Hygienic Laboratory staff and friends gathered for the annual Reward and Recognition Ceremony on April 19 to celebrate outstanding staff achievements for the past year. The event was held in the Coralville lab's Center for the Advancement of Laboratory Science. The Ankeny laboratory celebration is planned for May 18.

Nancy Hall, who has worked for the Hygienic Laboratory for 40 years, poses with State Hygienic Laboratory Director Chris Atchison during award ceremonies.

Rich Hichwa, University of Iowa senior associate vice president for Research, was the keynote speaker, and highlighted some of the staff's accomplishments, including many of last year's research and development activities. "It's all about your commitment," Hichwa said. "We are very appreciative of it, not only in the Office of the Vice President of Research, but in the state and beyond."

In addition to distinguished professional accomplishments and going well beyond job expectations, several staff members received awards for length of service to the State Hygienic Laboratory, the University of Iowa and the state of Iowa. Nancy Hall, Environmental Microbiology program manager, topped the longevity list with 40 years of service.

State Hygienic Laboratory Awards

Director Christopher Atchison presented the William J. Hausler Achievement in Leadership Award to Stan Berberich, director of the Office of Genomics. This award, named for a long-time former director, is given in honor of a lifetime of excellence in laboratory practice and commitment to improving public health in Iowa and in the nation. Winners must be current and/or former Hygienic Laboratory employees whose professional activities have a far reaching, positive impact.

Berberich has led many Newborn Screening initiatives that were the first in the nation, that later were adopted by other states, including often life-saving timeliness of testing. He has worked for the Hygienic Laboratory for 25 years. As have earlier awardees, Berberich will later present a talk about his work.

The Duncan Walker Award has been given since 2006 to staff members who epitomize the qualities of Duncan Walker, including commitment, integrity, sincerity and a respect for diversity. Walker worked in the Hygienic Laboratory's Des Moines facility (now located in Ankeny) from 1998 to 2003.

Lee Friell, former Ankeny manager, said that Duncan was known for his infectious smile and willingness to help people, whether clients, colleagues or acquaintances. This year, the Coralville award was given to Mike Birmingham, environmental supervisor in the Limnology section. His nomination by Deb Bryant, clerk, specifically mentioned Birmingham's work with DNR's Project A.W.A.R.E. and his continuing work with the environmental education of school children.

The Gene Ronald Award recognizing the outstanding intern, fellow, grad assistant or student employee was given to Mariah Knutson for her work on the FIFRA project in the summer of 2016. Besides performing her regular duties in Sample Accessioning, she volunteered to assist Sample Prep with the program's high volume of testing.

The Applause, Applause award was given to 58 staff members to recognize work that improves workforce relationships, customer satisfaction and day-to-day operations, or expands subject matter expertise.

The Lapel Pin Award, given at the discretion of the director, associate directors or the Ankeny manager, recognizes performance above and beyond expectations that aligns with Hygienic Laboratory strategic goals and/or values. This year, 79 pins were distributed. A Gold Star is the equivalent of 5 Lapel Pins; Terry Cain, Jennifer Elwood, Drew Fayram, Ryan Jepson, Alyssa Mattson and Steve Treimer received Gold Stars.

The Continuous Quality Improvement Award "recognizes improvement in a process or completion of a major project." Carol Adamson was given it both individually for her work on overall improvement in processes at the laboratory, and as part of a group award with Beth Hochstedler, Amanda Hughes, Lorelei Kurimski and Pam Mollenhauer for establishing the Quarter Century Club and its first staff reunion during fall 2016.

University of Iowa Awards

The University of Iowa awarded 16 SHL scientists for their work last year. The UI-SPOT Award recognizes the performance of a "single inspired event." Recipients included: Jeff Benfer, Michael Hayek, Gina Kline, David Larabee-Zierath, Cathy Lord, Josh Mara, Steve Treimer and Eric Twait. Events that they performed included weekend work to quickly identify Salmonella specimens or to deal with a client's last minute changes; working with the FIFRA program, the nitrate testing program and the private well grants-to-counties program; and work with OpenELIS training.

The UI-Exceptional Performance Awards are given to honor sustained efforts that not only meet certain Hygienic Laboratory and UI criteria, but "go above and beyond" job expectations. The recipients of this award were Amanda Carl, Karen Ciesielski, Stephany Cochran, Kris Eveland, Todd Hubbard, Alyssa Mattson, Dustin May and Lindsey Tirado. Nominations for these awards emphasized the following: "more quickly than anyone could have hoped;" "exceptional work ethic, strong commitment to customer satisfaction;" "long term dedication to the discipline;" "many hours of time outside of bench work;" and "continuous outstanding performance."

Coralville Longevity Awards:

5 years: Carol Adamson, Chris Anderson, Beth Cawiezell, Dan Ellickson, Jennifer Elwood, Travis Henry

10 years: Rick Bonar, Amanda Carl, Shari Heick, Alankar Kampoowale, Matt Mainprize

15 years: Bill Christensen, Lucy DesJardin, Steve Masbruch, Mark Pendergast

20 years: Becky Teske

25 years: Stan Berberich, Rhonda Drayfahl, Todd Hubbard, Pam Lenz

30 years: Kathy Fait, Barb Shirazi

40 years: Nancy Hall