Empowered Teams Taking Action and Making a Difference!
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By: Janisse Cuevas
Harnessing insights from the Powered by You Faculty and Staff Comprehensive Engagement Program and last year’s survey — areas are taking action to drive engagement, recognition, development, and connection that is building trust and respect amongst their teams.
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Across the University of Miami, including UHealth and the Miller School of Medicine, leaders have reviewed the Powered by You Engagement Survey results with their teams, created engagement goals, implemented action plans, and met with their teams to share progress. Learn how teams across the U are harnessing feedback to cultivate engagement and connection, further igniting transformation and belonging across the University.
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The UHealth Tower Leadership Excellence Awards Program celebrates the outstanding achievements of UHealth Tower faculty and staff who embody commitment, values, and contributions to community well-being. This quarterly peer-nominated recognition program shines a spotlight on individuals who are committed to advancing a culture of belonging, multidisciplinary collaboration, and exemplify transformational leadership. This initiative is led by Kymberlee J. Manni, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the University of Miami Hospital and Clinics, in partnership with other leaders within the UHealth Tower. Award recipients are selected by the UHealth Tower executive review committee based on the peer nominations. Award recipients are not only honored with an award certificate and plaque during the quarterly award ceremony luncheon with the UHealth Tower executive leadership team, but also equipped with a social media toolkit to share their achievement. In addition, recipients are recognized through an announcement to the UHealth Tower workforce, a video of gratitude from their colleagues, and a one-time monetary prize. Through recognition and celebration, this program honors the impactful work of extraordinary team members who go above and beyond their daily responsibilities, fostering a culture of excellence and commitment to their mission of providing exceptional care.
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In the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, teams are dispersed across the medical campus and span diverse areas of research, clinical practice, and administration. A dedicated group of leaders, including Myrna Miqueli, sr. manager of business operations, and Rebekah Wiliams, sr. administrative assistant, have been committed to breaking down silos, strengthening the sense of community within the department and fostering collaboration. Leaders recognized the power of simple yet impactful initiatives and have prioritized creating more opportunities for connection. Through town hall meetings, potlucks, and engaging events like ugly sweater contests, team members found opportunities to enhance their workplace experience by creating an environment where they feel valued, supported, and inspired to achieve common goals. The team took proactive steps to create a quarterly newsletter, celebrating milestones, sharing departmental updates, and fostering their own sense of community.
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In the Division of Student Affairs, teams are focused on faculty and staff development. Fueled by insights from internal feedback and the Powered by You survey results, the department embarked on a transformative journey to enhance professional growth through a student-centric lens. Under the leadership of Dr. Heather Stevens, director of Divisional Initiatives, and a dedicated committee representing various departments within Student Affairs, survey data was utilized to design development programs tailored to enriching the student experience. Together, a dynamic series of events, including an immersive one-day conference with specialized breakout sessions, were created.
These initiatives fostered meaningful dialogue among faculty and staff, facilitated the exchange of best practices, and forged stronger connections across functional areas. As the Division of Student Affairs continues to prioritize student success, it remains committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation with its team.
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Within the Department of Neurological Surgery, a culture of engagement is deeply ingrained in every aspect of daily operations. Through a series of initiatives, including quarterly newsletters, departmental town halls, and monthly engagement committee meetings, Caroline Vargas, sr. manager of administrative operations, and Maggie Perez Dickens, sr. administrative officer, have been amplifying faculty and staff voices. By facilitating both informal gatherings and structured feedback sessions with leadership, Neurosurgery continues to foster an environment where team members feel heard, valued, and empowered to actively contribute to the shared mission of creating a sense of belonging.
Across the University, the pursuit of engagement is not merely a goal, but a shared journey guided by feedback, collaboration, and a commitment to community. As leaders and teams continue to leverage insights from the Powered by You survey, they are driving meaningful change, nurturing a vibrant workplace culture — one initiative, event, or patient and student interaction at a time.
Celebrating Teams Fostering Engagement, Belonging, and Connection!
Are you part of a team making strides in building a winning culture of engagement and connection within the University community? We want to hear from you so we can highlight teams and units that are excelling in creating environments where employees feel valued, can add value, be connected, and empowered.
Email poweredbyyou@miami.edu to share your story.
What's Next?
- Be on the lookout for updates from executive leaders as they share progress on the strategic priorities.
- Get ready to have your voice heard with the PBY pulse survey! In April, faculty and staff across the University of Miami, including UHealth and the Miller School of Medicine, will have the opportunity to shape the future at the U by sharing your valuable feedback in the Powered by You pulse survey. This short survey is designed to check in on what our workforce prioritized as opportunities at the enterprise and team level. This confidential survey will be administered by Perceptx, an independent third-party vendor, managing all data and ensuring your privacy. Let us know how we are doing in supporting your well-being, belonging, success, and engagement at work.
For more information about the Powered by You program, please visit miami.edu/poweredbyyou or email poweredbyyou@miami.edu.
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