EMPLOYEE SERVICE CELEBRATION
Celebrating Milestones, Recognizing Achievements
Monday, May 22
B&O Railroad Museum
Baltimore
PROGRAM
5 p.m. Check-In and Cocktail Hour
Explore the museum’s exhibits
Enjoy a variety of hors d’oeuvres and refreshments
6–6:45 p.m. Welcome and Presentation of Special Awards
Speaker: Raymond Short, vice president of human resources
Emcee: Shannell Cockrell
6:45–8:15 p.m. Reception
Enjoy live music, savory food selections, dessert and bar
8:30 p.m. Event Concludes Shuttle departs at 8 and 8:30 p.m.
Celebrating Milestones, Recognizing Achievements
WELCOME TO THE 2023
EMPLOYEE SERVICE CELEBRATION
This is a celebration for Kennedy Krieger Institute employees who reached a milestone service anniversary in 2021 or 2022.
Each person contributes a special gift. Our staff members are essential to the success of the Institute. Their hard work and dedication make every day a little brighter for the children and families we serve, as well as for each other.
We invite you here today to celebrate and recognize individuals who contribute selflessly to transforming the lives of the children youth and adults we serve.
Produced by the Employee Service Celebration Committee
THANK YOU!
Absolutely Perfect Catering
American Limousines
B&O Railroad Museum
Baltimore Blossoms Studio
David Stuck Photography
Engage2Excel
Gino Marriott and the Spirit of Jazz
Kennedy Krieger’s External Relations Department
Kennedy Krieger’s Facilities Department
Kennedy Krieger’s Human Resources Department
Kennedy Krieger’s Senior Management Team
Kennedy Krieger’s Vice Presidents, Directors and Supervisors
Personalization Mall
2022 SPECIAL AWARDS RECIPIENTS
AND
Celebrating 45 Years of Service
George H. Thomas Extraordinary Service Award
The George H. Thomas Extraordinary Service Award is given to employees who have achieved 45 years of service. This award was created to honor Dr. George H. Thomas.
Dr. Thomas, along with physicians from Johns Hopkins Medicine, utilized the resources of a great university and hospital to address the social, educational and medical neglect of individuals with disabilities. He directed much of his work toward gaining a better understanding of the genetic mutations and biochemical alterations associated with disabilities in children.
Congratulations to our George H. Thomas Extraordinary Service Award recipients:
Susan M. Katz
Early in her academic education, Susan Katz chose a personal lifelong goal—to be a facilitator and an agent of change. A second standard emerged immediately after Sue began her field placement as a trainee at Kennedy Krieger Institute—to advocate on behalf of children. For 45 years, her actions have modeled these principles, both professionally and personally.
At Kennedy Krieger, Sue’s role is two-fold: to ensure that the hospital maintains its long-standing accreditation and licensure, and to direct and manage the smooth operation and administration of the Kennedy
Krieger Institute Board of Directors. As a non-clinician, Sue brought her background in biology to enhance her position, recognizing and appreciating the impact of science on improving the lives of children, youth and adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. She has the unique perspective of understanding Kennedy Krieger from the top down and the bottom up, working with staff members and the members of the board of directors alike. All of Sue’s professional years have been spent here.
Sue has a long history of service, in both elected and appointed volunteer leadership positions for advocacy organizations dedicated to children, youth and young adults. A sampling of those positions includes elected member of the parents’ council at a major university in the D.C. metro area, president of a county-wide PTA organization, PTSA president at a local high school, president of a local chapter of a statewide parents’ support group, and the first chair of a parents’ advisory group of a local preschool.
Sue enjoys playing tennis and traveling with her family. Sue and her husband, Andy, have two married children and three grandchildren. Congratulations, Sue, on achieving this 45-year milestone, and thank you for your dedicated service!
