Three staff were honored for their work and impact in patient counseling, occupational therapy student services and gerontology.

As a national leader in health education, the VCU College of Health Professions didn’t just talk the talk – it walked the walk at its third annual Staff Appreciation event. The event buzzed with cheers, heartfelt words and warm embraces as three women were celebrated for their outstanding work shaping the experiences of students, patients and the broader community.

Leaders took to the microphone to share praise and gratitude – spotlighting  the impact of these staff members and the heart they bring to the college every day.

“There is no way we could be as successful as a CHP community as we are now without our staff, who are the backbone of everything that we do. With you, we do and we can achieve great things and have great success,” said Amy R. Darragh, Ph.D., who became dean in August.

“What drew me here was the people. Everyone was so genuine, so warm and so focused on impact, on learners, on each other, on lifting the community, that I just felt I didn't want to be anywhere else.”

The celebration, held Oct. 17 at the college, also marked the introduction of the Sustained Impact Award, which was given to an exceptional staff member who consistently exhibits the highest level of excellence year after year. Honorees for all awards were selected by the CHP’s Awards Committee and Staff Advisory Council.

Brenda Brown, Staff Excellence Customer Service Winner

Brenda Brown, program manager for the Department of Patient Counseling, received the Staff Excellence in Customer Service Award. Brown has been with CHP for 13 years, during which she has provided exceptional support to faculty, staff and students alike. Her outstanding contributions over the years made her more than deserving of the honor, leaders said.

“I will remember this award by talking to my grandchildren about what it's like to be a part of something that's bigger than yourself,” Brown said. “Talking to my grandchildren about how important it is, no matter what you're doing, that it's not really about the day-to-day tasks. It's more about who you're meeting along the way, who you're engaging with, who you're building trust with and who you can count on when you're doing anything.”

Before presenting the award, Rev. Marilyn J.D. Barnes, interim associate dean of inclusive excellence and belonging, spoke about Brown’s unwavering commitment to equity and justice.

“At her core, Brenda's commitment to equity and justice drives everything she does,” Barnes said. “Brenda's being is doing. Her presence is an action in itself, an embodiment of compassion, care and collaboration. Her compassion shines in the way she engages with everyone she encounters. She has a way of making people feel truly seen and heard.”

Barnes added a heartfelt conclusion: “Thank you for being who you are and for making our community stronger, more compassionate and more just. Congratulations.”

Sara Kohout, Staff Excellence in Outstanding Achievement Award Winner

The second awardee was Sara Kohout, student services administrator in the Department of Occupational Therapy. She received the Staff Excellence in Outstanding Achievement Award, which is given to a staff member “who represents the values and mission of their department, unit and the college.” Since joining the college in 2020, Kohout has made a significant impact on both current and prospective students. 

“I just love everyone that I work with, so it really feels good to be appreciated for just being me,” Kohout said. “It feels really humbling. I just come into work and do the best that I can do every day, and to be recognized for the work that I do just feels really lovely. It feels really great to have these kinds of people that I really respect and appreciate supporting me in that way.”

It feels really humbling. I just come into work and do the best that I can do every day, and so to be recognized for the work that I do, just feels really lovely. It feels really great to have these kinds of people that I really respect and appreciate supporting me in that way.”

Carole Ivey, Ph.D., chair of occupational therapy, spoke about Kohout’s influence on the department.

“Sara really changed the way that we were operating to support students,” Ivey said. “She just had this initiative and brought ideas to do these things. She also manages over 200 clinical rotations annually. Her leadership, innovation and dedication to student success and to staff well-being has had a transformative impact on our department and the college, and our students. Thank you, Sara.”

Kohout’s humility and gratitude shone through as she reflected on the honor. “I'm incredibly grateful to get to work with amazing people every day. And it really is an honor and a blessing to be able to do that,” she said.

Courtney O’Hara, Sustained Impact Award winner

Courtney O’Hara, assistant director of the Abuse in Later Life Project at the Virginia Center on Aging (VCoA), received the Sustained Impact Award. The nine-year CHP staffer has dedicated her career to advocating for older adults and protecting those at risk of elder abuse. Her work with the Central Virginia Task Force on Domestic Violence in Later Life, a local partnership since 1998, has significantly improved the community response to women aged 50 and older who experience domestic, sexual or family violence. O’Hara collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and provides statewide training and technical support.

“I was pretty shocked and really humbled, because it is truly a team effort, the work that we do at the Center on Aging,” O’Hara said. “I just feel really lucky to be with a great group of people who make coming to work really fun. And I do think what is interesting about our work is because it is more community engagement.”

At the event, Tracey Gendron, Ph.D., chair and professor of gerontology and executive director of VCoA, praised O’Hara’s transformative contributions to the field of elder care.

“The work that Courtney does makes Virginia a safe place for people to live at all ages,” Gendron said. “Courtney has spent her career advocating for older adults, but more than that, she has spent her career advocating for people either experiencing or at risk of experiencing elder abuse – which is a topic that isn't talked about as much as it should be. Her work trains thousands of people, including first responders.”

Gendron also noted the broader influence of O’Hara’s efforts. “What started as a smaller program within the Center on Aging has now transformed, over the past couple of years, into consecutive million-dollar grants coming into our department.”

O’Hara also reflected on her team’s mission. “We're everywhere, trying to touch as many people in the commonwealth as possible and striving for our mission, which is to make Virginia a great place to grow old.”

College’s Supportive and Welcoming Culture

For many, the event was a reflection of the college’s supportive culture, as honorees highlighted the sense of community that supports their work.

“Celebrating our people who make the college such an inviting, warm, welcoming community is critical for enabling us to continue this kind of work environment and this kind of culture that says, ‘Yes, we believe in our people. People are most important and so yes, let's celebrate them, let's, let's lift them up, and let's inspire each other to lift each other up, because that is  what brings a community together.” Darragh said.

By Dan Carrigan