2006 Awards Ceremony

In recognition of his award-winning idea, Richard Byrom (second from right) of UK HealthCare IT Services, receives a $2,500 check from President Todd (far right), with Mrs. Todd (second from left) and Kim Wilson, associate vice president, Human Resources.

NEW! Click here to to view a complete photo gallery of the Make the Difference awards event.

Twelve employees, whose 13 suggestions were successfully implemented through Make the Difference, were recognized at the employee suggestion program's second annual awards event on Oct. 11.  The highlight of this event was the "surprise" award for Richard Byrom of UK HealthCare IT Services. Byrom was awarded $2,500 for his winning idea, which was the biggest money-saver in the two-year history of the Make the Difference program.

Byrom recommended purchasing a maintenance agreement for the Medical Center's time clocks, which should save approximately $25,000 a year. Over 640 suggestions have been received since the Make the Difference Employee Suggestion Awards Program was established in July 2004 with the sponsorship and support of President Lee T. Todd, Jr. and his executive cabinet.

The Make the Difference program was designed to support UK's strategic plan and produce continuous improvements by encouraging UK faculty and staff to contribute ideas that would help the university reduce expenses, generate revenue, as well as improve services and make safety improvements.

“Our employee suggestion program speaks to me on a number of levels,” Todd said at the annual awards ceremony. “First, it challenges UK faculty and staff members to be more involved in their working environments by seeking out improvements. It also encourages employees to examine their own jobs, using their insight and expertise to better the university.

“Most importantly, the program provides our employees with an avenue to voice their ideas. Some of the best and most

proactive ideas come from those who perform in that particular area every day.

“In order to continue improving and ultimately reach our goal of being a Top 20 university, we must operate smarter and more efficiently. In order to do that, we need the help of every employee at this university,” said Todd.

Kurt Krouse, a registered nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of the UK Chandler Hospital, submitted seven suggestions in the 2005-2006 fiscal year, the most submitted during this time period.

During the last fiscal year, a total of 192 individual departments throughout the university participated in the Make the Difference program with the departments of Forestry and Diagnostic Radiology tying with the most suggestions – at 12 each.

Ninety-five program evaluators throughout the university were kept busy as well. Murray Clark of Hospital Administration personally evaluated 12 suggestions, the greatest number examined by any suggestion evaluator.

“President Todd's continuous involvement and support of this program has sent a clear message that our ideas are important in achieving this university's goals,” said Kim Wilson, associate vice president for Human Resources.

“Our ability to reduce expenses, increase efficiency, and foster innovation is vital to our Top 20 status. I hope all employees of this great university will join me in finding improvements this next year, regardless of how big or small they may seem – we need them all,” said Todd.

To learn more about the Make the Difference program, including idea submission guidelines and forms, click here.

– Gail Hairston, UK Public Relations