Jim Chandler, MPA, has overseen logistics for several of the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) highest-profile COVID-19 response initiatives: the vaccination clinic that was held this year at the SMC Campus Center; the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE), including KN95 masks this fall; and the Blue Cart program with supplies to clean common areas in buildings across campus.

Chandler, critical resources and logistics program manager, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), has ordered supplies, managed inventory, and driven the truck to make deliveries. His most recent responsibility was ensuring that tens of thousands of KN95 masks were distributed across campus now that they are the required face coverings for unvaccinated employees and students and for fully vaccinated employees and students participating in classroom and training activities. 

“Jim has been such a fantastic contributor to our COVID relief effort,” said Chandler’s supervisor, Jonathan Bratt, MS, executive director, OEM. “Jim is a one-man army: managing the warehouse inventory and procurement, and then distributing the masks on campus to make everybody safe. We are back to campus in large part because of the vaccine and because of the masks, and Jim is a cornerstone of that effort. 

For this work, Chandler has been named UMB’s October Employee of the Month. He learned of the honor Oct. 8 during a videoconference call with President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS.

Jarrell praised Chandler’s work with the COVID-19 vaccination clinic.

“I’ve seen you and your work in action at the Campus Center many times, and I know how you’ve risen to meet the challenge,” Jarrell said. “This recognition is for your tremendous work and for all that you’ve been doing for all of us.”

Late last year, Chandler helped with the preparations for opening the vaccination clinic Jan. 6. As the clinic’s logistics manager, he was responsible for coordinating the procurement of supplies — bandages, gauze pads, medical syringes, and ancillary supplies for the prepping of the vaccine as well as drinks and snacks for patients. He also coordinated with the University of Maryland Medical Center and devised and changed the layouts and workflows of the clinic depending on appointment volume for the two vaccines offered at the clinic.

“We modified almost daily to match the needs of appointments, because some days we had 3-to-1 Pfizer over Moderna or vice versa,” Chandler said. “We had to arrange the queue lines and the reception area differently every day. We prepped a greeters’ list every day for the volunteers and the staff that we hired to manage the patients coming in and checking in. Later, we also resized and consolidated the clinic, from the three buildings we were using down to just primarily one.”

Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, worked with Chandler at the vaccination clinic and called him an “outstanding colleague.”

“He always made sure that we had all the needed supplies, and he consistently rolled up his sleeves and undertook the heavy lifting on the proverbial ‘all other such duties as assigned,’” she said. “His can-do, positive attitude was truly an asset and invaluable to the overall operation.”

In nominating Chandler for the award, Bratt noted his problem-solving skills, which were put to use at the clinic.

“When presented with a problem, Jim quickly takes action to find solutions or viable alternatives,” he said. “This attitude was exemplified many times at the SMC vaccination site, where he constantly changed the layouts and workflows to meet the varying volumes and needs of community members. 

After Chandler demobilized the clinic in July, UMB received a new order of PPE — surgical masks, safety glasses, and other gear, which he distributed around campus.

When Chandler was hired in summer 2020 to manage the warehouse, one of his first major responsibilities was implementing the campus’ Blue Cart program. Carts are placed in buildings around campus with disinfectant spray, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and polyethylene gloves so that employees and students can wipe down common areas in classrooms, labs, and conference rooms.

“We have 280 carts now in our inventory, and 268 of them are distributed across campus,” he said. “I coordinated that effort with building managers throughout campus, most of them affiliated with the individual schools, to keep them supplied.”

Chandler said making a difference is his favorite part of the job.

“Anything to do with the COVID response, I felt like I was being part of the solution,” he said. “I’m part of a team that was a source of energy and change that was needed for the COVID response at UMB.”

Bratt said Chandler’s customer service has been above and beyond as he has worked many late nights and weekends to make sure everyone at UMB has been safe during the pandemic. 

“What is most laudable about Jim’s work is that his focus has been to ensure others on campus can continue to do their jobs by providing them the necessary protective materials they need during the pandemic,” Bratt said. “Jim has been steadfast in his service to others. He is attentive to detail and rapidly responds to the needs and requests of those he serves. Jim has truly made a difference on this campus by ensuring others have the tools and resources they need to be safe.”

Chandler, who emphasized his work is a team effort, thanked Bratt and his co-workers at OEM. The day that Chandler found out he had won Employee of the Month was his last day working in OEM, as he is shifting to the position of business analyst for UMB’s Facilities and Operations. In fact, he thought he was logging on to conduct a debrief of his work and was surprised to see not only Bratt, but also Jarrell on the videoconference.

Chandler also thanked Mark Drymala, senior manager, Environmental Services, who made trucks available for him to make deliveries, and Victor Smith, moving and storage specialist, Facilities and Lab Services, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, who helped with the PPE distribution.

Chandler will receive a plaque, a letter of commendation, and an extra $250 in his next paycheck for being named Employee of the Month. He called winning the award humbling. 

“I know there are a lot of people doing great work at UMB, and I wouldn’t have been successful doing the work that I did without the help of the OEM team and Mark and Victor,” he said. “I like the culture and the environment at UMB. It’s a very supportive and collaborative culture.”

— Jen Badie