The University of Florida (UF) Department of Anesthesiology held its 10th annual Rebecca Lovely Awards Luncheon on May 1st, where department leaders recognized the overall contributions of our administrative staff and a select few were awarded for their efforts.
Tammy Bleeker, MEd, C-TAGME, assistant director of education administration, received the 2026 Rebecca Y. Lovely Outstanding Service Award for her excellent work performance and strong commitment to the mission and values of the department. Bleeker earned this award for her faithful dedication, integrity, and exemplary performance. She leads the Anesthesiology Education Office supporting 120 trainees; overhauls evaluations; tracks case logs, didactics, and observerships; sustains operations during understaffing; and models responsive, problem-solving service that advances the department’s mission across UF.
Additionally, several other awards were handed out, recognizing efforts towards patient care, research, educational support, and departmental culture.
Leadership in Patient Care Award
Britney Vidal
Britney Vidal, associate director of health care administration, earned this award by stepping up during the CRNA/CAA managerial transition to analyze needs and implement a retention strategy that reduced turnover, strengthened recruitment, and lifted morale. By stabilizing teams and reducing reliance on locums, she improved continuity, quality, and safety, inspiring colleagues to continue delivering exceptional patient care.
Excellence in Research Award
Abigail Doege
Abigail Doege, research administrator I, achieved this award by elevating research quality and impact. She mastered pre- and post-award administration, ensuring sponsor payments, and strengthening compliance. A resource for the whole College of Medicine, Doege has stabilized transitioning units, shared practices regionally and nationally, and created proposal checklists that improve funding success and broaden dissemination.
Outstanding Educational Support
Christina Hendricks, MA
Christina Hendricks, assistant director of administrative services, secured this award by elevating adult learning through expert onboarding, staff development, and accessible, compliant digital resources. Her clear guidance and proactive mentorship anticipate needs, empower colleagues, and streamline operations, improving outcomes and expanding opportunities. She cultivates an environment of academic excellence that prepares professionals for success.
Cultural Catalyst Award
Erik Neuman
Erik Neuman, administrative specialist III, achieved this award by transforming workflows into community-building. By consolidating recognition requests, centralizing award timelines, and launching the ANES‑ChairAdmin email, he makes collaboration effortless. His accessible, compliant policy cleanup and closed‑loop communication reduces friction, uplifts colleagues, and models responsiveness, creating a supportive, energized culture where teams feel valued and empowered.
The awards reception also highlighted the department stars and cheerleaders with the Star Awards. Martin Noguera, M.S., CRA, CPRA, CFRA, assistant director of research, won the department cheerleader award for submitting the most recognition forms for other staff throughout the year. This year’s star was Lisa Stanley, administrative assistant II, for receiving the most recognitions.
The Rebecca Y. Lovely Outstanding Service Award was established after Rebecca Lovely, who served as an administrative services coordinator, retired in 2016 after 33 years with the department. The award, named in her honor, recognizes dedication, integrity, and professionalism. This year, 15 administrative staff members were nominated for the award.
Congratulations to all of our nominees:
- Jenny Barghout, CPRP
- Tammy Bleeker, MEd, C-TAGME
- Abigail Doege
- Christina Hendricks, M.A.
- Nicholas Hosford, MHA
- Mary Ann Hoyt
- Richelle McComas
- Erik Neuman
- Antoinette Noel, MBA, R.N.
- Bryan Penberthy, MFA, MWC
- Matt Shaw
- Lisa Stanley
- Robin Vaughan, MBA
- Britney Vidal
- Rebecca Wakeman, CCRC, CPT