May 5, 2006

The Pamela J. Ellis Award: A tribute to excellence

According to one colleague, Marie Doland (left), secretary to Paul Shellito, MD, of the MGH Department of Surgery, is "a combination of intelligence, productivity and compassion," while a patient called her, quite simply, "the perfect secretary." With accolades such as these to her credit — just a few of the many she received — Doland was chosen as the recipient of the 2006 Pamela J. Ellis Memorial Secretarial Award. She was presented with the award at the annual Administrative/Secretarial Support Staff Day luncheon, held April 26 under the Bulfinch Tent.

The award, which is given annually to an MGH support staff member in recognition of National Administrative Professionals' Day, was named in honor of Pamela J. Ellis, an executive secretary at the MGH who died in October 1996 at the age of 31. The $1,000 award was established in 1997 to honor employees who exhibit the same dedication, strong work ethic and commitment to excellence demonstrated by Ellis. The award carries special significance for Doland, as one of her first assignments at the MGH was filling in for Ellis while she received cancer treatments.

"This award is so meaningful to me," said Doland upon accepting her award. "I never had the opportunity to meet Pam, but I certainly know how much she was loved." Above, from left, Peter L. Slavin, MD, along with last year's winner Reina Galindo, George Baker, MD, Doland and Jeff Davis

A total of 52 other individuals from throughout the hospital were nominated this
year. The names of all nominees will be included on a framed honor roll, which will be displayed along with the Pamela J. Ellis plaque on the Employee Wall of Recognition across from the MGH Gift Shop on Ellison 1.