White's
support of staff education earns SC nod
By Laurie
Mellas Ramirez
 |
| Geraldine
White, right, consults with Marie Chestnut, Internal Medicine.
Photo by Luke Frank. |
Geraldine
Jerry White, clinical department administrator II
in the Department of Internal Medicine, was recently honored
with the 2003 Staff Council Staff as Students Manager
Award.
The award
is bestowed annually to a manager who demonstrates initiative
in accommodating staff opportunities for education, training
and certification and/or licenses; commitment to continued opportunities;
and has creative and innovative ideas regarding access to educational,
training and licensure/certification opportunities.
A total
of 17 nominations were received this year, including two for
White. Staff Council committee members reviewed and scored
the entry forms.
Some 27
employees report to White. Her nominators wrote: Jerry
is a mentor and strong leader. She encourages staff to take
advanced classes to gain training and knowledge. She allows
time off with pay to take classes if not offered after regular
work hours [in accordance with UNM policy], and she provides
continued support in both professional and personal growth for
her staff.
Jerry
supports her staff in both career advancement through training
to achieve a management position and educational opportunities
to pursue degrees. She supports her staff with opportunities
for advancement through the Career Ladder Program and the Management
Academy. She believes in her staff and by providing educational
opportunities and training allows them to be better employees.
White said
that being a mentor is part of being a manager. She credits
her own mentors and being a mom as good training for the manager
she has become. She was at UNM from 1987-97 and returned
in 2001.
One
of my goals when I came back to UNM was to be a better listener.
I continue to work on this skill because it helps me to
understand what someone may need -- an encouraging word, a pat
on the back, White said. I feel that I have been
training my entire adult life for this job. It is one that I
love.
Another
of my goals is the hope that someone on my staff will want my
job when I retire. This wont happen unless my staff develop
skills in the areas of finance, management and administration.
Having a well-trained staff makes my job easier. I would hope
that all managers recognize the importance of training, mentoring
and having staff who are challenged in their work.