Reward & Recognition

It's pretty simply really, Julie Zetterman -- admininstrator in the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery -- does what needs to be done.

She serves the dual role of department administrator and clinical manager.

That means on a given day she may develop strategic plans, perform financial functions, ensure patient needs are met and/or serve as Gappetto to a 3-foot tall red puppet nose at local elementary schools. (EDITOR'S NOTE: The nose comes complete with balloon boogers and confetti "germs.")

"I take what I do very seriously," Zetterman said. Even if it means she has to get a little silly, as is the case when she takes the puppet -- known as "Dr. Knows" -- to schools as part of the department's community educational efforts.

Her work ethic, Zetterman said, came from her parents. Her father owned and operated a successful painting operation and her mother has been a foster parent for more than 40 years.

Her approach to work combined with a incessant desire to do things in better ways have earned Zetterman the Chancellor's Gold 'U' Award for the month of May.

Hired in 2002 to run the department's day to day operations, she has fans among her superiors as well as those who report to her.

A thorough administrator who gives her staff the tools they need to succeed, Zetterman earned praise for solution-orientated approach to management.

"When Julie was hired, she had the daunting task of making the department run more efficiently, economically and profitably," her nominator wrote. "I believe that in the past five years, Julie has accomplished the job she was hired for and then some."

Below, the Gold 'U' recipient reflects on her work at UNMC and her approach to work and life:

"There isn't a typical day. I'm all over the place - it's hard to describe what I do. I've never done the same day twice, which is good because I get bored really easily."

"Basically -- I view myself as a central funnel. My responsibility is not necessarily to do it all but to make sure it gets done and done correctly. Thankfully, I have a wonderful group of people that makes this stuff happen. I don't do any of this by myself."

"I get true satisfaction out of making something better and not staying in the status quo."

"I've learned by making mistakes and I've made some doozies in my career. Luckily, I have improved each time."

"My mother is my inspiration - she's paved the way to sainthood for generations to come in my family."