UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Patricia Yarian, administrative support coordinator for the department of neural and behavioral sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine, has been named the recipient of the 2015 Staff Excellence Award.
Colleagues say Yarian can handle anything that is thrown at her. She’s seen plenty of change in her 24 years with the University, including the merger of two departments, extended periods of interim chairs and the recent surge in grant submissions, “all of which would not have been handled so well without her excellent work,” said a colleague.
Yarian treats all jobs and personnel equal. “There is no ‘small issue’ or ‘big issue’ or urgency based on ranks for Yarian,” said a colleague. “When you ask for her help, she is available with her full attention.”
Yarian manages an office staff with the “highest level of quality and efficiency” while providing a pleasant work environment. She’s also an asset to students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members, colleagues say. She listens, lends an understanding ear to the problem and is always part of the solution.
Budgets for numerous individual projects also fall within Yarian’s duties. She’s gifted with account management and is always accurate and punctual. She’s quick to spot budgetary problems early on, averting last-minute fiscal crises.
“When funds are well-handled, work gets done and opportunities are seized,” said a colleague.
Established in 1993, the Staff Excellence Award recognizes the consistently outstanding performance of a staff member who has demonstrated and practiced the philosophy of continuous quality improvement, team spirit, managerial excellence in the performance of assigned duties and leadership in establishing a quality service orientation, so as to benefit his or her unit and the University.