January 2007
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Black Achievers 2007
On January 11, Children's Hospital Boston will hold its annual Martin Luther King observance, honoring the work that Dr. King accomplished during his lifetime. "It's the one time of the year where all staff, regardless of rank, come together," says Jessica Henderson Daniel, PhD, director of Training in Psychology and chair of Children's MLK Observance Committee. "It's so well-attended that it's standing-room only." As has been the case for several years running, Children's is teaming up with the YMCA to present the Black Achiever Awards, which are given to two Black Children's employees who do outstanding work here, as well as contribute to their local communities. This year, the two winners are Stacey Williams, Pathology office manager, and Ronald Wilkinson, MA, MS, manager of Business Intelligence in Information Services (IS).
Williams started working as an administrative assistant in Pathology seven years ago. When a position opened up for Office Manager in her department, she applied for it but didn't wait to hear whether she got the job. Instead, she simply began to perform the job's duties. Her supervisor, John Baci, was impressed at her gumption. "Stacey is amazing. She's a friend to everybody and is as cool as a cucumber," he says. In her spare time, Williams volunteers for Boston Divaz MC, a motorcycle club dedicated to community service. In particular, she organizes food drives for battered women's shelters and volunteers in soup kitchens.
This year's other award winner, Wilkinson, has been working in IS for nearly 14 years. A graduate of Yale University, he's held several positions in the department over the years and is described by his supervisor as "tireless and scrupulous." Ever since he was a child, Wilkinson has been interested in computers. "I do what I do because I have a good time doing it," he says. "And it's great to work in a place that has the goals that Children's has. It's worthwhile." Along with his work in IS, Wilkinson serves on the Diversity and Cultural Competency Committee, and recently represented the hospital on the Mayor's Task Force for Diversity and Healthcare.
Wilkinson and Williams will receive their awards during the January 11 observance at 11 a.m. in Enders Auditorium. The celebration kicks off a new Legacy series at Children's: Each year, the hospital's MLK observance will celebrate a different legacy that Dr. King left behind. The theme of this year's event is "Legacy of Literacy." During the event, Professor Theresa Perry from Simmons College will give a speech, and Taleesha Scott, a singer from the New England Conservatory, will perform.
