Erica Chaffin, MBA, left the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) in 2013 for a job with the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Office of Central Administration Support Services, but she returned to UMSOP in 2018, and her colleagues are certainly glad that she came back.

Chaffin, director of human resources for UMSOP, is a highly respected and much-appreciated colleague at the school, which was evident during a videoconference Nov. 11 when she was honored as UMB’s November Employee of the Month.

Fifteen of her co-workers were on the call, eager to talk about Chaffin. After UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, announced that she had won the award, nearly every colleague took their turn to affirm that Chaffin is an outstanding leader of the human resources department and a valued colleague who balances excellence in her job with empathy for her co-workers.

“Erica is just really terrific. In my new role as dean, I rely on her so much for advice and guidance,” said UMSOP Dean Sarah L.J. Michel, PhD. “She really is a calm voice who is always able to figure out how to solve what we like to call opportunities, not challenges. She is always available, and her colleagues in the school view her as a really wonderful person to go to with small things, big things, or whatever the issue is.”
 
William J. Cooper, MBA, senior associate dean for administration and finance, nominated Chaffin for the award, saying she is “a go-to person for other schools and even UMB Human Resources on ways to approach complex issues and functions. A handful of her protocols and processes have been copied and used by other UMB schools and central administration.

“Erica is a thoughtful leader who shepherds many people including myself in solving complex problems, seeking to improve the way in which the school functions with regard to human resources and payroll, and advocating for improvement at the campus level.

“She is here in the office way too late many times, and I have to text or email her to say, ‘It’s time to go home.’ She just does so many things to really help keep the school running smoothly.”

The praise continued during the 20-minute ceremony, leaving Chaffin in tears at some points and relieved that the meeting was about an accomplishment and not a punishment.

“I told my husband, ‘I hope I don’t get fired today. I have a special HR meeting that I know nothing about,’ ” Chaffin said with a laugh. “This is such an honor. I love being with the School of Pharmacy. I left a while ago for five years, but I made my way back home, and I just enjoy working with everyone.”

Chaffin, who first worked for UMSOP from 2005 to 2013, handles human resources tasks such as hirings, terminations, benefits, learning and development, and much more. Cooper says she has successfully tackled numerous challenges this year, including complex and time-consuming employee relations issues.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Erica as part of our leadership team,” Cooper said. “All of the people on this call interact with Erica in some way, especially when we’re trying to solve a unique problem.”

C. Daniel Mullins, PhD, professor, Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research, and executive director, PATIENTS Program, agreed with Cooper about Chaffin’s problem-solving skills.

“When you see a Microsoft Teams call from Erica, you know that she’ll have an amazing suggestion, where she says, ‘OK, I know what you wanted to do, but here’s what I think is an alternative you might want to consider,’ ” Mullins said. “I think it’s because of Erica that we have such great staff here at the School of Pharmacy, and she helps us to not just hire them, but also to retain them by giving them the support that they need.”

Pamela Crowe, MS, director of facilities and laboratory support, also offered high praise for Chaffin. 

“Erica sets the bar for me with her discernment, and she addresses even a crisis with grace, tact, intellect, and cheer. She has what hopefully all of us aspire to obtain or achieve, and that’s just the best energy and work ethic that I’ve seen on campus during my 36 years here.”

Chaffin says her five-year detour to the UMB job gave her great insight into dealing with Universitywide issues and working with various groups around campus, rather just one school. She split her five years serving as an administrative manager and then assistant director for human resources and payroll services.

“I came from dealing with faculty, staff, and students from an individual school perspective, so going over to central administration was a completely different realm, working with key players in the UMB departments,” she said. “It was very busy, but it was a great learning experience. Coming back to the School of Pharmacy, it felt like I was returning to my family.”

Chaffin, who will receive a certificate, a letter of commendation, and $250 for being named Employee of the Month, says she likes to help people, and that’s what drew her to human resources management.

“In this office, we do not only handle negative aspects of disciplinary action or policy, we help people with their benefits and we help people with their leave administration,” she said. “We just make sure that the employees’ overall experience coming in the door and while they’re here is enjoyable.

“I enjoy working with everyone at the school,” Chaffin added. “My son came to work with me last Friday, and he said, ‘Mom, you work with some really nice people.’ So he stopped and said thanks to those who had taken some time to speak with him. Everyone really acknowledged him, and he said, ‘Mom, I’d like to work here when I get older.’ ” 

— Lou Cortina