT support for our In training exams, takes the time to explain everything techy l to our New Program Director. He is not just an IT guy, he is the IT guy!!!" – Lisa Giudice
Marianna Papageorge, MD, PGY-4 General Surgery Resident "Marianna is an outstanding co-resident and friend. She is constantly looking to help others and her focus on patient care is unparalleled. She has been offering, unprompted, to cover a co-resident who had a rough week of calls/surgeries to help her get out of the hospital and get rest." – Dr. David Esposito
Ansley Roche, MD, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology "Ansley is always available and willing to help her colleagues. As just one example, I recently asked if she wanted to try a new and complex free flap harvest together; and (after thinking for a few minutes as to if it made sense) was all in and she delivered a great outcome and learning experience. She is relatively new at Yale surgery, but has quickly become a huge asset to the Head and Neck team with her amazing surgical skills and patient care." – Dr. Saral Mehra
Extra Mile Recipients
Halley Hebert, Senior Administrative Assistant II "I am nominating Halley Hebert who has graciously volunteered to come into the office every day for the next month to train a staff member who has been struggling in her role. Halley is an exceptional employee who possesses the qualities and skills necessary to excel in this important position. She is so humble and genuine and is an expert at what she does. Halley used to be a Sr. Admin who supported the Clinical side for our doctors. She has transitioned to oversee ONLY the Academic piece to the Sr. Admin role, yet she is still volunteering to help the team and this staff member to learn both Clinical and Academic. This is not the first time that Halley has volunteered and stepped up to help someone. She goes above and beyond her scope every day to make this a better working environment for our team, our doctors and most importantly, our patients. I appreciate all the hard work and believe Halley is a true Yale Surgery Citizenship!" – Junila Hoda
“Always offers excellent guidance to anyone on our team in need!” – Christy Collins
“Halley has played a crucial role in the department of surgery, section of otolaryngology. She has been with ENT for numerous years and shares her knowledge and patience with everyone she comes in contact with. If you have a question, you know she will always have an answer for you, or a way to solve a problem.” - Liz
Penny Riggione, Manager, Vascular Biology & Therapeutics Program “She does all of this and more. Penny goes above and beyond to help out wherever she can and whoever. She looks at no job as if it's beneath her. This is why I'm nominating Penny Riggione. She deserves it.” – Gwendolyn Davis-Arrington
“Penny is an excellent manager whose first question to us is "What can I do to help?". She is in the trenches with us when we need her. When we had overlapping liquid nitrogen and CO2 crises in the building back in February, she was right there with me at all hours trying to contain and solve the problem. She has excellent interpersonal skills and is great at building relationships with outside vendors. This helps us tremendously when we need those vendors. Since I have been here, it's hard to express how grateful I am for her support, advice, mentorship, help, and kindness to me and others. I'm glad she's here. She is the central magnet that holds this place together.” – Ti Badri
"Penny goes above and beyond helping colleagues in the Amistad building, even if they are not in her department. She is a doer and master coordinator. Without her taken up the baton on several recent instances then nothing would have happened to move situations forward. This includes building upgrades, conference room AV updates, security concerns, building access and custodial issues. She really cares about making sure the community is on track." – Dr. Allysia Matthews
“Penny is always willing to assist others. I have seen her manage many of the building's AV upgrades, as well as any issues that arise on a daily basis, she stays late when things need to accomplished. She is very friendly and always has time to say hello.” – Courtney Csech
“Penny DOES IT ALL! Financials, human resources, maintenance, housekeeping, procurement, broken equipment, missing deliveries for consumables, tanks leaking = call Penny, freezers not working = call Penny. She always goes above, beyond and backward for the folks here at Amistad. Our building would implode without her!” – Heather Hinckley
“I already submitted a nomination, but today Penny (again) goes above and beyond -even taking out the trash. Clearing out labs, so new faculty can move in.” – Heather Hinckley
“Penny is the life blood for the employees who occupy the building of 10 Amistad. There is nothing that happens facility wise or other that Penny does not handle. Flooding, toilets, elevators, nitrogen tanks, wi-fi, phones, you name it. Always available to handle any person's problems.” – Wendy Folsom