Appreciation fosters connection. Through the ThankU initiative, University members can express immediate appreciation to colleagues, classmates, or instructors by sending a note of gratitude using the Thank a ’Cane tool. Choose from preset card designs and write a custom message for the recipient. If the sender and recipient of the eCard choose to make it public, it is added to a university-wide repository of appreciation. Additionally, you can view a list of cards you have received and sent. Find more tools available through the Office of Institutional Culture.
We asked University employees to share what and who they are grateful for. View their responses below.
Jean Carlo Betances
Clinical documentation specialist, Clinical Care Transformation, UHealth Tower
“I'm thankful for my newborn. We feel complete as a family of five.”
Valeria Elmore-Carney
Assignments coordinator, Housing and Residential Life, Student Affairs
“While I am thankful to be a part of an amazing University, I can't begin to express my appreciation for my Housing and Residential Life family! What an awesome group of people to share my life with every day! I am thankful for the opportunities at the University and being able to learn so much—both about the world and about myself. I will forever hold the University of Miami near and dear to my heart. This University has brought me the most sincere friends I've ever had. Each day I thank God for these people in my life. I would never have met them if it hadn't been for me being employed and attending this amazing University.”
Helen Gynell
Graphic designer, Institute for Data Science and Computing
“Throughout the whole process of taking precautions to be safe during the pandemic, President Frenk's experience and knowledge, cautious stance, and reassuring fact-based videos helped immensely to make me feel as though we could all get through this crisis safely. Even now, the updates are something I rely on to share accurate information with family and friends. Although the scared, bratty little kid in me didn't like being ‘forced’ to get the flu shot or the COVID-19 vaccine, I am grateful that I work somewhere that required it because it feels safe here on campus as so many are vaccinated. Also, the U vaccinated my Mom (86) and I am really grateful that this opportunity was available.”
Liz Ingrao
Associate director, Housing and Residential Life
“I am thankful for our Housing and Residential Life team, professional staff, and student staff who rallied together the past 18 months to keep our residential halls open, our students safe, engaged, and supported, and made these halls into homes for students that may have otherwise had nowhere else to go. In the face of adversity, this team stepped up and gave their all! I am so proud of everything they have accomplished and sacrificed all for our students!”
Jemma Lopez
Physical therapist, UHealth Kendall
“I am grateful for the team I work with every day. Never have I worked in an environment where I laugh each day, where coworkers lift one another up, and where there is such comradery. Nelson Treto, our manager, is a wonderful leader and shows such great support for the team. Feeling thankful for this moment in my professional career.”
Jacqueline Lozano
Patient access representative, UHealth Tower
“I am thankful for my coworkers that are so respectful, helpful, and supportive. I am thankful for the benefits I have with this job that allow me to see an amazing psychologist. I am so thankful for all of her help.”
Doris I Martin
Clinical research monitor, Miller School of Medicine
“I am thankful for the university leadership for the way that they managed during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Anne St. Jean
Senior manager, Billing and Collections, UHealth Revenue Cycle
“I am thankful for my leaders and their care for me and my teams. COVID-19 has not been kind, but the support of my leaders gives me strength to keep on pushing forward.”
Pilar Tamburrino
Assistant director, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
“This year I am especially thankful for the love, support, and encouragement of my team. We have offered clarity, connection, and comfort to the University community during COVID-19 all while offering each other connection, wisdom, and kindness. As Maya Angelou wrote ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ The FSAP team continuously makes me feel valued and loved. Thank you Cali, Rose, and Orlando!”
Anonymous for Jorge Rodriguez Sonora
Senior patient access representative, Patient Access Admitting, UHealth Tower
“Thank you Jorge for the positivity you bring into the department! Your efforts with fostering teamwork and promoting employee engagement is truly appreciated! Thank you!”
