In the Spotlight
Welcome to our monthly feature where we celebrate employees who are doing fun and fantastic things! This is your place to shine and tell us about what you've been up to and how you're supporting each other.
Have a spotlight to share? Send it to employeerecognition@cchmc.org.
In the Spotlight
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/42187/spotlight-2000.b3f372145e9b.jpg?)
Welcome to our monthly feature where we celebrate employees who are doing fun and fantastic things! This is your place to shine and tell us about what you've been up to and how you're supporting each other.
Have a spotlight to share? Send it to employeerecognition@cchmc.org.
Young Professionals Honored
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/42187/yp_honorees.2b5b87354100.jpg?)
The Young Professionals Employee Resource Group honored three of their own recently with the annual presentation of the Young Professional of the Year Award. The award recognizes members who embody strong achievement in their work position, institution, and community. The 2023 finalists included 1st Runner-Up Maria Dehne, senior social media specialist, Marketing and Communications (left) and 2nd Runner-Up Chloe Stegeman, Healthvine project manager (right). This year's winner was Kristy High, literacy coordinator within our Community Engagement team (center). They were celebrated at a summer ceremony after being nominated and reviewed by their peers and members of leadership.
Research Scholars Enjoy a Day at the Zoo
On Oct. 1, Cincinnati Children’s hosted a zoo outing for visiting research scholars and their families.
These scholars are part of the J-1 visa scholar program, which is administered by our Global Health Compliance Group and overseen by the U.S. State Department. The program is designed to enhance cultural and academic exchange between the U.S. and other countries.
As a program sponsor, Cincinnati Children’s currently hosts 107 J-1 research scholars from 32 countries, who are here both as employees and non-employees. They contribute to research in over 30 divisions at the hospital. Scholars can be here for as little as a few weeks, but most are with us for a year or more. Many remain up to the visa maximum of five years. Many scholars bring their spouses and children with them as well.
The Global Health Compliance Group issues the key immigration document for the research scholars and provides on-the-ground support during their stay, as well as opportunities to learn about U.S. culture and visit local attractions.
Says Jennifer Blair, senior specialist, International Visitors Office/Legal, “This is a remarkable group of scholars who have chosen to travel far from home to contribute to the meaningful research being done here. During the zoo visit, we were delighted to celebrate their accomplishments.”
In addition to Blair, the Global Health Compliance Group includes Amy Emery, Jenn McElroy and Linda Mackey.
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/42187/scholars3.ddae5560b91a.jpg?)
Scholars and families enjoyed the zoo and then joined our team in the Treetops Event Space for light refreshments and a break from the heat in the air conditioning
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/42187/scholars2.f0e2b80f3443.jpg?)
The duration of stay for J-1 research scholars ranges from a few weeks to a year.
![](https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/42187/scholars1.36d5dbfb19da.jpg?)
J-1 research scholars travel far from home to contribute to the meaningful research that goes on at Cincinnati Children's. They are valuable partners in our vision and mission.