William R. Elger, CPA, executive vice president and chief business and finance officer for UTMB, has been awarded the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation from the American Institute of CPAs and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. The CGMA designation recognizes professionals who have a deep understanding of finance and have expanded their business skills through experience as management accountants to help drive better business decisions.
“I am honored to receive the prestigious CGMA designation,” Elger said. “This designation represents a commitment to advanced education, ethics and professional development that are critical to career success.”
A Certified Public Accountant, Elger graduated from the University of Illinois – Chicago. In his role at UTMB, Elger oversees a workforce of about 1,100 employees in eight major areas of operational support, including: finance; business operations and facilities; human resources; information services and security; police; financial planning and performance management; and managed care.
UTMB Police Officer Cynthia Lafferty was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant. Lafferty is the department’s second-ever female sergeant and the only female sergeant with the
UTMB Police Department currently or in recent history.
Sergeant Lafferty has been with UTMB in various law enforcement roles for many years.
“Sergeant Lafferty has been a leader in this department for a very long time,” Chief Thomas Engells said. “It is an honor for me to bestow the visible markers of police leadership—the oath, the badge and the chevrons—upon her.”
Lafferty began her policing career in 1990 as a guard. She graduated in the 55th Basic Police Officers Course in December 1992, and she became a Master Peace Officer in 2007. She is also a certified Police Instructor. In addition to her service to UTMB, Sergeant Lafferty has also worked for UT Arlington and UT Tyler.
“One of the greatest privileges I enjoy as the Chief of Police is that of promotion,” Chief said. “Sergeant Lafferty is very deserving of this promotion, and we are very happy she calls UTMB home.” In her new role, Lafferty will serve as an Evening Shift Patrol Sergeant."
The UTMB American Red Cross Student Organization and the School of Health Professions Staff Assembly conducted a one-day donation drive for the victims of Super Storm Sandy. They were able to raise over $300 from staff, faculty and students, with 100 percent of the donations benefitting the victims on the east coast. The donations were presented to Mari Berend, executive director of the American Red Cross.
Pictured: Sarah Burnett, American Red Cross Student Organization; Mary Ellen Beaupre, School of Health Professions; Brandy Rawls, American Red Cross Student Organization; Brooke Shaver, American Red Cross Student Organization; Debbie Hamilton, School of Health Professions; Dr. Elizabeth Protas, dean of the School of Health Professions; Vivian Brannen, School of Health Professions; Tina Marie Harmon, School of Health Professions; Mari Berend, executive director of the American Red Cross; Hope Cooke – UTMB/Red Cross Advisory Board Member.
Susan Johnson, Thoracic Organ Program manager in
UTMB Transplant Services, recently attended the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses conference and achieved her certification as a Heart Failure Nurse. Johnson’s presentation on aquapheresis was published in the AAHFN journal.