Administrative Director, Psychiatry

Nominated by Neha Jain, Clinical Service Chief for Outpatient Services, and David Steffens, Chair, Department of Psychiatry

Leslie Bell exemplifies the very best of servant leadership at UConn Health. Since joining the Department of Psychiatry, Leslie has distinguished herself as a steady, trusted leader whose commitment to people, mission, and excellence is evident in everything she does.

Nominated by Dr. Neha Jain and Dr. David Steffens, Leslie is recognized for her exceptional communication skills, problem-solving ability, and deep dedication to supporting faculty, staff, and patients alike. She is widely known as a “go-to” leader — someone who steps in with clarity and confidence during times of change, and who ensures that teams feel supported as they work to deliver outstanding clinical care.

In Senior Leader feedback, Caryl Ryan, COO and Chief Nursing Officer for John Dempsey Hospital, described Leslie as the embodiment of servant leadership — someone whose personal integrity, work ethic, and commitment to excellence place her in a category of her own. From her longstanding contributions in the Cancer Center to her current leadership in Psychiatry, Leslie’s influence continues to elevate those around her.

What truly sets Leslie apart is how she leads: with compassion, honesty, and a genuine desire to serve. Her work consistently strengthens teams, improves patient experiences, and advances UConn Health’s mission in meaningful and lasting ways.

“Leslie represents the very definition of servant leadership at UConn Health.”

Administrative Manager, Canton Urgent Care

Nominated by Anne Horbatuck, VP/COO Ambulatory Services and UMG Administration

Mary Hernandez is a steadfast leader whose dedication to patient-centered care, operational excellence, and community well-being reflects the heart of UConn Health’s mission. Over the past two years, Mary has navigated significant facilities and operational challenges, never settling for substandard solutions. She has worked tirelessly with internal partners, external stakeholders, and community organizations to ensure safe, high-quality care environments for patients and staff — often following up before and after hours to see issues through to resolution.

Nominated by Anne Horbatuck, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Ambulatory Services, Mary is recognized as an exceptional administrator and leader who brings calm, professionalism, and resolve to even the most complex environments. As Administrative Manager for Canton Family Medicine and Urgent Care, Mary oversees operations in settings marked by constant change — and does so with an unwavering commitment to both her teams and the patients they serve.

Beyond operations, Mary’s passion for community health is unmistakable. She has led large-scale flu clinics serving hundreds of community members and spearheaded food and supply drives in response to reduced SNAP benefits, extending UConn Health’s mission well beyond clinic walls. These initiatives reflect her belief that healthcare leadership includes caring for the broader communities we serve.

Anne Horbatuck shared that Mary brings a sense of calm and stability during times of change and is a pleasure to work with — a leader who consistently goes above and beyond to support faculty, staff, and patients alike. Through her resilience, compassion, and unwavering focus on excellence, Mary Hernandez continues to strengthen UConn Health’s connection to the communities it serves.

“A calm and steady leader in times of constant change.”

Assoc Prof/Basic Sci, Immunology 

Nominated by Patrick Murphy, Director, Ctr Vascular Biology Interim 

Dr. Evan Jellison exemplifies quiet excellence — the kind of behind-the-scenes leadership that profoundly shapes research, education, and patient care across UConn Health.

Nominated by Patrick Murphy, Director of the Center for Vascular Biology, Dr. Jellison is recognized for his extraordinary dedication to advancing scientific rigor and supporting the success of students, faculty, and clinical collaborators. As Director of the Flow Cytometry Core, Evan is widely known for his responsiveness, expertise, and willingness to go far beyond expectations to ensure high-quality outcomes.

Time and again, Dr. Jellison has made the difference between failed and successful experiments, often staying late, providing guidance across competing priorities, and mentoring new users with patience and enthusiasm. His daily emphasis on precision, diligence, and good science has directly contributed to countless publications, theses, and dissertations — impacts that will follow students and researchers throughout their careers.

Senior Leader feedback, provided by Dr. Anthony Vella and approved by Dr. Bruce Liang, highlights Evan’s humility, integrity, and lasting influence. In addition to his research leadership, Evan played a critical role in establishing a clinical flow cytometry facility within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine — an effort that improved patient care while saving the institution significant costs.

Dr. Jellison’s contributions extend far beyond his formal role. Without seeking recognition, he has helped UConn Health reach higher standards of excellence through mentorship, innovation, and unwavering commitment to mission. His leadership reminds us that some of the most impactful work happens quietly — but leaves a lasting legacy.

“A behind-the-scenes leader whose impact is felt across generations.”

Executive Assistant, IT Enterprise Technology

Nominated by Alka Sharma, Director, Info Technology, and Ingrid Napoletano, Asst Vice President, IT Clinical Systems

Kristy Smith is widely known as the heartbeat of IT at UConn Health — a trusted connector whose energy, professionalism, and unwavering dedication bring people together and keep complex systems moving forward.

Nominated by Alka Sharma, Director of Information Technology, and Ingrid Napoletano, Asst VP of IT Clinical Systems, Kristy is recognized for her extraordinary ability to support leaders, staff, and external partners with clarity, care, and precision. As Executive Assistant to the CIO and IT leadership team, Kristy plays a central role in coordinating large-scale initiatives, managing operational details, and ensuring that teams remain aligned and responsive.

Senior Leader Rick McCarthy, Chief Information Officer, described Kristy as invaluable to the organization — a leader without a formal title whose impact is felt across the entire IT department and beyond. From facilitating Epic certification courses to guiding staff toward resources, coordinating hiring efforts, and supporting colleagues during difficult personal moments, Kristy consistently leads through action.

Kristy’s influence extends to culture as much as operations. She brings energy and connection to the workplace, ensuring that milestones are celebrated and individuals feel seen and valued. Whether answering late-night calls, organizing recognition moments, or supporting patient inquiries that find their way to IT, Kristy approaches every interaction with professionalism and compassion.

Through her dedication, integrity, and positive spirit, Kristy Smith helps create the kind of supportive, people-centered environment that allows UConn Health to thrive.

“The heartbeat of IT at UConn Health.”

Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO)

Nominated by Patti Siegel, Director of IT Inpatient Applications, and Amy Borenski, Director of IT Business Intelligence

Dr. Dirk Stanley is a mission-driven leader whose work sits at the critical intersection of clinical care, technology, and innovation — advancing patient outcomes while empowering teams across UConn Health. Nominated by Patti Siegel and Amy Borenski, Dr. Stanley is recognized for his exceptional ability to bridge clinical insight and informatics expertise. As Chief Medical Information Officer, he plays a pivotal role in designing systems and workflows that support safe, efficient, and high-quality care.

Dr. Stanley’s leadership has been instrumental in standardizing order sets, refining clinical workflows, and advancing initiatives such as the Unfractionated IV Heparin project — efforts that have reduced risk and improved care for high-risk patients. His collaborative approach ensures that technology solutions reflect the real-world needs of clinicians and staff.

Senior Leader Rick McCarthy highlighted Dr. Stanley’s professionalism, integrity, and unmatched informatics knowledge. His attention to detail and ability to anticipate downstream impacts allow teams to implement new systems and service lines with confidence and clarity.

Beyond UConn Health, Dr. Stanley’s contributions have earned national recognition through professional organizations and healthcare forums, reflecting his commitment to advancing the field of clinical informatics. Yet at the heart of his work remains a simple focus: improving outcomes for patients and supporting those who care for them.

“Advancing patient care through thoughtful, data-driven leadership.”