Employee Recognition Program Guidelines

Employee of the Quarter graphic

The Department of Medicine Employee of the Quarter program was established in 2008 to showcase employees who have shown exemplary strides in contributing to the Department of Medicine and to the MUSC community. Such individuals stand out among their peers not only for the successful execution of their work assignments, but also because of their dedication, creativity, and actions toward improving the atmosphere we all work in, and increasing the welfare of patients and fellow staff members and faculty. 

Nomination Criteria/Process:

The Department will select up to four outstanding non-faculty employees each quarter. Only individuals and not groups can be nominated.

The program requires thoroughly-detailed nominations (at least 2 paragraphs) to be competitive. Meaningful nominations describe specifics of how the MUSC Department of Medicine staff member exemplifies service excellence.

Above and Beyond: This program is intended to recognize a DOM staff employee who demonstrates exceptional capabilities extending above and beyond his/her normal job expectations. Each nominee should excel in one or more of the following competencies and values:

  • Produce extraordinary outcomes;
  • Advance efforts that reflect MUSC's Values: Integrity, Compassion, Innovation, Collaboration and Respect
  • Implement a key initiative or process improvement;
  • Deliver extraordinary customer service;
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedication;
  • Demonstrate exemplary teamwork/collaborative spirit; and/or
  • Create a stronger sense of department and/or College/University community.

Submission Process: Nominations may be submitted by anyone in the Department of Medicine or MUSC. Please use the designated online form to submit nominations.

Eligible employees: Individual staff in all non-physician categories (i.e. research, administrative, clinical including APP’s, classified). Former Employee of the Quarter winners are eligible for subsequent nomination twelve (12) months following selection.

Ineligible employees: Trainees (residents, fellows, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students), faculty, work teams, selection committee members, previous Employee of the Quarter winners form the past 12 months, temporary agency employees, and employees under disciplinary action or review. Note: Nominations do not roll-over, so please re-submit nominations for employees who have not won.

Nomination Periods: All entries must be received by the last day of each period listed below. Late entries will be reviewed the following quarter.

The FY25 nomination periods are as follows:

  • Q1 FY25: August 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2024
  • Q2 FY25: Oct. 1, 2024 – Nov 30, 2024
  • Q3 FY25: Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025
  • Q4 FY25: Feb. 1, 2025 – March 30, 2025

Committee Selection:

Employee of the Quarter Committee Selection Process: The EOQ Selection Committee shall be composed of volunteers from the Employee of the Quarter winners from the previous fiscal year. This committee is formed at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Employee of the Year Committee Selection Process: At the END of each fiscal year, a separate, committee of DOM members is selected to review the Employee of the Quarter winner nominations from that year. The EOY Selection Committee shall be composed of volunteers from the previous Employee of the Year and Medicine Excellence winners still employed in the DOM.

Employees of the Quarter Selection:

All Employee of the Quarter nominations are blinded and sent to the Selection Committee to review. Nominations are scored on a 1-4 rating scale that is based on pre-determined criteria. The scores are tallied and averaged and the four nominees with the highest average are considered the Employee of the Quarter winners. In the case of a tie, there may be more than four.

Note: Nominations do not roll-over, so please re-submit your nominations for employees who have not won.

Employees of the Year Selection:

All Employee of the Quarter Winner nominations from the fiscal year are blinded and sent to the Selection Committee to review.

Nominations are scored on a 1-5 rating scale that is based on pre-determined criteria. The scores are tallied and averaged. The nominee with the highest average is considered the Employee of the Year winner. In the case of a tie, there may be more than one Employee of the Year winner.

Awards:

Employee of the Quarter:

  • Winners receive $200, a certificate, and are acknowledged at a quarterly virtual celebration and on the website/blog.
  • Nominees and Winners are featured on the DOM blog and Facebook page under the "Staff Spotlight" series.
  • Copies of the employee’s nominations are sent via email to the employee with their supervisor, Division Administrator, and Division Director copied after the winners have been announced.
  • Celebration Details:
    • The Communications Manager coordinates the virtual celebration, scheduling with Division and Department leadership.
    • A generic invite is sent to key colleagues/supervisors and Division faculty/staff, keeping the event a surprise for the winner.
    • The Chair announces the winner and reads highlights from their nominations during the virtual celebration.

Employee of the Year:

  • The Employee of the Year winner(s) is selected from the pool of quarterly winners at the end of the fiscal year.
  • The winner(s) is kept anonymous and announced at the Annual Department of Medicine Awards Day ceremony held in June.
  • Employee of the Year winners will receive $1000, a plaque, and will be acknowledged at the Annual Department of Medicine Awards Day ceremony held in June.