The National Institutes of Health, Office of Research Services, Division of Occupational Health, and Safety (DOHS) salute a group of professionals making a difference in safety. The NIH Mission First Safety Always Award was created to recognize NIH personnel who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and involvement in their organization's safety culture. The awards were given at the 2024 NIH Safety Health and Wellness Day held on June 18, 2024, at the NIH 6th floor conference center in building 31C.
The 2023 NIH Mission First Safety Always Award nominees were: Team Tania Scinto/Michael Sears-Hackett, CC; Rhonda Walther, ORS/DOHS; Niamh Cawley, NICHD; Heather Bridge, OD; Dr. Anna Santamaria, NICHD; Sheba Edmonds, NIA; Donna Walther, NIDA; Jian Jing Cao, NIDA; Sarah Sarsfield, NIDA; George Redrick, NIA; and Steven Mclaughlin, CC/DTM.
Our winners were the team of Tania Scinto and Michael Sears-Hackett from the Clinical Center (Blood Bank/Department of Transfusion Medicine). The team developed and launched a reporting strategy to spot abnormal laboratory results, made sure the results were identified in a systematic fashion without actionable data being missed, and that the information was addressed by the medical director and other staff in a timely manner. Also, the team launched a new process to identify patients who refuse blood transfusion and require alternative treatment plans. Thereby respecting patient beliefs but delivering the medical care they need. The actions taken by the team involved communicating a need, demonstrating leadership, innovation and a passionate involvement in their organization's safety culture.
The Runner-up for the 2023 NIH Mission First Safety Always Award was Sarah Sarsfield of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA). Sara is an NIH lab manager who is the vice chair of the NIH Lab Managers Working Group.
Keep an eye out for the next request for a Safety Super Star starting on November 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Nominate a Safety Super Star at https://orsweb.od.nih.gov/sites/dohs/Lists/NIHMissionFirstSafetyAlwaysAward/NewForm.aspx
