Rose Delaney has plenty to do in her role as a program management specialist in the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health (OSAH).

She handles a large volume of emails and calls from students and faculty in the Nurse Anesthesia Program, helping to manage the application process and activities in the specialty’s didactic and clinical areas, the latter of which is a large part of the job because students spend two years of the three-year program on-site at hospitals.

On top of that, two years ago, she volunteered to help another program, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, with the scheduling of prospective student interviews and continues to do so.

“Rose volunteered because she knew that the program faculty members were busy preparing for the semester and didn’t have a dedicated staff member to help them,” said Wendy Bridges, business operations director, OSAH, who is Delaney’s supervisor. “The interviews had to be scheduled over a holiday weekend, and she rose to the challenge.”

Delaney’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. This was clear Aug. 12 when five of her co-workers and University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, surprised her on a Webex teleconference with news that she had been selected UMB’s Employee of the Month for August.

“I’ve read these glowing reports about how you picked up the load during the COVID-19 pandemic, that you’ve helped all the nurse anesthesia students and students in other areas as well,” Jarrell told Delaney. “It’s a wonderful tribute to you. Obviously, you are deeply committed to those students and to that program. And I’m here to tell you how much UMB appreciates your work.”

Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of UMSON, joined the teleconference as well, saying the school is “blessed to have an employee like Rose.”

“Rose works in one of the tougher specialty areas, because it’s the hardest for students to get into and most rigorous in terms of its intensity,” Kirschling said. “I know she’s often on the front lines of difficult conversations and is always helping potential students navigate the application process. And she does it with grace. And she does it with a great smile.”

Delaney, who joined UMSON in May 2017, takes pride in her ability to multitask.

“We have about 90 students in our program, and I’m basically the main contact person for all 90 students, as well as for our faculty,” she said. “I make sure that the onboarding process for the clinical sites is complete. I respond if there are issues with paperwork. I keep track of timesheets. I help with the simulation lab if needed.

“Everybody comes to me. Anything that they need, they come to me. And I enjoy doing it.”

Jacqueline Mitchell, MS, CRNA, director of clinical education for the Nurse Anesthesia Program, calls Delaney as “an invaluable asset in the daily operations” of the program.

“Rose’s ability to take on challenging issues and maintain superior performance defines the true meaning of staff excellence,” Mitchell said. “Her transition from in-person duties to online duties because of COVID-19 was executed in an effortless manner. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that the program continues to run in a ‘business as usual’ manner.

“She has been instrumental in the coordination of all clinical rotations for 60 student registered nurse anesthetists who are rotating to 25 sites in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and she has done a phenomenal job handling all of the logistical activities. She is a true role model who fosters cohesiveness and a productive environment.”

Delaney will receive a plaque, letter of commendation, and $250 in her next paycheck as Employee of the Month rewards. She was grateful for the recognition and returned the favor in praise of her colleagues.

“A lot of people work hard at our school and all around UMB, and it feels really good to be appreciated,” she said. “I work with a great team. My colleagues are awesome. Wendy is very supportive as my supervisor, and she allows me to be myself. She allows me to try new things, to run things by her and say, ‘I want to learn something new.’

“All of the faculty members are very welcoming, too. We are like a family. We’re really close. I truly enjoy all of the people I work with. It’s such an awesome experience working at the School of Nursing.”

—  Lou Cortina