Selaba Travis, office associate in the Department of Internal Medicine Administrative Offices, has been recognized with Gold U award earlier this year. Crafted by department Chair, Debra Romberger, M.D., and Vice Chair of Research, Ted Mikuls, M.D., Selaba’s nomination was largely based on her work with UNMC’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) and Summer Undergraduate Alcohol Research (SUARP) programs, but also recognizes her accomplishment of other job responsibilities.
Drs. Romberger and Mikuls stated, "Through Selaba’s administration of the SURP and SUARP programs, she puts into action the Medical Center’s mission to ‘lead the world in transforming lives … through premier educational programs [and] innovative research.’ In her direction of these programs, she truly supports both the academic and clinical missions of the Medical Center in the sharing of vision, values and goals to thrive as a world-class academic medical center.
"Selaba takes charge of the summer research programs, with the self-assuredness of many years of arranging the program and stoic attention to assuring the success of program not only for the institution, but for the participants. She quietly and efficiently oversees all phases of the sessions – solicitation of applications, participant selection, mentor and project assignments, poster sessions, etc. Through her dedication to the SURP and SUARP programs, Seleba has acquired infinite knowledge of the program, making her a trusted resource for applicants, students and mentors.
"However, it is not the ‘mere’ magnitude of the program or the aplomb with which Selaba handles the organization nearly single-handedly, it is the personal interest in the applicants that makes Selaba’s nurturing so noteworthy. She not only assists with securing housing for the students, but is often on hand to pick them up from the airport or to provide other transportation – be it to save the students from walking in the rain from the Omaha VA Medical Center to UNMC or in much more personalized caring. A prime example of her thoughtfulness occurred this past summer: Selaba knew some of the students would be left alone in dorm housing over a holiday weekend. She invited them to spend the day with her! Instead of a lonely, nothing-to-do, long weekend, the students were treated to a day at our world-famous zoo! What a wonderful impression of UNMC and our community Selaba implanted on these young scientists! In just this one example of Selaba’s going beyond the requirements of the job, she cast UNMC in a glowing spotlight of caring! Selaba’s commitment to excellence is not a job mandate for her. It comes to her naturally. She makes her assigned tasks part of her routine, incorporating them into part of her being – her leadership and dedication radiating from her actions," concluded Drs. Romberger and Mikuls.
Selaba provides primary support for the departmental research program, which involves coordination of the Internal Medicine Research Council. She organizes and sees the Department’s biennial report through to publication. It is also her responsibility to gather information and promote the members of the Department through publication of the Department’s quarterly newsletter.