Meet the Finalists for the Inaugural Stony Awards

Stony Brook will roll out the red carpet to recognize exceptional employees at the Stony Awards on November 29.

The inaugural awards ceremony will celebrate employees nominated by their peers and selected by leadership as exemplifying the values we stand for and the accomplishments we achieve, together. They recognize exceptional individuals who are committed to Stony Brook’s mission and values, consistently going above and beyond in their jobs.

“During the nomination process for the inaugural awards, 135 submissions were received recognizing excellence, service and dedication. Letters of support consistently praised nominees for their exceptional commitment, contributions and character,” McInnis said in her November 8 message to the SBU community.

“I am grateful to The Stony Awards selection committee as well as those colleagues who worked throughout the summer to develop our new employee recognition programs,” the president added. “To our finalists and all who were nominated, congratulations and thank you for your dedication and commitment to Stony Brook.”

The finalists in each category are:

President’s Award for Nurturing a Welcoming, Inclusive Campus Culture
This award recognizes an employee nominated by faculty, staff or administration for demonstrating exceptional commitment to promoting and advancing the University’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. 

Omar Badessi
Sara Cernadas-Martin, MD
Jinyoung Jin
Mitchell Trinka

President’s Award for Excellence in Patient Service
This award honors one or more employees who exemplify extraordinary human compassion and outstanding patient service.

Margaret Brand, RN
Anupama Chawla, MD
Sujatha Palat, MD
Stony Brook Cancer Center

Excellence in Leadership Award
This award recognizes all employees who serve as managers or supervisors for outstanding leadership in their roles in service to the University and recognizes an employee who lives the University’s mission and is a role model who embodies all of our core values.

Martha Furie, PhD
Heather A. Montague
Marianna Savoca, PhD
Lawrence M. Zacarese, JD

Community Award
The Community Award honors one or more employees involved in our community, both on and off campus, who impact the lives of others who teach, work and learn at Stony Brook University and through their own actions, inspire others to make a difference.

Amanda Flanagan
Christine Marsh
Peter Morelli, MD
Urszula Zalewski

SB YOU Award
The SB YOU award celebrates University employees who exemplify or inspire the positive behaviors and beliefs that embody the mission and values of Stony Brook.

Jackie Castaldo
Mei Lin (Ete) Chan-Lo, PhD
Srinivas Pentyala, PhD

The winner of the President’s Stony Brook Champion Award will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, November 29 at 5:30 pm at Flowerfield in Saint James. The awards ceremony and dinner are by invitation only.

For complete award descriptions and bios of all of the finalists, visit the Stony Awards website.