BizHR Innovation in the Workplace Awards

By Tom Leyde

The Society for Human Research Management of Greater Tucson, also known as SHRM-GT, honored local groups and individuals Nov. 9 during its annual awards event, as members and nominees gathered at the Savoy Opera House in Trail Dust Town.

“The focus (of SHRM) is celebrating innovation, so what we’re looking for is innovative practices,” said Cynthi Knight, local chapter president. “The (nominated) organizations, whether small, medium or large, are the focus. It takes great leaders to achieve the innovation in certain areas,” she said.

Awards recognizing Community Impact; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility; and Leadership were presented to organizations based on their size.

Community Foundation for Southern Arizona was the winner of the Community Impact Award for a small organization. The group helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits work together to create a stronger community. Creating a stronger community was at the heart of CFSA’s Leadership and Management Certificate program through the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. The group offered a free training program for 220 people from nonprofit groups to help them develop skills to support long-term sustainability for themselves and their organizations. “The program taught me some new concepts that I was able to implement right away,” said Amanda Bernal-Ransom, VP of resource development at Chicanos Por La Causa. “It was a wonderful learning opportunity.” Kelly Huber, CFSA senior director of community investments, accepted the award.

HSL Asset Management was honored as the medium-size group for its community impact activities. Marlene Adams, VP of human resources, accepted the award. “We’re obviously very honored to receive it,” Adams said. “It warms our heart. The business (more than 47 years old) was founded on premises of family and community.” HLS has contributed to many essential nonprofits Tucson, including Angel Charity for Children, Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Youth On Their Own and Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse.

Children’s Clinics was honored as the small-size organization in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility category. The organization serves children with complex medical conditions and is located on the Tucson Medical Center campus on Grant Road. Children’s Clinics offers primary

care, specialty care, rehabilitative and behavioral health care. The group’s IDEA Council works in concert with the CARE Committee. Both are employee-led groups working to create an inclusive work environment and to improve clinic experience for patients and families. Jared Perkins, CEO, and Gemma Thomas, CAO, accepted the award.

Winner of the medium- to large-size group was BroadPath Heathcare Solutions, which provides managed remote teams of skilled professionals to healthcare, financial services, travel and hospitality and high-growth industries. The teams handle customer experience, sales and back office operations. BroadPath also volunteers time to facilitate learning experiences for clients and employees. Lacey Wilson accepted the award.

Kasey Hill, CEO of Greater Tucson Leadership, received the award in the small company leadership category. Hill has served as GTL CEO since July 2016 and before that, was communications director for Develop Danville, a public-private economic development organization in central Kentucky.

Jennifer Chenault, a sales executive for Lovitt & Touché, was honored for her leadership in a medium-size company. “I am humbled and grateful that the contributions I’ve made have been recognized,” she said. “This is like the icing on the cake.”

SHRM-GT members Laurel Ragaller and Kerry Barrett, both co-directors of the programs committee, were recognized for their efforts. “We had a great committee and a great partnership,” Ragaller said.

Concord General Contracting announced that Jodi James joined the firm as client relationship manager. James brings more than 25 years of marketing and business development experience, most recently working with municipalities and tribal communities to grow economic development initiatives. In her new role, James assists Concord in developing its growing position in the Tucson and Greater Phoenix markets.

El Rio Health, the largest provider of medical and dental services for the uninsured and Medicaid populations in Pima County, announced Jill Rodriguez has been promoted to major gifts officer with the El Rio Foundation. Rodriguez has been with the foundation as the development coordinator, organizing fundraisers and employee giving and overseeing corporate recognition. She celebrated 15 years with El Rio in December.

R&A CPAs, one of Southern Arizona’s leading public accounting and business advisory firms, announced that Karly A. Meza was promoted to shareholder. Meza has been an integral member of R&A since joining the firm in 2009. She primarily provides financial reporting and assurance services to clients in a variety of industries. Meza specializes in auditing and reporting for employee benefit plans, not-for-profit organizations, charter schools and construction entities.

Judy Rich Mimi Coomler

TMC HealthCare expanded the role of its president and CEO, Judy Rich, and named Mimi Coomler as the new CEO of Tucson Medical Center.

Rich, who had led TMC HealthCare since 2007, will focus on continued growth of the company as its new system president and CEO.

TMC HealthCare is growing the TMC Rincon Health Campus, which houses medical offices, primary care and urgent care. An ambulatory surgery center is scheduled to open in early 2022 and the 50-bed Rincon Neighborhood Hospital is planned for opening in 2023.

TMC HealthCare also includes Tucson Medical Center, TMC Medical Network/TMCOne, Northern Cochise Community Hospital and Benson Hospital. It manages the TMC Foundation and partnerships with physicians and community providers. It’s a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.

“Our No. 1 priority is meeting the needs of our patients and the communities we serve,” Rich said. “As we expand into the future, we must continue to identify the greatest needs and extend our mission-driven healthcare system to address those needs.”

Because of Rich’s expanded role, she relinquished leadership at the company’s flagship Tucson Medical Center, the midtown, 628-bed nonprofit hospital that employs 4,500 people.

Coomler will take on those duties. She has been TMC’s COO since 2017 following work as the hospital’s chief nursing officer. Coomler joins other TMC HealthCare hospital chief executives – Julia Strange at Benson Hospital and Monica Sheldon at Northern Cochise Community Hospital.

In announcing the leadership changes in October, TMC HealthCare Board of Trustees Chair Louise Francesconi said the reshuffle better positions the company’s efforts to establish a regional healthcare presence.

“We are committed to increasing inpatient, outpatient – and even virtual – access points to the region’s nonprofit health system in Southern Arizona,” Francesconi said.

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