Ann Essay, MPH

August 2023 Silver U Award Recipient: Ann Essay, MPH

Ann Essay, MPH, is the recipient of the UNMC College of Public Health Silver U Award for August 2023. The award recognizes employees whose overall performance is above and beyond the scope of their position and demonstrates UNMC’s iTEACH values — innovation, teamwork, excellence, accountability, courage and healing.

Ann, a PhD candidate and research coordinator in the UNMC Department of Health Promotion, was commended for her ability and commitment to always support her team members. In the words of a nominator, Ann “displays an extremely high level of excellence, not limited to keeping our team up to date…while advancing the field through high-quality publications, presentations and proposals. Ann is also extremely accountable to herself and her family, which then translates to her team at UNMC and the communities we partner with. This level of accountability also translates into her ability to make difficult decisions, learn from mistakes, and lead with purpose while being empathetic to individuals she encounters.”

Ann works as a research coordinator in the lab of David Dzewaltowski, PhD. She is responsible for managing and contributing to research projects focused on understanding community systems and their influence on health behaviors, such as physical activity, in children.

“I was shocked to receive the Silver U award. I am grateful to work with such wonderful people in the College and the HPRO Department, and I am very appreciative of the nomination.”

Ann Essay

Congratulations, Ann!