The College of Public Health and Health Professions recognized Jacky Scott and Ikiah Young, two employees whose accomplishments include going above and beyond to meet challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as the college’s 2020 Employees of the Year.
Scott is a marketing assistant in the department of physical therapy, where she manages two websites and a social media account, creates publications such as newsletters, brochures and flyers, writes news and announcements, and coordinates events, such as seminars, conferences and symposia.
This past year, Scott led the development of the department’s first annual report, which was delivered in a digital format.
“This project took significant effort and resulted in a progressive, informative and eye-catching website,” a nominator wrote. “I received numerous compliments on the annual report from colleagues at other universities and within UF. Jacky is forward thinking and helps us push our boundaries to be sure that everyone knows about the fantastic things happening at the UF Department of Physical Therapy.”
Colleagues praised Scott’s willingness to provide a high level of service to faculty, staff and students. In one example in the past year, Scott volunteered to coordinate an international workshop hosted by the BREATHE Center after the departure of the center’s coordinator.
“Jacky stepped forward in a spirit of selfless contribution to the team, and accepted the challenge,” a colleague wrote.
Scott stepped up again later in the year when the department’s chair Krista Vandenborne, Ph.D., P.T., volunteered to co-chair a committee on child care resources to support parents employed by the college. Scott spent many hours researching resources to share with parents through the college’s wellness program.
“Jacky has been an asset to the department since her hire, however this year her performance has been exceptional as she has demonstrated her work ethic, enthusiasm and professionalism are beyond reproach,” a co-worker wrote.
As an academic programs coordinator in the department of health services research, management and policy, Young supports the Master of Health Administration and Ph.D. in Public Health — Health Services Research programs. Her duties include course registration, developing and maintaining student record files, and collaborating with faculty and other departments to develop course schedules. Over the past year, she has communicated with more than 100 M.H.A. applicants, and she manages the student files of nearly 60 current M.H.A. students.
Yet, most of her accomplishments over the past year were outside of her job description, a nominator wrote. She came forward to help new faculty member Keith Benson, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.H.A., the Master of Health Administration program director, manage aspects of the M.H.A. program after the departure of the program’s assistant director.
“Without lkiah, I know the growth in the M.H.A. program would not be possible,” a co-worker said.
Young quickly took on coordinating all logistics for two important events: the M.H.A. Internship Showcase and the M.H.A. Open House. Thanks to Young, co-workers said, both events went smoothly and were a success.
The M.H.A. program was in the middle of its admissions process when the pandemic started in the spring.
“Ikiah remained the primary contact for applicants during the upheaval,” a colleague wrote. “Once again, due to Ikiah’s efforts, we admitted an academically strong class with more students than the class of 2021, despite being in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
When the pandemic forced the new student orientation to be delivered in an online format, Young took care of all the details.
“This was not part of her ‘assigned’ duties, but another example of Ikiah being Ikiah and helping out for the benefit of students and the program,” a nominator wrote.