Two members of the School of Medicine and Public Health community received 2021 University Staff Recognition Awards. UW–Madison honors university staff members for their outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence each year.
The awardees are Jim Taubel, a laboratory tech support supervisor in Biomedical Research Model Services, and Jennifer Noll, internship program coordinator in the Department of Psychiatry.
Taubel started his career in animal care at Mayo Clinic and has been with UW–Madison for 11 years. In his role, he works with research staff and investigators in SMPH to understand their research needs. He supervises staff, manages budgets, and reports on results and work in progress.
Over the last decade, he has helped his unit implement numerous system improvements, including revamping employee work schedules and renovating and expanding its facilities. His work has led to multiple cost-saving measures that also advanced staff wellbeing.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be chosen for this award,” Taubel says. “I enjoy coming up with ways to ensure others are able to do their jobs effectively and finding the best deal possible on equipment. I always tell others two things: the money that is saved today could be a raise in the future, and always treat others how you would like to be treated.”
His award nominators describe him as a true leader skilled at managing teams and interfacing with researchers. They say he treats people with kindness and respect, using his positive attitude and sense of humor to skillfully diffuse difficult situations and find solutions.
“The vivarium Jim leads has thirty investigators and numerous lab techs, postdocs, students, veterinarians, vet techs, and animal research techs,” says Terry Fritter, animal research tech advanced. “All of these groups have different and sometimes conflicting needs. Jim handles all these divergent requests with aplomb and good nature.”
Noll’s main focus in the Department of Psychiatry is handling all aspects of the doctoral internship program. Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, she supported the program’s remote teaching, supervision, and clinical services, as well as successfully recruited, interviewed, and onboarded new interns remotely.
She is a source of information on conferences, meetings, journal clubs, and grand rounds, as well as social events in the department. Her nominators say she continually goes above and beyond in additional ways for the department. They note how she builds productive and positive relationships, especially with new interns and staff to assist them in getting acquainted with the department.
“Jennifer is the one who connects everyone from different departments and units that all reside in the same building,” says research associate Sophia Loschky. “She has become the go-to person for everyone in the building who has questions or needs help of any sort. She gets everything done professionally and personally, and inspires people to do the same.”
Noll’s colleagues mentioned a unique sense of humor that has made her office known as the pit stop for any needs, whether it be a quick laugh or meaningful conversation.
“It’s all very overwhelming — in the best way,” Noll says. “I am touched that so many people went out of their way to say such nice things for my nominations. There are several distinct groups of people at WisPIC, so I make it my goal to make sure people feel safe and welcome.”