2026 Staff Recognition Spotlight Award winners announced

UTHealth Houston President Melina R. Kibbe, MD (left) with the winners of the 2026 Staff Recognition Spotlight Awards.

University Classified Staff Council honored nine staff members with Staff Recognition Spotlight Awards on July 17 during its professional development workshop. The award, which began in 2022, recognizes exceptional staff members across UTHealth Houston.

“What I love about these awards is that the recipients were nominated by their peers. That is an incredible honor because it comes from the colleagues who know them best," said Melina R. Kibbe, MD, UTHealth Houston president and Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair. “These awards recognize qualities that we deeply value: caring, commitment, integrity, and knowledge. Those are the qualities that build strong teams and make UTHealth Houston a genuinely great place to work.”

One staff member from each school or unit is honored. This year, there were more than 90 nominations.

“We are proud to celebrate these outstanding individuals whose dedication and contributions make a meaningful impact across UTHealth Houston,” said Laura Rademacher, MEd, chair of the University Classified Staff Council and manager of Career and Alumni Engagement at UTHealth Houston. “The level of excellence reflected in this year’s nominations speaks to the strength and spirit of our classified staff community.”

The winners

Irma Sanchez

Medical assistant III - UT Physicians

Irma’s nominator highlighted her commitment to the clinics and its patients.

“She is a great team player and is always willing to help with patients’ concerns, and she also helps them with their results if they need answers. She is always willing to stay over to help out the clinic again if any of our clinics are short staffed. She is the first to say she will go to help at any clinic no matter where the clinic is located at.”

Joy De Los Reyes

Senior grants and contracts specialist - UTHealth Houston School of Public Health

“Joy demonstrates genuine care for others by creating a supportive and collaborative environment for both faculty and colleagues. She is always approachable and willing to assist, regardless of department or workload,” her nominator said. “Joy frequently supports team members in other departments who need guidance on complex submissions, taking the time to walk them through requirements and ensure their success. Her willingness to help others, even outside her immediate responsibilities, reflects her commitment to supporting the broader team.”

Kyle Rogers

Marketing and communications manager - UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry

“Kyle consistently delivers outstanding performance by going above and beyond in both execution and support. He maintains clear, reliable communication with student leadership, faculty, and anyone seeking assistance, ensuring strong collaboration and follow-through,” his nominator wrote. “He is highly engaged in school functions, proactively stepping in to support planning and execution, and is deeply committed to working with student leaders to foster growth and success. Kyle’s responsiveness, initiative, and dedication make him a dependable and impactful contributor to the school community.”

Christina Haigler 

Assistant director of Academic Affairs - UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Health Sciences

Christina’s nominators spoke highly of her knowledge and professionalism.

“She is thorough and detail-oriented, ensuring tasks are completed accurately and efficiently. She actively supports teamwork and contributes to team morale by sharing her knowledge, offering guidance, and stepping in to assist colleagues when needed. For example, Christina takes the time to ensure processes are clearly understood and followed, helping maintain consistency and efficiency across the team. Her expertise and willingness to collaborate make her a valuable resource, and her positive approach helps foster a supportive and high-performing work environment.”

Kehinde Ogunseye

Senior academic advisor - UT MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

“Kenny is one of the most genuinely caring staff members I have had the privilege to work with. She has a consistently positive attitude and brightens the day of students and staff alike. Her kindness isn’t just limited to big moments, it is present in her everyday interactions. She is thoughtful, patient, and warm, and students clearly feel that she cares about them as people, not just as advisees,” her nominator said. “Her caring nature is especially evident in the way she advises students through difficult situations. “

Amy Kurtz

Administrative manager - McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

“Amy consistently demonstrates genuine care and compassion for her co-workers through her everyday actions and interactions. She is always willing to step in and help others, regardless of how busy she may be, and she does so with a positive attitude and a commitment to making everyone around her feel supported,” Amy’s nominator wrote. “Amy creates an environment where her teammates feel valued, respected, and encouraged, which positively impacts overall team morale and collaboration.”

Tambra Ellison

Senior financial analyst - McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston

Tambra’s nominator describes her as supportive, kind, professional, and positive.

“She brings positive energy into every interaction, consistently encourages others, and shows grace and kindness to everyone around her. She treats everyone with respect, follows through on her commitments, and always strives to do what is right for both the department and the people around her. Her positive attitude, encouraging nature, and grace toward others reflect the strong character and values she brings to the workplace every day.”

Peggy Wiles

Senior administrative manager - Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston

“Peggy consistently demonstrates genuine care for faculty, staff, students, and visitors through her warmth, attentiveness, and unwavering commitment to supporting others. She creates an environment where people feel welcomed, respected, and valued, and she routinely goes beyond the expectations of her role to ensure the well-being and success of those around her,” her nominator said. “Peggy goes out of her way to celebrate milestones, welcome new team members, and foster a sense of community. Her warmth and professionalism set the tone for a supportive, collaborative department environment.”

Kenneth Wilson

Facilities monitoring and response specialist II - UTHealth Houston administration

“Kenneth is highly motivated and excels in professional development. Not only for himself but also helping others acquire certifications. He has volunteered his own time since 2024 to teach classes for his colleagues resulting in 12 of them passing exams for operator and engineering certifications,” his nominator wrote. “He is currently holding a class for five of his colleagues preparing for stationary engineering exams. This is not part of his job description. He does it because he cares for others and is trying to help them develop in their careers.”