UF recognizes Kristy Radeker and the Department’s Superior Accomplishments in Research

The Department of Emergency Medicine is honored to announce that Kristy L. Radeker, Senior Grants Specialist, was one of 13 College of Medicine employees to win a 2015 University of Florida Superior Accomplishment Award! The Superior Accomplishment Award Program recognizes staff members who contribute outstanding and meritorious service, efficiency and/or economy, or to the quality of life provided to students and employees. Recognition by one’s peers is the highest point of achievement. Division-level award recipients receive cash awards of $200 each, then compete for university-level awards, which offer eight $1,000 and eight $2,000 cash awards.

Kristy L. Radeker presented with her UF Superior Accomplishment Award by College of Medicine Dean, Dr. Michael L. Good.
Kristy L. Radeker presented with her UF Superior Accomplishment Award by College of Medicine Dean, Dr. Michael L. Good.

All of the Health Science Center Division-level Award winners were honored at a luncheon on March 18th. The following excerpt from the nomination packet was read just prior to presenting Kristy with her Superior Accomplishment Award certificate:

Our next winner is Kristy Radeker, a Senior Grants Specialist with the Department of Emergency Medicine. She established the Department’s research infrastructure and, therefore, enabled their research mission. Since the inception of the Department of Emergency Medicine, attempts at developing the infrastructure needed for a successful research program repeatedly failed. Kristy accomplished more last year than the Department had been able to do in the 12 years preceding her arrival. Funding grew over 20-fold, from $97,000 in 2012 to over $2 million in 2014! Her hard work succeeded in establishing ongoing and productive relationships with industry sponsors, including the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, which resulted in faculty being invited to submit articles and speak at national venues. She undertakes duties and assignments rarely considered in the realm of a senior grants specialist.

Joseph A Tyndall, MD, MPH, FACEP“I believe that she has a rare mix of talent, dedication and unbridled enthusiasm for her mission to support our Department and the University,” said ED Chairman, Dr. J. Adrian Tyndall. “She is a model employee and valued member of our University community. In my time as Chair at UF, and in my 18 years of professional activity as a faculty member, I have not come across a professional who has been able to make such a vital impact … in the period of time, and in the manner that Kristy has been able to accomplish.”

We are very fortunate to have Kristy as a member of our team! Her talent and skillful knowledge of all facets of pre- and post-award sponsored program administration have not only facilitated the successes noted above, but have also helped our Department become established as a well-known and respected research entity. Thanks to Kristy and the other devoted members of our growing Emergency Medicine Research team, the future of our Research Mission is exceptionally bright!