OU Health Sciences Center Staff Awards
Each year, the OUHSC Staff Senate proudly hosts the Employee Recognition Ceremony at the Embassy Suites, celebrating the incredible dedication and achievements of our staff. This special event honors employees who reached milestone anniversaries with the University—ranging from 10 to 40 years of service.
Presented by the OUHSC Staff Senate Employee Recognition Committee, the ceremony brings together colleagues and leadership from across campus. This year's special guests included Senior Vice President and Provost for Health Sciences Dr. Gary Raskob, Vice Provost Jill Raines, OU Regent Rick Nagel, Dr. Valerie Williams, and many college deans—each joining to recognize the vital contributions of our outstanding staff.
View pictures from the Ceremony!
Use the following link & password to view photos from the 2025 Employee Recognition Ceremony.
View ERC Photos
Password: ouphoto2025
Explore the awards below to celebrate this year’s honorees.
Staff Senate Appreciation Award
Each year, the Staff Senate presents the Staff Senate Appreciation Award to an individual who has made a contribution that assisted the Staff Senate in the performance of their mission.
2025 Recipient
Leslee Smith
Employee of the Year
Each month an outstanding staff member is selected as the Employee of the Month. Drawn from a pool of over 2800 staff members, this group represents the qualities that have made OU Health Sciences such a success story. One outstanding individual is selected to represent our staff with the additional honor in being named the Employee of the Year.
2025 Recipient
Tina Ellis
Regents' Award for Superior Staff
Each year, the Regents' Award for Superior Staff is presented to recognize the exceptional contributions of University of Oklahoma staff members whose dedication and service help advance the mission of our university. To be considered for this prestigious honor, a staff member must consistently demonstrate superior job performance and/or provide outstanding service—whether within the university or through community and professional activities carried out on its behalf. What sets these individuals apart is not just what they do, but how they do it. Their initiative, perspective, and commitment often go above and beyond the responsibilities of their roles, making a lasting impact on the OU community.
2025 Recipient
Megan Westbrook
Tanya L. Mustin Staff Excellence Award
In 2015, the OUHSC Student Government Association created the concept of a Staff Excellence Award derived totally from student nominations and selected by OUHSC Student Government Association Executive Board. This award was designed to honor an exemplary OUHSC staff member who has gone beyond for students and served full-time at OUHSC for at least three years. Students were asked to nominate a staff member who they considered to be outstanding in the areas of advising, mentoring, service activities or professional activities, and who best represents the OUHSC mission.
2025 Recipient
Kay Locke
Marcia Bennett OUHSC Leadership and Mentoring Award
This prestigious award was established by the Health Sciences Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost and carries a monetary prize. It recognizes one staff member who emulates the leadership and mentorship of the former Vice Provost for Health Sciences, Dr. Marcia M. Bennett, who served the University for more than 40 years. This award was initiated to honor Dr. Bennett’s legacy of leadership and mentoring, upon her retirement from the University in January 2020.
2025 Recipient
Wanda Felty