Pictured (l-r): Anna Hoffmeyer, Dr. Michael R. Kororok, Debbie Quach, Kwan Jung, and Joy Kloetzer. Not pictured: Tania Osborn. Photo: Dr. Haibo Zhou

On Tuesday, May 12, the Department of Biostatistics held its annual staff appreciation and awards ceremony. Anna Hoffmeyer, head calling-room supervisor for the Survey Research Unit; Kwan Jung, applications specialist for the UNC Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center; Joy Kloetzer, calling room supervisor for the Survey Research Unit; and Tania Osborn, administrative assistant with the Department of Biostatistics, all received distinction as 2009 Star Heels. 

Debbie Quach, accounting technician, was presented the Staff Award of Excellence by Dr. Michael R. Kosorok, Chair and Professor of Biostatistics.  Debbie exemplifies on a daily basis the criteria for this award, namely teamwork, creativity, a positive attitude, enthusiasm, productivity, and flexibility.  Debbie joined the department in June 2005 as an accounting technician in the BIOS fiscal office.  Despite not having any previous University experience, she has become very knowledgeable about contract and grant expenditure rules and procedures, is a good steward for federal and state funds, and is well informed about University travel regulations and general finance rules.  This is very important for a department with $18 million in annual expenditures.   Debbie is enthusiastic about assisting anyone who needs help as well as accepting new responsibilities.  She has taken the time to teach other accounting technicians in the School of Public Health about the MIS system that we use for our departmental accounting, and is always ready to assist the other accounting staff in our department.  We feel very fortunate to have Debbie on our staff and are pleased to honor her with the Staff Excellence Award.