Awards
David Catalano
David Catalano has been selected as the 2017 Employee of the Year for his dedication to the department and his role as Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Expert. David works effortlessly with all groups across campus and takes pride in his work. Responding to IAQ concerns and working with Facilities Services to determine the best corrective actions can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. Identifying corrective actions that are timely and economically viable is David’s main objective for every IAQ report. David accepts new assignments with willingness and pride and does not hesitate to support or volunteer. He consistently offers his support and time to department activities and can always be counted on. He emulates the mission and values of the organization every day and seeks to provide high customer service. He is a perfect example of the EHS mottos “Be All You Can Be” and “Strive Towards Excellence.”
History of the Award
The Employee of the Year of Award was started in 2000 in recognition of an employee who met the mission of the organization and whose performance went above the norm. Former director Peter Reinhardt initiated the award. Beginning that first year, a traveling trophy was created and represents the past and future as the base of the trophy is the base of a lamp in the office of the first director of the department, Don Willhoit. The recipient is chosen by the director and emulates the values of the organization.
Core Values of the Department
- Be a safe haven of trust, respect and open communication.
- Foster constructive debate when appropriate.
- Be a resource for new ideas and innovation.
- Establish state of the art EHS protocols & procedures.
- Utilize time and resources efficiently.
- Value and encourage individual growth and development.
- Collaborate and support each other through the twists and turns.
Twitter Handle
Emily Powell implemented and moderates the UNC Fire Safety Twitter handle (@UNCFireSafety). This is intended to reach a different audience and launch Fire Safety into the future.
Fluoroscopy Training Requirement as Part of Credentialing
Bradford Taylor worked with Dr. Matthew Mauro, chair of the Department of Radiology, to incorporate Fluoroscopy Training as a credentialing requirement. This requirement will go a long way in bringing patient dose up to par with patient care, implementing best-management practices in the imaging industry and elevating UNC’s respect with the Joint Commission.
Innovation Award
In 2010, the department instituted an Innovation Award in order to emphasize the department’s core values and to support innovation in environment, health and safety processes, education and customer service.
- Utilize time and resources efficiently.
- Be a resource for new ideas and innovation.
- Establish state of the art EHS protocols & procedures.
Qualifications for the Award
- Contribute to the improvement of the environment, health, or safety at UNC.
- Be in the form of process, education, customer service, communication, policy, structure, or method.
- Be applied.
- Be in some stage of the process of activation, but does not necessarily have to be completed.
- Have been identified and approved by EHS management before implementation can begin.
62nd Annual National Health Physics Society Meeting in Raleigh
Jonathan Moore, Mark Brueckner, Bradford Taylor, Steve Guarino, and Roger Sit
The EHS Radiation Safety office supported the North Carolina Health Physics Society’s local arrangement committee to host the 62nd Annual National Health Physics Society meeting in Raleigh. The team served on the program committee and the local arrangements committee to organize the technical program as well as the meeting at the Raleigh Convention Center. During the meeting, they served as proctors for multiple sessions and planned events.
Laboratory Safety Fair
Michael Burton, Steve Parker, Adam Swift, Jim Potts, Travis Wilson, Mike Novitsky
As a group, the team planned and implemented the Oct. 19, 2017, Laboratory Safety Fair. The goal of the fair was to enhance the safety culture at the University of North Carolina by focusing on UNC laboratory safety. This goal was accomplished by highlighting emerging safety technologies, facilitating hands-on training, and distributing information through exhibition tables and professional presentations. In addition, frequently asked questions were addressed to a large targeted audience.
High Containment Laboratory Shutdown
Environment, Health & Safety
- Jessica Poole
- Erika England
- Mary Beth Koza
- Chad Pleasants
- Zach Blanchard
Department of Epidemiology
- Amy Sims, Associate Professor
- Ralph Baric, Professor
Facilities
- William Robertson
- Artie Neese
- Lane Adams
- Rod Rabold
- Kyle Shelley
EHS, the Baric Lab and Facilities Services worked collaboratively in a highly orchestrated process to successfully perform decontamination procedures, shutdown, necessary maintenance while returning the lab online in two weeks. Strong teamwork by all parties allowed the lab to return to full operational activities with minimal disruption.
Collaboration Award
In 2010, the department instituted a Collaboraton Award in order to emphasize the department’s core values and to support the attribute of collaboration among EHS employees and between EHS employees and other University employees (or other groups or organizations).
EHS Core Values & Collaboration
- Value and encourage individual growth and development.
- Collaborate and support each other through the twists and turns.
- Be a safe haven of trust, respect, and open communication.
- Foster constructive debate when appropriate.
Qualifications for the Award
The recipient must exhibit outstanding contribution to collaboration by fulfilling one or more of the following attributes:
- Agreement about objectives;
- Respect for specialist expertise of another person;
- Joint working, shared effort, shared responsibilities;
- Blurring of professional boundaries (no use of rank in process);
- Open and transparent lines of communication within groups and between people;
- Behavior that instills confidence and respect for others;
- Open and full discussions of all issues (no shortchanging of another person’s idea); and,
- Empathy for others.