The Department of Global Health recently awarded its 2020 Outstanding Staff Award to Noura Youssoufa (Academic Advisor, MPH and Undergraduate Programs). Her role as Academic Advisor includes working with prospective MPH students – both in-person, online, and at conference recruitment events – as well as organizing Visit Days for all admitted graduate students in the department. Noura also serves as the Advisor for the Global Health minor and advises students in the Global Health, Global Injury and Violence Prevention, and HIV and STI certificates.

“Noura is exceptionally professional, cares deeply about her work, and consistently provides superior service in all her roles,” said Julie Brunett, who nominated Noura for the award. “She utilizes resourcefulness, innovation, and creativity while working to recruit students to the MPH program, and does an excellent job of connecting prospective students to current students. Noura brings an amazing amount of positive energy to discussions. She lights up the room when she walks in!”

Julie Brunett, the Program Manager for the MPH program, was also one of the nominees for the Outstanding Staff Award. Her nominator, Rebecca Namara, described her experience applying to the University of Washington and how Brunett helped, saying “When I sent emails to her office before I came to the US, Julie responded in such a simple yet clear and detailed way. That ability to connect to people through just an email is something I am grateful for. I was able to make an informed decision because of her. Julie is deeply interested in the well-being of students.”

John T. Fields, the Award Administrator for I-TECH, plays an integral role in I-TECH’s proposal and budget development process for large grants, handling half of the organization’s country portfolios. “John demonstrates creativity through his suggestions and advice on how to address challenges that may arise,” said his colleague and nominator Marisa Van Osdale. “He has an outstanding ability to maintain his workloads on top of the demanding proposal season, and will always find time to discuss a question or issue.”

Rachel Johnson, Managing Director of ICRC, was nominated for being “a highly effective manager and the glue that keeps ICRC together”. Rachel joined ICRC when it had just seven faculty, 25 staff, and five graduate student research assistants. During her tenue, ICRC has grown to 19 faculty, 50 staff, and over 20 graduate research assistants, with Rachel serving as the “pivot point”. “Every single day Rachel makes ICRC successful,” her nominator Jared Baeten said. “She demonstrates the highest level of leadership, integrity, and heart in her work.”

Andreas Keodara serves as the Graduate Advisor of the MPH program. He was nominated by a student, Diem Nguyen, who called him “incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, and respectful”. “Andreas deserves recognition for his outstanding, constant, and tireless behind-the-scene work to support students,” Nguyen said. “Andreas not only cares about students’ academic progress, but also their health and well-being. When I encounter challenges, Andreas always listens and provides thoughtful ideas.”

Alex McGee, the Managing Director for the department’s eDGH program, exemplifies quiet leadership while promoting a diverse and collaborative work environment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alex helped convert all DGH courses and several other services to online formats. “Alex has put in many long hours in assisting faculty, staff, and students with his unprecedented effort,” Judd Walson and Susan Graham said in their nomination. “He has communicated clearly and in a timely manner as both group-level and individual needs have been identified.”