Lisa Dodge, student administration assistant senior in the School of Dentistry, has been selected to receive the 13th annual Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence.

Dodge will receive the award at a reception Feb. 13.

The Candace J. Johnson Award for Staff Excellence was established in 2004 as a memorial to Johnson, a staff member from the Office of the Provost who died in 2003. The Provost’s Office created the award to recognize staff members on campus who, like Johnson, have a positive influence in the workplace through their professionalism and personality.

In a nomination letter, Connie L. MacKinnon, adjunct clinical lecturer in dentistry, said Dodge is the “quiet but steady machine that makes our department run efficiently.”

One of Dodge’s noteworthy accomplishments, MacKinnon said, is being the staff support for a major faculty search project, which involved her “seamlessly coordinating” the collection and distribution of 17 applications, arranging meetings, taking notes and managing five on-campus interviews.

Janet Kinney, clinical associate professor and director of the Division of Dental Hygiene, and research fellow at the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research, said Dodge excels in taking initiative, being dependable and committed.

“I have seen how her dedication to our program, and more importantly to our students, has helped create some of our most important, productive changes within the division,” Kinney said.

Anne Gwozdek, clinical assistant professor and former director of the Dental Hygiene Graduate Program and the Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program, remembered how last year, Dodge was an instrumental component in helping the dental hygiene division prepare for a Commission on Dental Accreditation site visit.

“The person that made what we delivered to CODA comprehensive and accurate was Lisa,” Gwozdek said. “And amazingly, even when everyone’s stress levels were high and deadlines were looming, Lisa always had a positive attitude. Her ‘get the job done’ perseverance made us all want to do our best in this process as well.” 

Registered dental hygienist Kendall Sattelberg said when she started to think about going back to school to receive a bachelor’s degree, Dodge was helpful in reviewing the admissions process and answering her questions.

“After becoming accepted into the program, Lisa took the initiative to make sure I had all the information I needed and all my questions answered to make the transition easier,” Sattelberg said. “She showed commitment by continually being approachable and willing to help me and be there for me anytime I needed her.”

Emily Hill, a Doctor of Dental Surgery candidate and U-M dental hygiene graduate, said Dodge always took on more work above and beyond her responsibilities because she was passionate about helping students learn and grow.

“Whether we needed a shoulder to cry on, or a cheerleader to celebrate our victories, Lisa has always been a main beam of support for us as students,” Hill said.

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