This Staff Spotlight is part of a series dedicated to those employees who continue to shine as we navigate through the challenging times of the pandemic. As much of the world was shut down, SMPH staff shifted gears to adapt to the many barriers that prevented business as usual. The featured employees were nominated by their colleagues because they exemplified the Building Community Shared Values of SMPH throughout this hectic time. We will share a different profile every other week through the end of the year.
Kassie Hefty is a Human Resources Business Partner who works with the Department of Medicine.
What is your role?
My current position is Human Resources Business Partner. I work for the Department of Medicine.
Within the Department of Medicine I support the following divisions and Centers: Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care, General Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Stem Cell, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, and the Center for Health Disparities Research. I provide a wide variety of human resources services to the divisions and centers I support. I work though everything from posting positions and hiring new staff, FTE changes, Emeritus requests, and everything in between.
When did you start working in SMPH? At UW?
I started working for UW and SMPH in October 2017.
What does a typical day look like for you?
OH BOY! No day is the same. Often I have to balance the days throughout the week by setting aside an email day where I just respond to emails and answer questions. Another day might involve working on specific projects, hires, open positions, and screening candidates.
One of my priorities is providing great customer service to the people I support, which means getting back to my “customers” in timely manner. I love the variety of my job. It has been challenging and continuous learning over the past four years, which is something I really enjoy!
What is your workplace superpower?
Being adaptable and flexible is a must, and I feel like I am definitely strong in this area.
What is something personal you keep on your desk?
I keep pictures of my kids on/near my desk.
Where are you from originally?
I was born and raised in Madison.
What is your favorite place to spend time in Madison? In the world?
My favorite place is on a small lake, early kayaking in the morning before anyone is awake! When I am not working, I spend most of my time with my family and watching my kids play sports.
What 1-2 books, articles, or podcasts, can you recommend to your SMPH colleagues?
I am reading Fail until you Don’t, by Bobby Bones. I love the podcast Crime Junkies!
Share one fact about yourself that you co-workers might not be aware of.
I have a passion for health and fitness and swam competitively for 12 years growing up.
From the nominators:
Amanda Wilkins, MATEC Program Director
Kassie was extremely helpful and provided guidance to hire open, grant-funded positions to support COVID-19 educational activities statewide. The volume of work she was doing to support hiring additional clinical staff to support COVID-19 care, all while working remotely with kids participating in remote learning, didn’t slow her down. She was highly responsive, supportive, and figured out how to help us hire necessary positions during a hiring freeze. She also supported us with compensating part-time faculty that supported our work above and beyond their role from other business units. Kassie is very much deserving of this recognition!
– Q&A condensed and edited by Laurie Silverberg, PhD