Staff Appreciation Week | Emory School of Medicine

Our Commitment to Staff

Our school is dedicated to fostering a culture where staff feel valued, connected, and engaged. Since its launch in 2021, the Staff Recognition and Engagement Committee (SREC) has partnered with leadership to enhance the staff experience—creating opportunities to recognize contributions, support professional growth, and strengthen a sense of community across the School of Medicine (SOM).

Through initiatives like Staff Appreciation Week, the SOM Staff Awards, the new SOM Staff MVP program, and other engagement opportunities, SREC continues to highlight the vital role staff play in advancing our mission.

Join us May 11–15 as we celebrate Staff Appreciation Week with a series of virtual and in-person events designed with our staff in mind. We look forward to recognizing and celebrating the many ways you make a difference every day.

Ways to Engage

Gather for Staff Fest events

Join colleagues for a full day of celebration on Friday, May 15. The School of Medicine will kick off the festivities with a Staff Fest pre-party from 9 to 11 a.m. on the front lawn and lobby of the James B. Williams Medical Education Building. Stop by to enjoy music, lawn games, snacks, and SOM swag—and enter for a chance to win gift cards.

Then head to the Quad from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Emory’s 48^th annual Staff Fest. University staff, faculty, and retirees are invited (Emory ID required).

Enjoy:

Complimentary lunch catered by Williamson Bros. BBQ (while supplies last)
DJ, music, and dancing
Volleyball tournament and field games
Chalk the Walk art contest
Ice cream and activities across the Quad

Staff Fest details

Share Your Smiles

Post a selfie or team photo aligned with each day’s theme for a chance to win gift cards. Share using #SOMMedStaff26 on social media or email your photos to sue.kim@emory.edu—whichever option you prefer!

Monday, May 11 | Unique Hat Day: Show off your most out-of-this-world hat—store-bought or handmade—with a selfie or photo of you and your favorite hat.

Tuesday, May 12 | Favorite Mug Day: Snap a photo of your go-to mug and share the story behind your favorite sip.

Wednesday, May 13 | Favorite Vacation Day: Take us along on your favorite getaway by sharing a photo that captures your best vacation memories.

Thursday, May 14 | Favorite Snack Day: Show off the snack that gets you through the day—sweet, salty, or somewhere in between!

Friday, May 15 | Emory Swag Day: Show your school spirit by snapping a picture in your favorite Emory gear and repping that blue and gold.

Send a Note

Use the Celebrate Others platform to send an e-card to a staff colleague to show your appreciation for them this week. Each e-card you send enters you into the gift card drawing.

Send e-card

Recognize Your Team

We encourage supervisors to celebrate their teams this week and beyond. Visit the Staff Appreciation Week Manager Toolkit on the SOM intranet (login required) for ideas and resources.

View toolkit

2026 Staff Shoutouts

Kelly Poptanycz Senior program coordinator, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Describe your path to Emory and your current role.

I spent the first 10 years of my career in student advising and admissions. After the birth of my first daughter, I became enthralled with reproductive health because I had such an amazing, positive birth experience. I decided to switch gears and worked as a birth doula before joining the Emory Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) in 2022. I now support third- and fourth-year medical students during their first experiences with the specialty or on the OB-GYN clerkship during their third year. Then if they decide to apply to OB-GYN residencies, I assist them with preparing for residency applications. Seeing their excitement on Match Day is so fulfilling.

What’s one thing that helps you stay energized or inspired at work?

My OB-GYN clerkship director, Meg Lawley (gynecology and obstetrics), and my associate OB-GYN clerkship director, Sejal Tamakuwala (gynecology and obstetrics), inspire me every day. They are passionate about teaching students and find new ways to engage our learners. The OB-GYN clerkship is a rich and innovative six-week experience under their leadership, and I truly feel part of an experience that has an impact on our students, even if they do not decide to pursue OB-GYN. Dr. Lawley and Dr. Tamakuwala are extremely busy people, but never fail to show up with grace and a positive attitude. Not to mention we have SO much fun!

What does “making a difference” in your work look like to you?

I feel rewarded by setting others up for success. Our students spend a short time on OB-GYN, and the organization of the clerkship (whether they can access scrubs on service, know where they are going, have clear expectations, and feel welcomed into the department) affects how they view the specialty as a whole. I enjoy doing the behind-the-scenes work so they can focus on their learning and be present. The relationships I’ve built with students, particularly those who pursue OB-GYN, make me feel like I have contributed to their success.

