OKLAHOMA CITY — The Regents’ Award for Superior Staff at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has been presented to Hee Sun Kim-Suh, chemotherapy coordinator for Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine.

The OU Board of Regents established the $2,000 award in 1988 to recognize outstanding contributions made by OU staff members whose performance, service activities and dedication have enhanced the mission of the university. The award was presented during the Health Sciences Center staff awards ceremony April 30.

Kim-Suh has served on the Gynecologic Oncology staff for almost 17 years. In her position as chemotherapy coordinator, she is involved in every aspect of the practice, from patient care and research to education and administration. She has earned a national reputation for her expertise, and her advice is frequently sought by cancer centers around the nation. In her role as a member of the National Cancer Institute audit team, she travels throughout the country to advise and inspect other cancer institutions. She will soon travel to Korea to perform her first international audit.

In his nomination letter, Robert Mannel, director of the OU Cancer Institute, praised Kim-Suh for her problem-solving skills and her interaction with patients. He writes, “If there are problems with billing and compliance in chemotherapy, staff interaction amongst the nurses or ancillary staff, or quality in patient care, Hee Sun is the one who is put in charge of resolving the issue.”

Mannel goes on to applaud Kim-Suh for her exemplary dedication. “I can say without hesitation that she has and continues to consistently perform well beyond any expectations of her job. Indeed, there is not an adequate job title for Hee Sun, as she has carved out her own niche in this complex university environment. But when all is said and done, she is driven by one common theme — her unwavering commitment to women with cancer and her fervent belief that her commitment to excellence will impact someone’s life in a positive direction.”

In his nomination letter, D. Scott McMeekin, section chief of Gynecologic Oncology, salutes Kim-Suh as “one of the most outstanding nurses I have ever worked with.” He praises her ability to skillfully manage her myriad of responsibilities, writing, “Of all the hats that Hee Sun wears on a day-to-day basis, she excels as a juggler, moving from one area of our practice to another without missing a beat.”

McMeekin adds, “She has exceptional people management and organizational skills, and deals with people in a compassionate and fair manner.”