Recognition and Service Awards Ceremony Held for 2021 Recipients
If we’ve learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s to be flexible, patient, and expect the unexpected. On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, those principles were put into practice when human resources hosted its recognition and service awards ceremony for the 112 individuals whose milestone anniversaries and recognition for excellent service was sidelined last December because of an outbreak of COVID-19 that required greater caution concerning gatherings on campus.
![Cassandra Jean-Baptiste, Einstein new director of employee relations, served as the event emcee, offering trivia from each of the years for which honorees began their careers at Einstein.]()
Cassandra Jean-Baptiste, Einstein new director of employee relations, served as the event emcee, offering trivia from each of the years for which honorees began their careers at Einstein.
“We had to recognize everyone virtually in 2020 but had hoped to be able to return to a live event for 2021,” recalled Yvonne Ramirez, vice president of human resources and Einstein’s Title IX coordinator. “When we had to postpone the 2021 event, we were determined to find a way to hold the ceremony in person.”
While circumstances of the ongoing pandemic required only those being honored and those involved in putting on the ceremony attend, the event was livestreamed to allow colleagues to watch in real time and join the celebration from afar. Employees also were invited to join the celebratory mood of the day by coming to the Forchheimer lobby where they could get special treats prior to the event.
![Edward R. Burns, M.D.,Einstein’s much-beloved executive dean, was recognized for 45 years of service to the College of Medicine. That doesn’t include his four years as an Einstein student in the class of 1976..]()
Edward R. Burns, M.D.,Einstein’s much-beloved executive dean, was recognized for 45 years of service to the College of Medicine. That doesn’t include his four years as an Einstein student in the class of 1976.
Einstein’s new employee relations director Cassandra Jean-Baptiste served as emcee, calling out award recipients recognized for excellence in service, innovation, and safety, as well as offering memorable trivia from the years in which those with milestone anniversaries began their careers at the College of Medicine—2016, 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, and 1981, respectively. Honorees from each milestone year posed for photos with Drs. Edward R. Burns, executive dean, Gordon F. Tomaselli, the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean, and Philip O. Ozuah, president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine.
Dr. Ozuah also offered his thanks to all for their dedication and service, and Dr. Tomaselli made a special presentation to Dr. Burns, who was marking his 40th anniversary at the College of Medicine.
“I am so fortunate that my service at Einstein allowed me to circumvent the work-life balance difficulties that affect most families,” said Dr. Burns, who was surprised by the special gifts bestowed on him and the presence of his wife, son Judah (class of 2003 and chief of neurosurgery at Montefiore), daughter-in-law Ariella (a nurse at Weiler), and son-in-law Israel. “Instead of having a family at home to care for and worry about, then commuting to join work colleagues during the day, I have my away-from-home family at Einstein plus my home family. I love them both.”
Whether or not you were able to attend, you can view a listing of all award recipients and recognition honorees and watch a recording of the livestream.
Posted on: Thursday, September 08, 2022