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Stacie Sabatka |
Ask the staff and they’ll say that may be so, but Sabatka — the department’s clinical coordinator — is their MVP.
“As a physician, I understand my role is important to the mission of UNMC and of our department,” said Mark Fleisher, M.D., associate professor of psychiatry. “However, I firmly believe we could carry on quite well in my absence. I cannot imagine how we would continue to function as we do in Stacie’s absence for even two weeks — she is that important and successful at her job.”
It’s a job that has Sabatka overseeing the coordination of office visits for thousands of patients who meet with UNMC psychiatrists, counselors and other health professionals at two clinic sites. She also ensures that the department’s office associates get everything they need to keep things running smoothly.
For her efforts, Sabatka received the Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ award for the month of August.
“It can be a little hectic at times,” Sabatka said of her job. “But we really do have a lot of cooperation and teamwork and that keeps things running pretty nicely.”
This focus on the team concept has won her the admiration of the psychiatry department’s chairman, Steven Wengel, M.D.
“She has an unfailingly pleasant demeanor and helpful attitude, even in the face of stress and challenges,” Dr. Wengel said. “She is one of the most team-oriented people I have met and always strives to look at the ‘big picture’ of what would be most helpful for our patients, staff and trainees.”
Office associate Shelly Montgomery said Sabatka is wonderful to work for and that she goes out of her way to make sure employees have what they need to get the job done. Sabatka also has demonstrated a deep caring for her employees’ personal well-being, Montgomery said, a trait that was illustrated when Sabatka bought cold medicine for coworkers with the sniffles and purchased a shower mat for another who fell and was injured in the shower.
“Stacie has been clinic support supervisor for five years and is one of the best supervisors the department of psychiatry has ever had,” Montgomery said. “She is a very caring person at work and is very understanding of both work and personal needs.”
Sabatka’s helpful attitude extends beyond the office, too, as she coordinates an assistance program between the psychiatry department and Omaha’s Liberty Elementary School.
As part of the program, the department gathers clothes, blankets, school supplies, toys and other items and donates them to the school’s students — of whom, about 90 percent live under the national poverty standard.
“Our school has been the recipient of many kind donations because of the efforts of Mrs. Stacie Sabatka,” said Nancy Oberst, the former principal at Liberty. “She has organized drives and collections that have brought needed items and services for Liberty students. Stacie’s insight and desire to improve the lives of others is an inspiration to us.”
Sabatka’s take on her efforts is that they are their own reward and that they are possible because she’s surrounded by good people.
What else do you expect a true MVP to say?