Each year, University of Utah Health’s Office for Health Sciences Workforce Excellence (HSWE) awards members of the U Health community for their leadership in areas of belonging, equity in healthcare, and inclusion. In 2024, the group recognized two members of the department for their excellence in these areas: Tatiana Allen-Webb and Jessica Jones, MD.
“Receiving this award is deeply meaningful to me as it marks a significant moment of reflection on my 24-year journey at the University of Utah,” said Allen-Webb. “I have dedicated my career to bridging the gap between communities and academia. I am proud to advocate for underrepresented populations, championing their voices, and working tirelessly to foster inclusion and equitable access to healthcare for all.”
Allen-Webb was awarded the Inclusive Excellence Award for Staff. Among her colleagues, Allen-Webb is known for building a sense of belonging in her role as the associate director of the Utah AHEC program. Her tireless work promoting inclusion was a primary factor in the strength of her nomination for the award.
“Among all the amazing faculty and staff of DFPM, no one embodies ‘Inclusive Excellence’ quite like Tatiana,” said Utah AHEC Program Assistant Sidnee Myers. “She creates a safe space for intercultural dialogue in every program she manages including integrating community health workers into the school of medicine curriculum and managing the interprofessional cohorts of the Utah AHEC Scholars."
The other nominee from the department, Dr. Jones, was awarded the Inclusive Excellence Award for Transformation. The award reflects leaders at U Health who actively develop frameworks to identify, measure, and promote belonging among the U Health communities. As an associate professor of public health, community provider, and the department’s Resiliency and Belonging Committee Chair, Dr. Jones is uniquely situated to work across the department to foster a welcoming community, and the award reflects her years of work in this field.
“Receiving this award is validating and encouraging,” said Dr. Jones. “I feel like the time and energy I've dedicated to the department over the last few years might have made some difference. The recognition motivates me to keep working to improve the inclusivity and well-being for our department.”
The Leadership in Inclusive Excellence Awards were started in 2016 under the leadership of then-Associate Vice President Ana María López. Recipients were presented with their awards during HSWE’s Veteran's Health Week.