Bruce K. Shapiro, MD
Dr. Bruce Shapiro has always had a passion for pediatrics and training future professionals. Before becoming an employee of Kennedy Krieger Institute, on July 1, 1977, as a faculty member and instructor, he was a pediatric fellow in child development at The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine. Today, he is vice president emeritus of training, director emeritus of the Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) Program, and director emeritus and associate director of the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDD) Residency Program at Kennedy Krieger and The Johns Hopkins University. He continues as
a professor of pediatrics at The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine, where he previously held the Arnold J. Capute, MD, MPH, Chair in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. He is an attending physician at Kennedy Krieger’s inpatient rehabilitation hospital, Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital and The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Dr. Shapiro continues to be active in training. He chairs an interdisciplinary conference every Friday morning, precepts residents and fellows, and participates in the didactic portion of the NDD Residency Program. He is a member of Kennedy Krieger’s promotions committee, and he willingly shares the wisdom he has acquired over the past 45 years. Currently, he is focused on editing the new edition of “Capute and Accardo’s Neurodevelopmental Disabilities in Infancy and Childhood.”
Dr. Shapiro has wide-ranging interests in neurodevelopmental disorders and has participated in research focused on the identification and assessment of, and therapy for, neurodevelopmental disorders. He also chairs the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology’s Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Examination Committee. Thank you, Dr. Shapiro, for your commitment to the mission of Kennedy Krieger, and congratulations on 45 years of service!
Deborah Y. Simpson
Deb Simpson first learned about Kennedy Krieger Institute from her high school guidance counselor. Deb was 16 then, and the Institute was known as the Kennedy Institute, with just one building (707 Broadway). That summer, and the following summer as well, Deb worked on the third-floor inpatient unit as a summer worker. While she was in college, the Institute’s nursing department hired her for full-time work. After graduating from college, Dr. Bruce Shapiro offered her a position in the Institute’s Center for Development and Learning. This was the start of Deb’s outpatient career at Kennedy Krieger.
Deb now serves as medical care center director, working with care center specialists, financial counselors, supervisors, managers and other colleagues. “Each of these individuals brings so much to
their jobs and should be commended for their hard work,” Deb says. “Everyone works hard to help our patients reach their fullest potential to live a rewarding life. Working at Kennedy Krieger is a great pleasure for me—I truly feel like I’m a part of a family. Without each other, none of us could be successful.”
In a typical day at work, Deb oversees scheduling, financial clearance and registration processes for several of the Institute’s locations, including the facilities at 801 Broadway and in Columbia, Maple Lawn and White Marsh. “It is so easy to feel proud of what we do here in service to the population we serve—children with neurological, brain and genetic disorders,” she says.
Deb loves meeting new people every day, and helping people feel better. She also loves problem-solving and learning new things. “Working at Kennedy Krieger has been a wonderful learning experience,” she says.
What Deb appreciates most in her job is witnessing how the Institute’s outpatient programs “continue to make vital changes for thousands of patients every day. I go home at night knowing that while I may not have changed the world, I did, at the least, make someone else’s day brighter. Interacting with our patients is the best part of my day. While not everyone has the job of their dreams, I can truly say that I found the job of my dreams. I am earnestly grateful for this recognition and am extremely honored to be receiving such an important award.”
Congratulations on 45 years of service, Deb! Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our patients and their families.
Celebrating 40 Years of Service
Elmer R. Anderson Distinguished Service Award
The next two awards were created to honor the late Elmer R. Anderson, whom many knew as “Mr. Elmer.” Mr. Elmer began his employment with Kennedy Krieger in August of 1962. During his 41-year career, he worked in various departments, spreading happiness through his unique personality in each position he held. He loved to joke, and he lived life to the fullest.
The Elmer R. Anderson Distinguished Service Award is given to employees who have achieved 40 years of service.
Congratulations to our Elmer R. Anderson Distinguished Service Award recipients:
Sharon P. Avent
Sharon Avent has dedicated an incredible 40 years of service to Kennedy Krieger Institute. She was hired in 1981 as an administrative assistant in the Clinical Psychology Department, and spent the first decade of her career at Kennedy Krieger at 707 Broadway. In 1992, she was promoted to the position of administrative coordinator. When the Clinical Psychology Department became the Neuropsychology Department in 1995, Sharon remained in her role in the new department. She worked closely with the department’s director, Dr. Lynn Speedie, then new to the Institute, allowing her to “hit the ground running” and quickly develop the initially small Neuropsychology Department into the nationally recognized program it is today.
