  |
| HOME | THIS ISSUE | CALENDAR | GRANTS | BACK ISSUES | < BACK | NEXT > |
Health Center’s latest 'Husky Hero' lauded for work ethicby Pat Keefe - February 21, 2006 |
||||
|
Thomas Elliott, director of buildings and grounds in Facilities Management, is the Health Center’s newest Husky Hero. The recommendations from colleagues and co-workers come only in superlatives and tell the story: “Thomas Elliott is my idea of a stellar employee with an outstanding work ethic,” said Candace Pettigrew, a nurse working in Patient Safety. “He’s a leader among us, and a pillar of the institution.” Kathleen Wiggins, a supervisor in Anatomic Pathology, said, “Tom’s motto is: ‘There’s no time like the present … let’s just get it done now.’ He works very hard to meet the expectations of our patients and internal customers. He is a no-nonsense kind of guy with a great work ethic.” Sandy Kressner, an education and development specialist in Human Resources, said, “Every day of the week he goes above and beyond the call of duty to serve his customers.” It takes four PAWS awards – Part of a team; Awesome attitude; Wonderful work ethic; Superior service – to earn the designation of Husky Hero, the Health Center’s version of the Medal of Honor. “I can’t begin to acknowledge the work and dedication that Tom brings to the institution,” said Anne Horbatuck, director of Signature Programs. “He takes pride in his work and the people he works with, and it shows.” A former Marriott Corp. service manager in the health care field, Elliott holds a degree in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Massachusetts. His tasks at the Health Center are wide-ranging. He’s responsible for the grounds, including landscape maintenance, lawn care, and snow removal not just at the Farmington campus, but also at the new administrative offices in the former Heublein Building on Munson Road and at the UConn Health Partners clinics in East Hartford and West Hartford.
He coordinates services at all locations; he has administrative duties in Facilities Management; and he’s in charge of housekeeping throughout the system. He also is responsible for linen for inpatient and outpatient services, and general maintenance system-wide. He’s been at the Health Center for seven years, a term interrupted by a two-year stint in Storrs in charge of buildings and grounds before returning to Farmington. “Tom is a thoroughgoing professional who has a great sense of attention to detail while focusing on the customer first,” said Daniel J. Penney, associate vice president for facilities management. “He’s great at making accommodations, and he’s able to cope with the unexpected, which – in the service industry – is a very valuable asset.” Elliott, a native of Canton, is modest about his work and his accomplishments. “I feel honored to be recognized by the people I work with every day,” he says. “My work is challenging, and I’m lucky enough to be involved in a variety of projects and committees with lots of people who care deeply about the institution.” |
| ADVANCE HOME UCONN HOME |