Winners of College’s 2025 Staff Excellence Awards Named
| In April, the College of Health Professions announced the recipients of the 2025 Staff Excellence Awards. Gloria Johnson, executive assistant in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, was the recipient of the Excellence in Customer Service Award. Carrie Hamblin, administrative coordinator in the Department of Occupational Therapy, was the recipient of the Excellence in Performance Award.
Candidates for both awards may be nominated by students, staff, alumni, or faculty members.
Jessica Stahulak, MHA, associate dean of administration in the College of Health Professions, left, presents the award to Gloria Johnson.
One of Johnson’s nominators wrote: “Ms. Gloria Johnson is the embodiment of excellence in customer service, and her 29 years of dedicated service to UAMS and CHP make her an ideal candidate for the Excellence in Customer Service Award. Gloria plays a pivotal role in supporting approximately 1,200 students in Medical Laboratory Science and Cytology. Her organizational expertise, unwavering reliability, and proactive approach are integral to the department’s success, ensuring that everyone receives the support they need.”
The award recognizes the staff member whose significant contributions through service to its customers are instrumental in achieving the UAMS mission. Excellence in Customer Service is centered around four components – confidentiality, courtesy, concern, and competence.
Another nominator wrote: “I see Gloria as the oil that keeps the department’s engine running. She manages a wide range of tasks, from coordinating schedules to meeting critical deadlines, all while maintaining a positive attitude. Her ability to handle unexpected challenges with grace and efficiency ensures that operations run seamlessly. Gloria’s dedication extends beyond her administrative duties; she consistently goes above and beyond to create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone she interacts with, whether they are students, faculty, colleagues, or external partners. I can always count on Gloria getting things done.”
The College of Health Professions’ Excellence in Performance Award honors the staff member whose significant contributions through individual and team effort are instrumental in achieving the UAMS mission, and who best exemplifies the university’s core values.
Kandy Salter, OTD, program director in the Department of Occupational Therapy, presents the college’s Excellence in Performance Award to Carrie Hamblin.
About Hamblin, one nominator stated: “When I think of someone who embodies excellence and exemplifies the core values of UAMS, Carrie Hamblin immediately comes to mind. Her dedication and commitment have positively impacted the Occupational Therapy Department’s students, faculty, and staff. Whether she is guiding students through the application process, assisting with program requirements, or managing fieldwork placements nationwide, Carrie approaches every challenge with grace, patience, and an unwavering commitment to service.”
One nominator described how Hamblin’s efforts foster a positive learning environment and how she gives individualized attention to each student.
They stated, “Carrie’s respect for others is evident in her genuine concern for the well-being of everyone she interacts with. She listens attentively, remembers small details, and helps create a sense of community in an environment that can often lead to stress and anxiety. Her compassionate approach promotes teamwork, as she actively collaborates with others to find solutions to challenges, always prioritizing unity within the department. She creates an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, significantly enhancing the collaborative spirit that drives the program’s success. Carrie’s creativity stands out in her ability to solve problems and support students, faculty, and staff to reach their goals.”