Novotny is October’s Gold U receipient

From left, UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, and Marlene Novotny at the October Board of Regents meeting.

Marlene Novotny, executive assistant to UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, is the October Gold U recipient.

Novotny joined UNMC in 2009.

"I had been working at home as a medical transcriptionist, and that wasn’t the right fit for me," she said. "I needed more contact with people."

She laughed. "I have plenty of contact with people now."

When she was looking for a position, she explored organizations that would provide opportunities for growth, as well as organizations with a mission that inspired her. UNMC was a perfect fit, she said.

"I am proud of UNMC’s mission and glad to be part of making the state of Nebraska and entire surrounding community a better place to live because of UNMC’s research, medical care and ability to deal with situations like COVID-19," she said. "Our work to improve the life of Nebraskans and everyone else around the world – I am fortunate to be in an organization that has such a wonderful impact."

"I am pleased to congratulate Marlene on this honor and thank her for all that she does for our campus and for the University of Nebraska," Dr. Gold said. "It is very (VERY) well deserved!"

As the chancellor’s executive assistant, Novotny works daily with Dr. Gold to handle his challenging schedule, and she works with the entire UNMC community to ensure that the chancellor is aware of and responds to campus needs.

"I try to accommodate people," she said. "I don’t want anyone having to go to the chancellor and say, ‘I needed you and she shut me down.’ "

Novotny said she takes pride in helping Dr. Gold stay on schedule, but she credited her colleagues in the chancellor’s office with providing support for her and Dr. Gold.

And they credited her right back.

"Marlene is able to see the big picture, which is helpful in her ability to prioritize work in the chancellor's office," a nominator said. "Her operational style allows her to do the right thing to ensure things get done."

"She works tirelessly to ensure Dr. Gold and his support team operate with a high degree of precision to meet the daily demands of the office and medical center," another colleague said.

In addition, colleagues see Marlene as a problem solver who is unfazed by the many demands of her job. "She is positive, respectful, helpful, practical, trustworthy, reasonable, reliable, dedicated to her responsibilities and down to earth … It is a pleasure to work with Marlene."

25 comments

  1. Sarah Gloden Carlson says:

    Congratulations, Marlene!

  2. Anna Mueller says:

    Congratulations!!

  3. Aileen Warren says:

    Way to go Marlene! Thanks for everything you do. Well deserved recognition.

  4. Nikki Carritt says:

    Congratulations, Marlene! You are so deserving of the honor!

  5. Lori J. Cervantes says:

    Congrats! I always enjoyed working with you at Truhlsen Eye Institute. You certainly deserve this award.

  6. kacie baum says:

    Congrats Marlene! Very well deserved.

  7. Wally Thoreson says:

    Congratulations, Marlene!

  8. Amy Lamer says:

    Congratulations, Marlene! You have a very busy, complicated job yet you never make me feel like I am bothering you when I need help.

  9. Kim Brown says:

    Congratulations, Marlene! VERY well deserved!!

  10. Bill O’Neill says:

    Congratulations, Marlene! So well deserved!

  11. Robin Jaeckel says:

    Congratulations on a well deserved and long coming recognition.

  12. Shannon Becker says:

    Congratulations, Marlene! Well-deserved recognition! You are an amazing source of knowledge and are always willing to share it. I appreciate you and all you do for the entire campus.

  13. Patti Marsh says:

    Congratulations Marlene! Much deserved for all your hard work and dedication. It's a pleasure to work with you.

  14. Anne Lawlor says:

    Congratulations, Marlene! This honor is so well deserved. Thank you for all that you do!

  15. Pam Welch says:

    Congratulations Marlene! Very well deserved, you are amazing, and it is always a pleasure talking with you.

  16. Esther Collins says:

    Congrats Marlene!! Well deserved and wonderful to see you recognized for all you do.

  17. Tom O’Connor says:

    Marlene is the BEST! She embodies what Gold U is all about!

  18. Jayme Hoch says:

    Congrats Marlene!! 🙂

  19. Emily McElroy says:

    Marlene, you epitomize what is great about UNMC. Well-deserved!

  20. Stephanie Smith says:

    Fantastic news and well-deserved. Congratulations, Marlene!

  21. John Keenan says:

    Marlene, you're the best. Congratulations!

  22. LaDonna Tworek says:

    Congratulations Marlene – – Very well deserved!!

  23. Jeff Miller says:

    Congratulations Marlene – Well deserved recognition!

  24. Lena Bolivar Johnson says:

    What an honor! Congratulations (and thank you for all you do)!

  25. Dr. Sheritta Strong says:

    Congratulations Marlene! Appreciate all that you do at UNMC 🙂

Comments are closed.