VCU news

By Megan Schmidt

It would be no stretch to describe Debbie Teconchuk, administrative support with the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center Clinical Enterprise Administration, as positively jubilant when she heard her name called as the 2014 recipient of the Dorris Douglas Budd Award.

Techonchuk was nominated by Ralph Clark, M.D., chief medical officer and vice president for clinical activities for the VCU Health System. In his nomination, Clark described her as a “ray of sunshine” in their administrative suite.

“She is one of those people who speaks with a smile in her voice, as evidenced by her tone and demeanor,” he wrote.

Teconchuk embodied his praise as a big grin spread across her face, and she made her way out of the crowd to embrace VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., amidst vocal profusions of shock and gratitude.  

“I love coming to work every day,” Teconchuk said. “I try to start off the day by saying, ‘Good morning’ to everybody and I mean it. I feel like when I say it it starts us on a roll that we can just keep going and keep that high all day.”

Rao presented the awards to the finalists following remarks in which he noted that the employees of VCU are why he is so proud of this institution. “I look forward to this event every year as my chance to say ‘Thank you’ and to celebrate the many ways you help elevate VCU as a premier urban public research university. Your spirit fills the air,” he said.

The Dorris Douglas Budd Award was established in 1981 to honor administrative and support staff who demonstrate exemplary performance and uphold the image and mission of the university. The award is named for a secretary who served under the vice president of administration from 1951 to 1981.

Teconchuk was one of 19 finalists this year. Other finalists were Rhonda Atkinson, VCU Medical Center, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Wanda Hewlett Capers, VCU School of World Studies; Tomica Gregory, VCU Medical Center, Perioperative Surgical Services; Jonice Lawson Henley, VCU Medical Center, Pediatrics; Stephan Hicks, VCU Research Office; Judith Kendrick, VCU Physical Therapy; Christina Kyrus, VCU Physiology and Biophysics; Frances Lynch, VCU Robertson School of Media and Culture; Deborah Mealue, VCU Medical Center, Graduate Medical Education Administration; Paula Oakley, VCU Medical Center, Acute Care Surgery; Mary Rodwell, VCU Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Richmond — Dental Clinic; Cheryl Simms, VCU School of Dentistry; Cheri Stickels, VCU Provost's Office; Shonda Taylor, VCU Medical Center, Virginia Treatment Center for Children; Tonette Taylor, VCU Medical Center, Ambulatory Care Center; Dalphine White, VCU Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Richmond — Stafford Therapy Center; Robin White, VCU Medical Center, Acute Care Pediatrics; and Barbara Yates, VCU Medical Center, Hume-Lee Transplant Clinic.

The ceremony was held at the Scott House on Sept. 9, attended by nominees, colleagues and previous winners.

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