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Articles from prior issues of The Advocate
November/December 1998
Awards Presented at the Annual Luncheon
by Mimi Wirtanen, Award Chair
| THOSE WHO ATTENDED THE AWARDS Luncheon
at the NADE National Training Conference in Rapid City were treated to
a lively, hilarious presentation by TRASH (Truly Rational and Sane Humans).
This group entertained the crowd with their musical review derived from
the assorted absurdities of modern medicine. Many nominations were received
for the awards this year and after a lot of hard work by the Awards Committee,
the following individuals were honored.
LESLIE HENDREN was presented with the Charles O. Blalock Award in recognition of her extended efforts and major contributions toward the organizational advancement of NADE.Ms. Hendren has held office and chaired numerous committees at the local, regional and national levels. She has been co-chair for regional and national training conferences and is currently the editor of her chapter’s newsletter. She recently took on the task of putting together a video that is now being used for membership recruitment all over the country. She is an outstanding and tireless worker who truly believes in NADE and the future of our organization. EDITH PETERS LIQUORI received the NADE Award and was recognized as the disability professional who has made outstanding contributions to the service of the claimant in accordance with her expertise. Under her leadership, her chapter has sponsored monthly “Lunch & Learn” seminars. She was the driving force in organizing her division’s first DDS/physician’s seminar in conjunction with one of her area’s teaching hospitals. She currently chairs the DDS/SSA teaming committee which is exploring new procedures to improve case processing and finding new ways for the DDSs and the SSA Field Offices to work together more efficiently. She always makes sure that the public receives her best efforts and that they also receive dignity and respect along with their decisions. GLENDA CROOM was honored with the John Gordon Award in recognition of her superior performance as a supervisor. She has been a NADE member for 18 years, having held offices at the local, regional and national levels. She has also served as a conference chairperson. She currently supervises a unit consisting of 14 Disability Examiners, a Case Consultant and six Support Staff. Her efforts and attitude, loyalty and fairness have served to improve morale and fostered a team spirit. She recognizes good work and encourages social activities. She is efficient, personable, knowledgeable and vivacious. These characteristics have served both her agency and NADE very well. MIKE FOSTER was awarded the Lewis Buckingham Award as a leader at both the regional and national levels. Mr. Foster has been a member of NADE since 1980 and has served the organization in many capacities. He has been the Southeast Regional Director and the chairperson of the Constitution and Bylaws, Long Range Planning and Legislative Committees. He is also a past national President and has served as an unofficial advisor to many presidents of NADE. He has distinguished himself and this organization with his diligent and dedicated professionalism. WILLIE ARCHEY was honored with the Director’s Award. She is recognized as an outstanding member of the support staff who demonstrates work performance efficiency and characteristics which contribute to the efficient operation of her unit and the morale of her coworkers. She began her career at DDS as a Branch Clerical, a position which has evolved into one where the individual is assisting examiners with case processing. She has taken the initiative to learn everything she can about her job and the examiner’s job. Her abilities and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done make her an asset to any team. ELIZABETH WASHBURN was presented the Earl B. Thomas Award in recognition of an administrator of a disability agency for constant contributions to the Social Security disability program that far exceed the responsibility of the position. Throughout her 18 years with the DDS, Ms. Washburn has served as a counselor, District Supervisor, Director of Initial Operations, Program Administrator and Agency Administrator. She has been the force moving her office into the technological age, always looking for ways to improve case processing and claimant service. She has also been very supportive of NADE and was instrumental in rebuilding an active chapter in her state. She has served on committees, attended many conferences and been part of numerous panel discussions. NADE appreciates the active support she has given this organization and wishes her all the best in her recent retirement. PAULA PFISTER received the Frank Barclay Award in recognition of her exceptional ability to motivate and challenge others, striving for personal and professional growth/human resource development. She is currently a Training Specialist in the Texas DDS and has developed specialized training procedures and courses to meet the needs of the people in her agency. She served as a National Facilitator for Process Unification Training, where she received high praise from her fellow facilitators and the agencies she trained. Back home, she has trained classes of new examiners, conducted a workshop on communication skills and public relations and made it possible for IVT broadcasts to reach a larger audience in her state. NewMADE was honored with the President’s Award in recognition of an outstanding chapter. This chapter has demonstrated outstanding achievement by innovative programs for improving medical and other professional community relationships. Their many activities include presentations to the DDS and the SSA offices, publication of a newsletter and other efforts that assist in improving the quality of adjudication. They have also enhanced community relations with activities such as support of a homeless shelter, a local home for women in crisis, Walktoberfest for Diabetes and WalkAmerica for the March of Dimes. Their “fun” activities have fostered a sense of community and their membership recruitment efforts have been recognized at both the Regional and National levels. A big THANK YOU to the members of the Awards Committee who worked extremely hard in making these decisions: Gayle Hull - Northeast CONGRATULATIONS to all the 1998 award winners! |
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