Concorde Staff
Concorde recently recognized the outstanding work of faculty and staff through its annual awards ceremony. Each of this year’s honorees exemplify Concorde’s mission and the core values of integrity, respect for the individual, teamwork, customer service, and achievement.
“Honorees this year demonstrate the deep commitment Concorde has for student support and graduate success—from the first point of contact with prospective students through graduation and beyond,” said Kevin Prehn, president of Concorde Career Colleges. “My heartfelt congratulations to the honorees—and all of our faculty and staff—who go above and beyond for our students each and every day.”
Torch Awards
The highest honor at Concorde, the Torch Award goes to one faculty or staff member at each location who consistently demonstrates behavior that supports Concorde’s values and creates positive contributions and results. A plaque of the Torch recipient is added to the Wall of Fame at each location.
Honorees:
California
Manal Gales, nursing program simulation lab coordinator, Garden Grove
Albert Zesatti, senior financial aid advisor, North Hollywood
Cheryl Keim, student affairs senior graduate employment specialist, San Bernardino
Lynsy Griebel, student affairs re-entry advisor, San Diego
Colorado
Leslie Morgan, respiratory therapy program director of clinical education, Aurora
Florida
Ben Robinson, academic technology and media coordinator, Jacksonville
Veronica Nieto-Diaz, physical therapist assistant program director, Miramar
Sharlene Muhammad, student affairs senior graduate employment specialist, Orlando
Carolyn Smith, campus administrative assistant, Tampa
Mississippi
Samantha Carroll, student affairs graduate employment specialist, Southaven
Missouri
Lisa Balzaretti, senior academic dean, Kansas City
Oregon
Daniel Patterson, security guard, Portland
Tennessee
Chandra Stephens, senior financial aid advisor, Memphis
Texas
Christine Benner, director of student affairs, Dallas
Jane Lam, director of financial aid, Grand Prairie
Erica Antwine, senior campus administrative assistant, San Antonio
Campus Support Center
Michelle Williams, customer relationship management (CRM) administrator
Golden Apple Awards
Program directors and instructors are honored at each of Concorde’s campuses.
Nominations for each award are co-authored by the local campus president and academic dean. Student satisfaction and strong program outcomes are among the selection criteria.
Honorees:
California
Tami Martin, physical therapist assistant program instructor, Garden Grove
Latoya Rush, surgical technology program director, North Hollywood
Hasmik Sargsyan, nursing program instructor, North Hollywood
Enid Jimenez, surgical technology program director, San Bernardino
Chad Wiescinski, respiratory therapy program instructor, San Bernardino
Kimberly Pennington, dental hygiene program director, San Diego
Tameka Arceneaux, medical assistant program instructor, San Diego
Colorado
Jeanette Rodriguez, nursing program director, Aurora
Yvonne Badley, medical assistant program instructor, Aurora
Florida
Janet Alford, dental assistant program director, Jacksonville
Traci Fulton, medical assistant program instructor, Jacksonville
Kathrin Panos, surgical technology program director, Miramar
Jessielyn Figueroa, physical therapist assistant program instructor, Miramar
Camille Wright, medical assistant program director, Orlando
Jaleesa Barclay, dental assistant program instructor, Orlando
Colette Stewart, dental hygiene program director, Tampa
Tiara Holloway, medical assistant program instructor, Tampa
Mississippi
Veronica Davis, dental assistant program director, Southaven
Eric Coats, dental assistant program instructor, Southaven
Missouri
Jacky Kent, physical therapist assistant program director, Kansas City
Daniel Samples Thieman, diagnostic medical sonography program instructor, Kansas City
Oregon
Josh Cushing, respiratory therapy program director of clinical education, Portland
Tennessee
Melissa Yarbro, radiologic technology program director, Memphis
Tamela Meade, massage therapy program instructor, Memphis
Texas
Lourdes Fuentez, medical assistant program director, Grand Prairie
Travis Miday, medical assistant program instructor, Grand Prairie
Tiffany Havard, nursing program assistant director, Dallas
Jamie Jackson, physical therapist assistant program instructor, Dallas
Andre Anyabena, medical assistant program director, San Antonio
Billie Garcia, surgical technology program clinical coordinator, San Antonio
Sherpa Award
The Sherpa Award is named for the elite Himalayan mountaineers who serve as guides through the peaks and passes in the region, particularly for expeditions that endure the extreme altitudes of Mount Everest. Their help is essential for successful expeditions.
The award is given to the collective members of a home office department whose technical support and expertise help ensure that all of Concorde’s schools “reach the summit.” The department honored this year is Compliance.
