September 28, 2001

Success, accomplishment and determination all were applauded and awarded at the 2001 Association of Multicultural Members of Partners (AMMP) Scholarship and Recognition Luncheon Sept. 20. The event, held in the Wellman Conference Room, recognized a group of MGH and Partners employees who have distinguished themselves as scholars, professionals and leaders.

After a rendition of the National Anthem – sung by Margie Smith, MSW, of MGH Social Services – Ronald Greene, RN, of MGH Clinical Care Management and chair of AMMP, introduced the honorees. "These people truly have gone above and beyond in every way," he said before calling the 2001 AMMP Scholarship recipients to the podium.

Each of the eight winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship to pursue further education. In their acceptance speeches, many indicated that they intend to use their academic and career advances to better the MGH and Partners communities. "I've been at the hospital for 14 years," explained recipient Ingrid Beckles, of the MGH Psychiatric Nursing Service. "I would like to continue my success here at the MGH."

In addition to Beckles, this year's scholarship winners are: Nedjey Cassamajor, of Partners Real Estate; Jacquelyn Flowers, of MGH Clinical Care Management; Ingrid John, of MGH Research Management; Cheryl Joseph, of the Gillette Center for Women's Cancers; Dolores Ivette Kershaw, of MGH Inpatient Psychiatry; Marina Marke, of Radiology; and Wanda Velazquez, of MGH Community Benefits.

Several other MGH and Partners employees received recognition certificates for their work within the MGH Diversity Advisory Committee and the AMMP Membership, Nomination, Public Relations and Scholarship committees. Those honorees are: Gilbert Arenaza, of MGH Patient Financial Services; Maria Bloch, of MGH Environmental Services; Kathleen Hackett, of Partners Human Resources; LaDawn Hicks, of MGH Clinical Care Management; Cassandra Jones, of Partners Development; Jahanara Sachedina, of MGH Radiology; Velazquez; and Helen Witherspoon, of Partners Human Resources.

Patricia Beckles, RN, of the MGH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and former Partners employee Henry Ryan were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to AMMP. Executive Board honorees Kim Clarke, of the Partners Office of the General Counsel, and Suzanne Culver and Gaiel Thompson, both of Partners Human Resources, also were recognized.

From left, honorees Holliday, Bloch, Arenaza, Clarke and Culver.

Loretta Holliday, of MGH Public Affairs, was heralded as AMMP's Member of the Year. Holliday was presented with a special award by David Wise, of Partners Finance, chair of the AMMP Public Relations Committee, who lauded her for "her extraordinary dedication to and achievements for AMMP and its members."

Jeff Davis, senior vice president for MGH Human Resources, and Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, senior vice president for MGH Patient Care Services and chief nurse, remarked upon the accomplishments of the luncheon's honorees. "You help all of us today to celebrate the future," said Erickson. "Congratulations on a job well done."

AMMP meets on the second Thursday of each month, from noon to 1:30 pm in Bulfinch 222. All MGH and Partners employees are welcome.