HMP Masters Student First Recipient of Gene Ronald Award

Yasmine Rezai, Master of Health Administration student and University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL) research assistant, is the first recipient of the UHL's Gene Ronald Award, which recognizes an outstanding student employee, intern, fellow, or grad assistant.

Yasmine is a graduate student in the Department of Health Management and Policy, working on both the MHA and a Master of Business Administration. She has worked for the Hygienic Laboratory since December 2007.

"Yasmine has taken on some high level projects at UHL, including developing expense budget worksheets and test-cost accounting projects," Pat Kosier, human resources director, said in her nomination of Yasmine. "She is helping UHL staff understand and become more structured and disciplined with regard to financial matters with a goal to get them more involved in budgeting for their sections. Yasmine's ability to multitask, her dedication, collaboration, wonderful disposition and follow-through make her very worthy of this award. She is helping UHL improve many processes to be more effective and accountable to all."

Award criteria state that the recipient must "exemplify or exhibit good work ethic, an aptitude to learn new skills, good interpersonal and communication skills, a demonstrated ability to complete goals and assignments, self-initiated personal drive, good organizational skills, and accountability."

Gene Ronald was an employee of UHL for 35 years. He began his career as a senior microbiologist in Iowa City, became branch laboratory manager in Des Moines and served as an environmental laboratory survey officer. Gene began many programs that are still in place at the Hygienic Laboratory today.

Congratulations, Yasmine!