Valubility of the Month: October/November 2019
December 3, 2019 • valubility, VOTM
Tina Machu, UNT System College of Pharmacy
Institutional memory is an asset exemplified by Tina Machu, PhD, Senior Associate Dean, UNT System College of Pharmacy. During her more than 16 years at UNTHSC — beginning in the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, then as a founding leader of the College of Pharmacy in 2011 — she has put her deep knowledge of our history and practices to work in serving others and keeping the university visionary.
Her nominator says, “As a new dean coming to the College of Pharmacy, I feel very fortunate to have had Dr. Machu’s help in transitioning to my role and am grateful to her for all her help and wisdom she has provided me along the way.”
In addition to her lengthy distinguished career at UNTHSC, during the past year she:
- took on the interim deanship of the College of Pharmacy when the previous dean was appointed Provost
- provided guidance and leadership through our self-study process and our focused accreditation site visit by the American Council for Pharmacy Education
- helped create a dual-degree program in PharmD/MPH
- planned and executed our 2019 budgetary process with our CFO
- kept the new dean informed after his selection and transitioned him seamlessly into his new role.
At the same time, Machu fulfilled her academic role overseeing student affairs and assessment and student advising, maintained a significant teaching load, and coordinated a broad range of pharmacology courses.
Her nominator says, “There is no doubt in my mind that Dr. Machu was the glue that held everything together during a very busy time for our college.” Nominator: Suresh Madhavan
Michael Rupp, Family Medicine
Doing more than is asked of him is how Medical Assistant Michael Rupp rolls.
He pitches in at the Family Medicine front desk, checking patients in or out. He helps verify insurance when the workload is heavy. When a clinic on another floor, or the Seminary Clinic, is short-handed and needs a medical assistant, “our supervisor knows she can count on Michael to be a team player and help out,” says one of Rupp’s nominators.
If referrals are backed up, he gets the team caught up. Rupp contributes new ideas to improve the work flow. He’s also the person his teammates call on if they have computer issues.
A nominator describes him as a natural leader who never hesitates to take charge and help a team member or a patient. He remembers teammates’ birthdays and decorates their desks. He has given a co-worker rides to work so they arrived on time. When the clinic transitioned to Phreesia software, he was quick to help patients learn to use it to check in.
Says a nominator, “Recently an optometrist came to UNT Health, and Michael was the first one to offer to help with the clinic and was willing to learn new processes on how to help with that clinic. Michael is one of a kind, and we are lucky to have him working here!”
Nominators: Colleen Williams, Gina Esparza and Candice Davis
Kori Wilson – Pediatrics
A new team member sings praises for Senior Administrative Coordinator Kori Wilson. “As a new employee, Kori has walked me through several avenues so I can maneuver through the systems at UNTHSC. Kori is a very good teacher,” says her nominator.
In her work with the Healthy Start and Building Bridges grants, Kori puts in exceptional effort to make sure all her tasks are completed on time and with top quality. Her nominator notes that Wilson “has a high moral standard and is willing to do what is needed to aid others. It is never about Kori; it is about doing what is morally and ethically sound on a daily basis.”
Even when she disagrees with others, she communicates respectfully and listens to others’ points of view before voicing her thoughts.
An example of Wilson’s willingness to go beyond the call of duty occurred when her department moved from the Health Pavilion to a house off Modlin and Haskell streets. Wilson took on the role of project manager. Not only did she oversee the move in addition to her usual work, she made exceptional efforts to ensure all the necessary items arrived where they were needed. “She did a wonderful job at this task,” her nominator says.
Nominator: Meredith Fogleman
Lorena Marin – TCOM Admissions and Outreach (JAMP)
Admissions Assistant Director Lorena Marin’s special passion is the Joint Admission Medical Program, created by the Texas Legislature to support and encourage highly qualified, economically disadvantaged students pursuing a medical education.
Over three years, Marin has worked ceaselessly to increase understanding and appreciation of TCOM’s JAMP students. Says her nominator, “The JAMP students are more fully integrated into the learning communities, laying the foundation for continued growth and success.”
She takes the time to connect one-on-one with each of the students she mentors and is always available to help despite her extremely busy schedule. She goes out of her way to touch base with students regularly, goes out to lunches with them, does check-ins and connects students with campus resources based on staff and faculty feedback.
Marin shares her insights into strengthening areas where she feels herself lacking, says her nominator, creating trust so that others can be open. “She gives the utmost respect to every student she works with,” her nominator says.
Campus resources such as the Center for Academic Performance and student organizations have a huge advocate in Marin. She encourages students to reach out to people there, and in other areas, who can assist them.
Says her nominator, “She is never without a new, exciting idea.”
Nominator: Alyssa Wilder
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