Aeza Hafalia Receives UHM Nursing STAR Award for Excellence
In early May 2014, UHM Nursing awarded the first Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Award for Excellence to Aeza Hafalia, M.Ed, the DNP and PhD Program Coordinator for her contributions to the School. Selection criteria included: consistently demonstrating excellence in the performance of their job responsibilities, exhibiting a superb and ongoing high level of service to their customers, producing the highest quality of work product, and performing a significant and exceptional role in the completion of a high impact project or initiative.
Aeza is credited with consistent dedication to the School over the past years, but most notably her involvement and impact during the recent Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program accreditation process, implementation of the NEXus Project, and “development and outstanding coordination efforts of the DNP and PhD programs.” The colleague who nominated her said “her humble and gentle attitude have contributed to a positive work environment,” noting that her ability to accomplish so much at work while raising a family was especially admirable.
UHM Nursing professional staff are integral to the success of the School’s efforts. They advise students, schedule classes, coordinate clinical placements, manage programs, and process all the paperwork required for payroll, purchasing, and event planning. To celebrate their contributions, the School created the UHM Nursing Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) program in 2014 to recognize staff who demonstrate the highest standards in their commitment to supporting our mission, vision and values. The intention is to create a year-round practice of thanking those who consistently demonstrate excellence in what they do for our School community.
Any student, faculty or staff member may submit nominations by sending an email to nursstar@hawaii.edu. The Dean will form a committee to review nominations against the abovementioned criteria. Once selected, the Office of the Dean will notify the supervisor of the employee so the award may be presented to the recipient. The awardee will be highlighted in the UHM Nursing News email and on the School’s website. Nominations are now being accepted. For questions, please contact Marla Acosta at nursstar@hawaii.edu.