Patsy Nguyen-Inthirath Administrative assistant, Department of Dermatology

What motivates you in your role each day?

What motivates me each day is the people I work with. My coworkers create a supportive and collaborative environment that encourages me to stay engaged, organized, and responsive. Also, being able to contribute to a positive experience for everyone in the clinic gives me a strong sense of purpose and keeps me motivated to perform my best.

What do you love most about your job?

I value being part of a team where my organizational skills and attention to detail help ensure operations run smoothly. I also enjoy the daily interaction with coworkers, as it creates a dynamic and meaningful work environment.

What is the most interesting project you’ve worked on in your role?

One of my favorite projects has been welcoming new faculty. I enjoy coordinating the onboarding process, ensuring all administrative details are handled efficiently, and helping new team members feel supported from their first day. Being part of their transition and setting them up for success is both rewarding and meaningful, as it contributes to a positive and well-organized work environment.

Tina Taylor Tisdale Senior associate director of programs, Department of Medicine

Describe your path to Emory and your current role.

I have worked in infectious diseases research since 2008. I was hired as a clinical research coordinator I in the SOM in 2015. Over the past ten years, I have worked with many amazing people, while growing as a clinical research professional. I received my Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) designation in 2017 and was part of the 2022 cohort of the Essentials of Leadership program. In 2023, I accepted the role of senior associate director of programs, where I manage The Study of Treatment and Reproductive Outcomes (The STAR Study), along with several other young women’s health studies.

What do you enjoy most about working at the School of Medicine?

The School of Medicine has a broad reach. As a result, we are highly collaborative across our research, educational, and clinical spaces. I have met so many people serving the needs of our community in metro Atlanta, while others advance science worldwide. We foster a culture of diversity, with innovation and implementation at the forefront.

What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in your role?

One challenge I’ve overcome in my role is my fear of public speaking. Am I still nervous sometimes? Yes. However, my role requires me to communicate with confidence. I’ve had to learn to pace myself when speaking to others to ensure my updates are clear and new information is clearly understood.

Kristina A. Mueller Lead research specialist, Department of Medicine

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about my job is that I am never bored. Every day brings new challenges and exciting findings in my research. Ensuring my lab operates at peak performance is fulfilling and the co-workers I spend time with always make me come to work with a smile. I am beyond grateful for all my job has offered me and continues to offer me.

What’s one recent work-related accomplishment or moment that made you feel proud?

I am proud of two recent professional accomplishments. One is that I have started working in both the Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL-2) and Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL-3) laboratories, both of which require specialized training. The other is that I have been highly productive on my current research project with our laboratory proteins, Poldip2 and RhoA, and received approval to present a poster at our Cardiology Research Day. To me, both of these accomplishments reflect the effort I have put into my work.

What’s one thing that helps you stay energized or inspired at work?

One thing that helps me stay energized at work is when our lab observes positive results that align with our hypotheses. In my lab, our research always keeps us thinking about what comes next and inspires us to think creatively. When an experiment shows what we expected, it motivates us to continue the project. If the lab and its projects are successful, then I know that my team and I are successful and that makes everything worth it.

Kawther Al Ksir Research projects manager, Department of Radiation Oncology

What does being part of the SOM community mean to you?

Being part of the SOM community means collaborating with a dedicated team focused on research and patient care. I share a commitment to supporting residents in the catchment area, advancing cancer research, and serving as a trusted resource for the broader community.

What do you love most about your job?

I appreciate the variety in my role, collaborating with researchers on projects that span quantitative and qualitative studies. This creates a dynamic and engaging environment. I also value connecting departments with the Health Services, Outcomes, and Policy (HSOP) Research division, helping promote meaningful connections among research ideas, people, and resources.

Describe your path to Emory and your current role.

My career began in nursing, which sparked my interest in patient-centered care and health outcomes. I earned a master’s in health sciences research and a doctorate in public health from East Tennessee State University. My focus on oncology and leadership in a nonprofit dedicated to radon risk reduction led me to my current role. As a research project manager, I balance hands-on research with leadership responsibilities, aligning with my academic background and personal interests.