Staff Council

Welcome to the Staff Council — a space for Robert Wood Johnson Medical School staff to voice concerns, make recommendations, and propose new ideas. Our council members act as liaison between staff and administration, to work together in addressing suggestions and issues and developing best solutions for the majority. We proudly celebrate the great work of our diverse medical school staff, provide opportunities to come together as a community, and offer resources and tips to help each other thrive.

Programs and Initiatives

Employee of the Month

The Employee of the Month recognizes staff who exemplify inspiring characteristics and an unwavering commitment to Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Nominate an outstanding individual who embodies the professional integrity and personal excellence that defines the heart of our community.

Cheers4Peers

The Cheers4Peers Program helps us share appreciation and gratitude for fellow co-workers who display positive and supportive attitudes at work. The program allows staff to recognize the efforts of fellow employees across the four mission areas of the school.

A smiling employee sits at a desk in front of a laptop

Wellness at Work

Discover wellness resources focused on creating a culture of health and well-being throughout the medical school. Our goal is to promote healthy lifestyles that serve as the foundation for a positive, successful, supportive, energetic, and well workplace. (NetID Required)

Photo of volunteers giving their time to community partners

Community Outreach

The Staff Council encourages a culture of giving back by utilizing our passion, business skills and expertise to make meaningful contributions in our community. The Staff Council Community Involvement Committee provides volunteer opportunities with our community partners and community organizations for faculty and staff.

A performer holds bright pink fans during an Expressions of Me event

Equity & Inclusion

The Staff Council is committed to supporting equity and inclusion at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School with resources, programs, and events, such as the Expressions of Me initiative.

Employee Retirements

Retirement is a vitally important stage of life and can be one of the most fulfilling, as a chance for growth, exploration, and personal fulfillment. We congratulate our colleagues on reaching this significant milestone and wish retirees a future of peace, health, and happiness.

Who We Are

Rhonda M. Smith, PhD

Associate Dean for Faculty and Staff Affairs

Emailmccathrm@rwjms.rutgers.edu

Faith Jackson

Assistant Manager OIT and Staff Council Chair

Emailfj94@rwjms.rutgers.edu

Susan Giordano, BA

Program Director, Homeless & Indigent Population Health Outreach Project (HIPHOP) and Staff Council Vice Chair

Emailsusan.giordano@rwjms.rutgers.edu

Staff Council Members 2024-2025

Membership to the Staff Council is open to all benefits-eligible staff of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Andrea Billiteri
Administrator, Medicine
Committees: Events; Peer Mentoring

Deneen K. Blow
Sr. Director of Administration, Pathology
Committees:

Kathleen Brown
Practice Manager, Surgery
Committees:

Caryn Carroll
Prinicipal Management Assistant, Basic Science Department
Committees: Employee of the Month

Alison Clarke
Program Coordinator, Student Affairs
Committees: Staff Exit Interviews; Staff Appreciation Co-Coordinator; Events

Patricia Dooley Budsock
Program Manager, Addiction Psychiatry
Committees: Cheers4Peers; Events; Employee of the Month

Beth Dillon
Program Administrator, OBGYN
Committees: Staff Exit Interviews; Events

Traci Drakeford
Program Manager, CINJ-Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Committees: Cheers4Peers

Marsha Gordon
Executive Director, CARE-PC
Research Division Administrator, Family Medicine/Community Health
Committees: Cheers4Peers Coordinator; Community Outreach

Mary Green
Program Manager, Office of Education
Committees: Employee of the Month

Iesha Howard
Medical Services Assistant, RHG-RWJ Medicine Clinic
Committees: Staff Appreciation; Peer Mentoring; Events Co-Coordinator

Victoria Joseph, MPA, PMP
Project Manager, Ambulatory Care Services
Committees: Events; Community Outreach; Cheers4Peers

Shera Maples
Program Coordinator, Anesthesiology
Committees: Employee of the Month; Community Outreach

Lauren Marshall
Program Manager, Marketing
Committees: Staff Appreciation; Events

Bernice Medina
Program Coordinator, Faculty and Staff Affairs
Committees: Wellness Fair Coordinator; Staff Exit Interviews; Community Outreach; Events

Kathy-Ann Mitchell
Manager of Education Administration, Office of Education
Committees: Events

Sandee Moroso-Fela
Program Manager, Pediatrics
Committees: Staff Exit Interviews; Events

Anna Alcantara Nunez
Program Coordinator, Faculty and Staff Affairs
Committees: Staff Exit Interviews, Peer Mentoring, Events, Wellness Fair

Carmen Nunez
Management Assistant, Office of Education
Committees: Community Outreach

Maricel Quiñones
Program Assistant, Pediatrics PopQuIS
Committees:

Lauren Ramos
Program Supervisor, Colorectal Surgery
Committees: Peer Mentoring Coordinator; Employee of the Month; Staff Exit Interviews; Events; Community Outreach

Latisha Rosa
Clinic Services Rep II, Psychiatry Clinic
Committees: Events

Asia Silvera
Senior Practice Manager, RWJ Clinic Management
Committees: Events; Peer Mentoring

Letice Smith
Program Assistant, Basic Science Department
Committees: Outreach, Events

Roger Thornton
Program Coordinator, Faculty and Staff Affairs
Committees: Employee of the Month Coordinator; Wellness Fair Co-Coordinator; Events

Sharyce Toppin
Executive Assistant to Chairman; Manager of Administrative Services, Dept. of Neurology
Committees: Community Outreach

Barbara Tsounis
Staff Nurse
Clinical Research Center
Committees:

Missy Wimbush
Program Manager, Office of Education
Committees: Peer Mentoring

Winter Wonderland Holiday Party 2024

The Winter Wonderland Holiday Party on December 6, 2024 at the Somerville Elks Banquet Hall was a great success! Almost 80 guests attended - enjoying drinks, dinner, dancing and a 360 photobooth!
Thank you to Ieasha Howard for her hard work on this event! Happy Holidays Everyone!

Dean's Staff Appreciation Luncheons

Hundreds of individuals from the medical school community enjoyed lunch courtesy of Dean Amy P. Murtha, MD, on December 4 in Piscataway and December 6 in New Brunswick, in celebration of the work and dedication of faculty and staff at the medical school. Thank you for all that you do!

A photo collage of staff at a Staff Appreciation Luncheon

Mission

The Staff Council will provide medical school employees with a forum for raising, discussing, and making recommendations on current policy and procedures to enable them to better serve the school. The council is committed to assessing, prioritizing, and communicating staff needs, and responding to those needs through the implementation of developmental programs and job enhancing initiatives.

Council Focus

Serve in an advisory capacity to the dean.
Enhance the exchange of information among staff, as well as between employees at the school.
Establish standing and subcommittees as appropriate to perform the council's functions.
Recommend staff to the dean for appointment to committees.
Maintain a supportive and rewarding workplace for staff.
Meet to discuss opinions, concerns, and recommendations through majority agreement to achieve improvements.

Get Involved

We're all in this together — all committed to building community and helping people realize their full potential. There are many ways to get involved and membership is open to all benefits-eligible medical school staff. Contact us to learn how you can be part of our work.

Have a question, comment, or concern? We want to hear about it.