Cassandra Callaghan receives U-M Staff Impact Award3 min read
Ann Arbor, Mich., May 16, 2018 -– Cassandra Callaghan, director of dental informatics at the School of Dentistry, has received a University of Michigan Staff Impact Award.
Six individuals, four supervisors and four teams from around campus were presented with the inaugural Staff Impact Awards on Monday at the Michigan League. They recognize individual staff members, staff who supervise others and teams of staff members. Callaghan was one of four supervisors cited during a presentation by Kevin Hegarty, executive vice president and chief financial officer of the university.
The awards celebrate those who champion volunteerism and service within the university, and those who find ways to collaborate across units and find solutions to improve the workplace. The awards were developed from recommendations of a Voices of the Staff committee and are sponsored by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer in partnership with University Human Resources.
Callaghan oversees a staff of 25 that is responsible for the dental school’s information technology operations, including its computer network, servers and desktop support; electronic health records; learning technologies in the classrooms; and the school’s website. She was nominated by Lynn Johnson, associate dean for faculty affairs and institutional effectiveness, and Michael Fox, director of budget and financial planning.
Callaghan was cited for her work in integrating modern technologies used by students, faculty and staff in patient care, including a new electronic health record system. The complex upgrade requires understanding patient care operations and working closely with faculty experts and vendors to make sure the unique dental school needs mesh with the existing information technology infrastructure. She has helped develop “dynamic visual analyses that consolidate data from disparate sources … and provide answers to education, research, patient care and administrative questions,” the nomination said. She also was cited for her calm approach during unexpected IT outages, bringing a systematic approach that quickly solves problems and communicates with those who are affected before the situation reaches a chaotic level. Her collaborative approach extends beyond the School of Dentistry to include other units and offices on campus, as well as the city of Ann Arbor and various utility providers.
“Cassandra has many impressive strengths,” Johnson said. “What sets her apart is her interest in, and ability to understand, the needs of all parties and reach a mutually beneficial solution.”
Callaghan joined the School of Dentistry in April 2016 after working previously with U-M Information and Technology Services.
For more on the Staff Impact Awards, see The University Record.
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The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation’s leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the school to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit us on the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu. Contact: Lynn Monson, associate director of communications, at [email protected], or (734) 615-1971.