The WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Science gathered on Saturday, May 30, for its annual Staff Appreciation Party at 9 Mile Garden. The event brought together faculty, staff, trainees, and their families for a morning of celebration, recognition, and community.
P. Kumar Rao, MD, MBA and Aaron Y Lee, MD, MSCI welcomed attendees and thanked faculty and staff for their dedication and contributions throughout the year. Additional remarks were shared by Andrew Lee, MD, Carla Siegfried, MD, and Todd Margolis, MD, PhD, who reflected on the department’s accomplishments and the collaborative spirit that drives excellence in patient care, education, and research.
A special highlight of the event was the celebration of Todd Margolis’ retirement. Colleagues recognized his distinguished career, dedication to advancing ophthalmology, commitment to mentoring trainees and faculty, and the lasting impact he has made on the department and the broader vision science community.
The gathering also included the presentation of departmental awards recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions over the past year.
Award Recipients
The People’s Choice Award – The employee chosen by their peers who exhibits trust, friendship, reliability, loyalty, and kindness
- Nicole Weis
- Sarah Vuichard
- Sarah Lee
- Tracey Schulz
Stand-out Performer – The employee who constantly gives their best at work.
- Dawn Vishy
- Kelli Barton
Office Bestie Award – The person who knows everyone, even newbies.
- Paige McBroom
- Marin Woronets
- Andrew R. Lee, MD
Rookie Rockstar – For top performing new hires.
- Arwa Khalaf
- Sanjana Shashidhar, OD
Best Team Player – This employee displays extraordinary integrity and generosity towards their team members.
- Jenna Banks
- Adrian Harter
- Stephanie Messmann
Bright Idea Award – Always comes up with a great idea just when the chips are down!
- Jami Dressler
- Amy Swarthout
Unsung Hero Award – Honoring individuals whose contributions may often go unnoticed but have a significant impact.
- Jenn Williams
- Jaime Hilecher
- Benny Davis
Patient Whisperer – The employee who offers the best patient care.
- Rakesh Patel
- Gabe Burton, OD
Pinnacle Performer – For employees at the top of their game, slayers of deadlines, and are the best at what they do.
- Nichole Reichert
- Tasha Scott
Playground Award – Most likely to make work fun.
- Evan Lee
- Gentry Herlitz
- Fabian Linton
- Phil Williams, PhD
Helping Hands Award – The team member who is always willing to help.
- Maria Hernandez
- Anna Dykgreve
- Ashley Duggan
- Jenna Krizan
Bubbles Award – For always having a bubbly and enthusiastic personality/ perspective.
- Madison Sigler
- Christine Buckley
- Theresa Milo
Creative Genius Award – This team member consistently comes up with innovative solutions, ideas, or approaches to challenges.
- Katy Paglusch
Collaboration Champion – This team member excels at fostering collaboration and teamwork, bringing people together and building strong working relationships.
- Nikki Holmer
Adaptability Ace Award – This team member has shown exceptional adaptability and resilience, demonstrating flexibility and a positive attitude in the face of change.
- Kelly VanDyke
Code Red Award – The person you can always go to in a panic because they can fix any situation!
- Alex Held
Interdisciplinary Integrator – Celebrating researchers who bridge gaps between different fields of study, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Steven Bassnett, PhD
Lab Safety Superstar – Acknowledging individuals who prioritize safety protocols and ensure a safe working environment for themselves and their colleagues.
- Ying Liu
The department extends its congratulations to all award recipients and its sincere appreciation to every faculty and staff member whose contributions continue to strengthen the department’s mission of improving vision through exceptional patient care, innovative research, and outstanding education.