Sharon was promoted in 1999 to the position of care team leader, and again in 2010, to the role of administrative manager. Over the past three decades, Sharon has remained an invaluable resource in
the Neuropsychology Department. Quietly, and often behind the scenes, Sharon works tirelessly to make sure that her care center— and the entire department—run smoothly. She can answer any question off the top of her head. She does whatever needs to be done, even if it’s not her job. She manages challenging situations with humor, grace and kindness.
Outside of work, Sharon is a dedicated grandmother and greatgrandmother. She takes her great-granddaughter to preschool each morning (no small feat with this spirited little girl!) and hosts baby showers and first birthday parties for her family. Of course, she is also close with her children and has a regular Friday night date with her daughter for seafood. When she’s not with her family, Sharon’s two dogs and cat, Kit-Kat, keep her company at home and provide no shortage of entertainment with their shenanigans. And speaking of seafood: Crabs are not just something that Sharon, a native of Baltimore, grew up with. They are, perhaps, her one true love.
Sharon, we cannot thank you enough for the decades of service you have given the Institute, especially the Neuropsychology Department. You have made a lasting imprint on this place, and on each of us. We are so grateful to have you!
Patricia A. Leffler
Patricia “Patty” Leffler has been a dedicated employee of Kennedy Krieger Institute for the past 40 years. She started her Kennedy Krieger career working in what is now known as Health Information Management. She also worked in administration for three years. She has been with the Patient Accounting Office since 1996, where she oversees our accounts payable operations.
Patty starts her work day at 6:30 a.m., always with a positive attitude. She is known for being dependable and having an impeccable work ethic.
Patty is a very creative person. She always volunteers to use her gifts to create baskets, blankets, money trees, diaper cakes, etc., for various bridal and baby showers and retirement parties. The only thing Patty loves more than Kennedy Krieger is her family, for which she keeps many traditions. One thing she loves to make is her family’s ravioli for Thanksgiving. Every year, she makes more than 100 ravioli squares for all to share, and now the next generation is participating in making them. We enjoy a taste when she brings some in each year.
Congratulations to Patty for reaching the 40-year mark at Kennedy Krieger. We appreciate her hard work and dedication to her job, and to the mission of the Institute.
Celebrating 35 Years of Service
Elmer R. Anderson Memorial Service Award
The Elmer R. Anderson Memorial Service Award is given to employees who have achieved 35 years of service.
Congratulations to our Elmer R. Anderson Memorial Service Award recipients:
James M. Anders Jr., CPA, MBA, CGMA®
Sharon L. Borshay
Owen A. Bromfield
Joan M. Carney, EdD
Sheryl T. Coughlin
Kimberly Cosgrove
Felicia V. Diggs-Hudson
Robert M. Harrell, PhD
David S. Jones
Roberta A. Mason
Gina S. Richman-Egel, PhD
Keith J. Slifer, PhD
Joan M. Snyder
Lisa A. Trotta
Celebrating 30 Years of Service
Congratulations to the following individuals, who have achieved 30 years of service:
Susan W. Breslin
Kimberly S. Butler
Regina Byan
Nona K. Davis
Mildred L. Fung
Cynthia A. Gealy
Nancy C. Grace
Louis P. Hagopian
Patricia F. Kurtz
Peggy F. Lu
Linda A. Myers, EdD
Betsy J. Offermann
Elsie M. Reinhardt
Cynthia J. Reynolds
Terry D. Scott
Karen S. Smith-Connor
Angela Wingfield
Kennedy Krieger Institute and the Employee Service Celebration Committee would like to thank this year’s award recipients for their dedication, commitment and diligence to the Institute and the families we serve.
