We are excited to announce that Vera Rehberg, administrative specialist II, has been honored with the 2021-22 UF Superior Accomplishment Award for her outstanding contributions to our department and institution.
The Superior Accomplishment Awards recognize faculty and staff who have shown efficiency or economy in their work, contributed outstanding and meritorious service, or improved the quality of life provided to students and employees. Each winner is nominated by supervisors, peers, or customers. The award comes with a $200 cash prize, a framed certificate, and a commemorative coffee mug.
Vera won in Division 5, which encompasses the six health colleges, in the clerical/office support category. She will be considered for university-level awards, which offer $1,000 and $2,000 cash prizes, and recognized at an awards banquet on April 4 at the Hilton UF Conference Center. She was one of 14 College of Medicine faculty and staff to receive the honor.
Vera has distinguished herself as an extremely dedicated professional who goes above and beyond to support the department’s mission and faculty. Vera supported the Divisions of Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine for five years before transitioning to a new role in the Chair’s Office in October 2021.
While supporting Critical Care Medicine, she frequently stepped up to help however she could. For example, when the Education Office experienced unplanned absences, she took over the Continuing Medical Education programs for Multidisciplinary Critical Care Grand Rounds and the Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Echocardiography Conference. Vera also stepped up to help the critical care faculty with coordinating a ventilator workshop with visiting faculty from two different academic health centers.
Vera excelled in taking on challenging assignments whenever she could and pitching it to help coworkers, including assisting with manuscript preparation and submission and providing her expertise on promotion and tenure packets.
“She is a role model for professionalism and has a strong work ethic,” her nomination letter said. “Her greatest strength is her willingness to be a team player and assist the department in any way she can.”
Congratulations, Vera!