Priscilla Phillips has been with UNMC for 21 years. And for every one of those years, she has been an office manager/administrator for the UNMC Department of Pediatric Cardiology based at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center.
One reason Phillips has stayed in one position so long is the people.
“The people I work with are phenomenal,” she said. “I truly enjoy working with them every day.”
Another reason is the mission.
“I believe wholeheartedly everyone in our cardiac service line is dedicated to providing the best care for our patients and families, as well as being devoted to research and education at all levels,” she said. “And with my involvement in our fellowship program, I like the thought that, I might be helping to influence the next generation of pediatric cardiologists.”
And if you’re looking for a third reason, Phillips’ colleagues can give you one: She’s very, very good at her job.
Nominator Robert Spicer, M.D., a professor of pediatric cardiology in the College of Medicine, called Phillips a “confident but compassionate leader.”
“Excellence is evident in every aspect of her performance,” he said in a letter supporting Phillips nomination. “She expects it of herself and encourages and promotes it in others.”
Christopher Erickson, M.D., professor of cardiology and director, electrophysiology and genetic arrhythmias, praised Phillips’ dedication to the office, and added that she will go to great lengths to serve patients. “With everything she does, she knows the bottom line is how it will affect our patients and their families,” he said.
Nominator John Kugler, M.D., professor of pediatric cardiology and program director of the pediatric cardiology fellowship, described her as a champion of excellence who is never intimidated by challenges.
“She is constantly the ‘go-to’ person for people within and outside the cardiac service line because of her knowledge, never-say-die attitude, constant availability and responsive approach to everyone,” he said.
Phillips is quick to flip every compliment, lauding the physicians, nurses, technicians and other staff members in the department.
“The physicians who nominated me are nationally and internationally renowned in their field, and to know they value what I do for them is extremely rewarding,” she said.
But she also is proud of her role in the department’s three-year-old fellowship program. She administrates the program and helped create it.
“Having our first Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education site visit — no pressure there,” she said with a laugh. “I can’t tell you the number of hours I put in on that one.”
It's high time you received this honor! You're the best part of Children's Hospital & Medical Center.