2021 – Staff recognized for dedication to the college

Collage of award winners.

The College of Veterinary Medicine recently recognized staff who have excelled in the performance of their duties, promoted teamwork, and inspired excellence in others at the College’s Outstanding Staff Recognition Awards.

Award-winners are nominated by their department and selected by an advisory committee.

Individual Awards

  • Carolyn Emerson-Farr, coordinator for the Center for Reproductive Biology
  • School of Molecular Biosciences Grant Manager Emilie Cousins
  • MRI Veterinary Technician Holly Cummings
  • ICU Veterinary Technician Supervisor Ciara Riddle
  • CT Veterinary TechnicianRob Smith received the College’s individual awards.

Team Award

  • The College’s Center for Reproductive Biology was recognized.

Carolyn Emerson-Farr, a staple of the Center for Reproductive Biology since its inception, was recognized for her resourcefulness when issues arise.

“She is always ready for a quick phone call or impromptu meetings. She always has a positive attitude. If we ever have an issue, she will view it as a learning experience,” the center’s director, Joy Winuthayanon, wrote in her nomination letter for Emerson-Farr.

Winuthayanon added that Emerson-Farr has been critical in helping her to transition into her director role.

“I appreciate when she provides perspectives that I, the newcomer, often neglect or am unaware of,” Winuthayanon wrote. “Her smile makes me feel welcome and encouraged to communicate.”

Emilie Cousins was nominated by Laurilee Kramer, Patricia Hunt, and Terry Hassold for her efforts as the grants manager for the School of Molecular Biosciences.

“Emilie has mastered the complexities of pre-and post-award management, not only relieving the administrative burden on faculty, but becoming a highly skilled campus expert,” her nominators wrote. “Her precision and efficiency in preparing and submitting research proposals is an important factor in the funding success rate of the school.”

Cousins was also recognized for her stress-free attitude.

“Her job is stressful when deadlines loom, but she never loses her composure. She is a gifted administrator and her contributions as a member of the School of Molecular Biosciences administrative team are invaluable.”

Holly Cummings, a licensed veterinary technician for the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital MRI, is most known for her positive attitude and on-the-job learning.

She was nominated by her colleagues from the radiology department, largely for that ambitious attitude and her role in advancing patient care.

“She is willing and eager to provide cutting edge techniques tailored to the special needs of all of our hospital patients, be they dogs, cats, horses, or more exotic critters such as bears or birds of prey,” her colleagues wrote in their nomination letter.

Since taking her job as the Intensive Care Unit veterinary technician supervisor, Ciara Riddle has had a positive impact on her technicians and their morale.

“She builds them up and makes sure they get the time off they deserve. Even if this means she is here late, working an overnight shift, or being on call during a busy weekend in the ICU,” Denise Waiting, Riddle’s nominator, wrote in her nomination letter.

“She works closely with house officers and clinicians to help improve the communication in the hospital and within the ICU team.”

Known affectionately as “CT Rob,” Rob Smith is the cornerstone of WSU’s computed tomography (CT) service. Smith is the go-to person for CT examinations and is highly efficient in managing his area, as he occasionally sees as many as 10 patients per day.

“His efficiency has allowed the caseload to grow to its present state of around 1,000 cases per annum,” Smith’s nominators from the radiology team wrote in his nomination.

Smith does it all while providing the utmost care for the animals that enter the CT.

“Rob cares deeply about his patients and never lets a patient leave the CT room without making sure they are comfortably positioned first, often with a towel ‘pillow’ under their head.” 

Center for Reproductive Biology core staff Miranda Bernhardt, Angie Broadbent, Lisette Maddison, Deqiang Miao, and Melissa Oatley were recognized with this year’s group award.

Associate Professor Kanako Hayashi nominated the group, which she says is unlike any other research core she has worked with and is quick to adapt to new research techniques.

“Even though techniques need to be modified, they are willing to learn new things,” Hayashi wrote. “They work together to ensure we achieve what we need from our research projects. They don’t make limitations for their services.”