Recognition

Recognizing Inspirational Superior Effort (RISE)

RISE is Wertheim Medicine's recognition program honoring the exceptional contributions of full-time and part-time administrative and staff employees. Designated to celebrate, motivate and reward outstanding performance, the program highlights excellence across the college.

Employees are recognized in three categories: Teamwork, Service Excellence and Extra Mile. Nominations can be submitted by FIU Medicine employees and students.

2024 Award Recipients

Eighteen exceptional employees were selected from 86 nominations as the 2024 RISE Award recipients. The winners were announced at our annual holiday event. Congratulations to this year’s winners:

Teamwork

This category recognizes teams that foster collaborative relationships across departments, successfully complete impactful projects and demonstrate respect for others. Each winner received a $500 Recognition Award, RISE merchandise and a Wertheim Medicine embroidered shirt.

Team One

Finance & Administration Team

Isabella Beovides, Matthew Inclan, Johanna Diaz, Adrian Rodriguez

Team Two

Clinical Affairs

Ferinelys Cabrera, Mariel Gutierrez, Julia Perez, Michael Vega, Karla Heredia Quincoces

Service Excellence

This category recognizes employees who provide exceptional assistance, build relationships that address customer needs and resolve concerns professionally and effectively. Each winner received a $500 Recognition Award, RISE merchandise and a Wertheim Medicine embroidered shirt.

Ramiro Acosta
IT Assistant Director

Irene Delano
Director Administrative Services Student Affairs

Melanie Rojas
Financial Aid Manager

Jonathan Duncan
Manager
Instructional Technology Administrator

William Pulido
Sr. Behavioral Health Care Coordinator

Carla Marquez
Coordinator of Administrative Services

Extra Mile

This category was designed to recognize employees that perform above and beyond their regular responsibilities and make significant contributions that positively impact the college's mission. Each winner received a $1200 Recognition Award, RISE merchandise and a Wertheim Medicine embroidered shirt.

Michael Degregorio
Senior Executive Assistant

Valeria Raventos
Associate Director of Academic Support Services

Juan Matos
Clinical IT Field Analyst II

  • 2023 Winners

     

    Teamwork

    Team One

    IT Team

    Ramiro Acosta, Ariel Vecino, Gerardo Espinosa, Thomas (Trey) Stein, Graham Spenceley, Nathaniel Haddock, Ismael Aguilera, Juan Matos, Michael Stettner, Joshua Ramos, Daniel Suarez

    Team Two

    Professional Medicine Coordinator Team

    Alejandra Cruz, Kirstie Downs, Eduardo Garcia

    Service Excellence

    Elizabeth Ponce De Junco
    Senior Coordinator of Administrative Services
    Basic Sciences

    Ileana Perdomo
    Office Coordinator
    Medical Library 

    Kaitlin Albers
    Coordinator of Administrative Services
    Master in Physician Assistant Studies Program (MPAS)

    Lletielth Aleman
    Program Manager
    Academic Affairs

    Maria Fernanda Barbaran
    College Recruiter II
    Student Affairs

    Prasad Bhoite
    Data Scientist
    NeighborhoodHelp

    Extra Mile

    Andrea Matamoros
    Senior Program Coordinator
    Academic Affairs

    Juliet Bello
    Senior Coordinator of Administrative Services
    Faculty Affairs

    Marquita Samuels
    Assistant Director of Academic Support Services
    Academic Affairs

  • 2022 Winners

     

    Teamwork

    Team One

    Clinical Affairs Team

    Maryam Shakir, Laura Almaguer, Tania Godoy and Gisella Dominguez

    Team Two

    Financial Operations Team

    Maria Pineda, Ashely Gordon, Johanna Diaz, Tony Cisneros and Stefanie Perez

    Service Excellence

    Alberto Diaz
    Director of Financial Aid
    Student Affairs

    Fadoua Belmekki
    Manager of Patient Client Access
    Humanities, Health and Society

    Jose Seguias
    Clinical IT Field Analyst III
    Master in Physician Assistant Studies Program

    Natalie Dwarika
    Assistant Director of Academic Support Services
    Academic Affairs

    Ricardo Canelon
    Clinical IT Field Analyst III
    Master in Physician Assistant Studies Program

    Tyler Ortiz
    Clerkship Coordinator
    Academic Affairs

    Extra Mile

    Brittany Cooke
    Program Manager
    Student Affairs

    Lorraine Nowakowski
    Director of Clinical Operations
    Humanities, Health and Society

    Thomas Stein
    Clinical IT Field Analyst II
    Finance and Administration

  • 2021 Winners

    Teamwork

    Team One

    Mobile Health Center Team

    Gabriella Gonzalez, Kassandra Grass, Laura Musser, Maria Martinez, Olga Nunez and Yuriy Maltsev

    Team Two

    Behavioral Health Integration Team

    Lailah Johnson, Leiann Palma, Lisa Lee and Priscilla Chaves

    Service Excellence

    Elisama Nunez
    Patient Client Access Manager
    HCN Faculty Group Practice

    Leonardo Carbajo
    Financial Aid Officer I
    Student Affairs

    Marissa Miles
    Senior Director of Enrollment Services
    Student Affairs

    Ramiro Acosta
    IT Assistant Director
    Finance & Administration

    Virama Oller
    Program Director
    Humanities, Health and Society

    Yuriy Maltsev
    Paramedic
    Humanities, Health and Society

    Extra Mile

    Jonathon Duncan
    Lead Instructional Technology Administrator
    Finance & Administration

    Lynnette Alonso-Capote
    Manager of Administrative Services
    Master in Physician Assistant Studies Program

    Thomas (Trey) Stein
    AV Engineer I
    Student Affairs