This month we honor our Spirit Award winners. Although our ceremony and a portion
of the celebration of these outstanding individuals is virtual this year, their achievements
and service to Texas Tech Physicians are felt greatly throughout our practice--especially
during the difficult year we have just experienced.
These days it is more important than ever to step up and go “beyond service,” as our
patients need increased communication from us, new ways to receive care and to receive
accurate information about the novel virus which we are fighting. Our TTUHSC family
has also needed support from within, as we have seen illness sweep across our organization,
lost team members, family members of team members, and had to adjust to our new “normal,”
both in our professional and personal lives. So, while all have experienced the negative
effects of COVID-19 in some way, it is important to find and applaud the good things
that did occur in 2020. Our Spirit Award winners are a few elite members of our team
who we, as a group, have chosen to recognize because of their ability to exceed expectations
and go the extra mile in their job.
The 2020 Spirit Awards winners are:
Kindhearted: Renee Garcia, Family Nurse Practitioner in Internal Medicine
Visionary: Brett Swett, MPIP Business Office Director
Integrity: Matt Driskill, Senior Clinical Administrator of Surgery
Beyond Service: Dr. David Edwards, Medical Director of Student Health
One Team: Jonathan Suiter, Internal Medicine Senior Patient Services Specialist
Overall Spirit Award: Kelsey Marks, Assistant to the Chair of Internal Medicine
I was honored to take part in virtually recognizing our winners and to have the opportunity
to highlight some of the wonderful things they did to make the Health Sciences Center
a better place. These accomplishments included rapid telemedicine setup and delivery
to patients by Jonathan Suiter; Personal Protective Equipment procurement throughout
the pandemic by Matt Driskill; Brett Swett’s innovative ideas to run our Business
Office more efficiently; Dr. David Edwards’ passion for keeping staff and TTU students
safe throughout the pandemic; Renee Garcia’s positive energy and can-do attitude that
inspires her team; and Kelsey Marks’ dedication to her department and hard work on
various HSC committees.
Please join me in extending our sincerest congratulations to our six winners who truly
embody our values and set an example for all. We are better because of them.
2020 Spirit Award Winners
