Star Search The hunt for top talent at OMRF SPRING 2023 HOT NEWS FROM INSIDE OMRF
BUNSENburner Spring 2023 At OMRF, like nearly every organization, recruiting talented individuals is a top priority. In 2022, U.S. employers filled a record 76 million jobs. Couple that with historically low unemployment rates, and you’re looking at quite a challenge when it comes to filling the foundation’s open positions. Red-hot job market or not, says Courtney Stevens Greenwood, that never means trying to squeeze a candidate into a position that’s not a fit for them. “Recruiting is like non-romantic matchmaking,” she says. “We need to partner hiring managers with candidates that match not just the job description, but also the vibe of the particular lab, clinic or department.” As OMRF’s recruiting team, Josué Solís and Riana Flenniken serve as the foundation’s designated matchmakers. But even at an institution whose mission is medical research, Riana says that finding the perfect fit is as much art as it is science. “There’s so much more complexity beyond just what you see in a position description or on a CV,” she says. “There’s a very definite nuance to matching the right person with the right position for the best fit.” Riana’s own path at OMRF began with an artful recruiting insight. While she initially applied for another HR position, Courtney noticed Riana’s warm personality and years of experience in personnel administration, most recently at Win Co Foods, and thought it made her the right candidate for recruiting at OMRF. “The stars aligned,” Riana says. A native of Oahu, Hawaii, she landed in Oklahoma nine years ago when her husband, a member of the U.S. Air Force, was transferred to Tinker. Despite the lack of palm trees and Matchmakers OMRF’s recruiters are always on the lookout for the perfect fit
3 ocean vistas, she says her new home has much in common with her old one. “The communities are very tight knit, and both Oklahomans and Hawaiians are extremely friendly and very welcoming.” That sense of community is something that Josué, a San Francisco transplant, has also found in his new home. “Oklahomans are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” he says. “And at OMRF, I love the common denominator, which is we’re all working toward the same goal. We’re all working in unison.” Before joining OMRF, Josué worked for the Consulate General of Guatemala, first in San Francisco, then in the Oklahoma City office. “It was amazing work, meeting people from around the world who are not just individuals, but representing their whole nation,” says Josué, who jokes that international travel is his “one addiction.” He was drawn to OMRF by the opportunity to help diverse people find meaningful work in a healthy environment. “I really love coming in every day,” he says. Especially in a challenging hiring environment, the foundation’s mission – helping more live longer, healthier lives – gives the recruiting team a sense of purpose. “I arrived in an empty lab I needed to fill,” says Elizabeth Finn, who joined Cell Cycle & Cancer Biology in October. Josué and Riana helped her write job descriptions and choose hiring criteria. They then posted the positions across multiple platforms, and when We’re All Recruiters Josué and Riana are great at finding hidden gems, but you can assist them in their search by recommending a candidate for open positions through the HR referral program. If OMRF hires someone based on your referral, you’ll get $250 three months after their start date and another $250 at the six-month mark. Visit the Intranet or contact HR at [email protected] for guidelines, information or a referral form. applications started coming in, they assisted her in screening, interviewing and ultimately selecting the best candidates. Thanks to those efforts, Elizabeth’s team now includes a pair of research technicians settling into their new roles, and recruitment continues. “I thought it would be hard to find people,” she says. Now, though, she has a different concern. “I’m more worried about growing too fast!”
BUNSENburner Spring 2023 The stakes were high. A negative outcome might have far-reaching implications. Nevertheless, Jennie Criley and Margie Pachucki were optimistic. “Every single person was here and ready,” says Jennie. “Our team takes so much pride and ownership.” The event in question wasn’t a big game but, rather, a site visit. Still, as expected, OMRF’s Comparative Medicine program continued a winning streak that dates back more than half a century. Following a two-day review, the program earned reaccreditation from the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. The The Comparative Medicine team: Front row, Nikki Kong, Emma Mode, Kortni Smith, Taylor Conner, Kristy Sauer; Middle row: Crystalynn Domenden, Erika Frasquillo Garcia, Stefanie Doak, Jennie Criley, Francisco Sanchez; Back row: Margie Pachucki, Michael Jones, Olivia Reichelt, Patrick Higgins, Stuart West, Angela Smith, Leilani Fowler, Haley Brown; Not pictured: Marissa Holmes, Thuy Kong, Monika Perkins, Joe Woodward
5 OMRF earns another AAALAC three-year accreditation designation affirms OMRF’s focus on the humane care of our research animals, certifying that we go above and beyond the standards required by law. OMRF has held this designation, known as AAALAC accreditation, since 1971. “In the world of Comparative Medicine,” says Jennie, “it’s the equivalent of a clean audit.” Reviewers lauded OMRF’s animal program as “exemplary,” citing the healthy appearance of OMRF’s mice, frogs and zebrafish. They also noted the administrative commitment to lab animal care and the close relationship among Comparative Medicine, scientists and the foundation’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, or IACUC. The visit required all-hands-ondeck work from the 20-person Comparative Medicine team. “Our facilities are always inspection-ready, but the staff went above and beyond,” says Jennie. That included preparing a 128-page program description, deep cleaning, double-checking documentation and assembling records and materials for the site visit team. For a few Comparative Medicine team members, says Jennie, the visit proved to be a bit of an unexpected letdown. “I think some were even a little disappointed when the reviewers didn’t spend a lot of time in their areas. But that just means there were no problems.” The reviewers’ praise extended to OMRF’s facilities. “They kept saying, ‘Wow, this is really clean and nice!’” Margie recalls. The pair credits Luis Aguilera-Silva and James Hickman for hours of touch-up painting and polishing. “I had their cell phone numbers. They’d just answer with, ‘Oh, Marjorie…,’” Margie says with a laugh. “I ran into Luis yesterday, and I said, ‘Oh, you don’t need to worry, I don’t need anything!’” AAALAC reaccreditation eases the administrative process for OMRF scientists to receive federal grants. It also enables foundation researchers to continue collaborative projects with other accredited institutions. Although there’s plenty of time to prepare for OMRF’s next reaccreditation in 2026, Margie feels like the Comparative Medicine team could take the field at a moment’s notice. “If the reviewers came today, I have no doubt that we would be fine.” “Our facilities are always inspectionready, but the staff went above and beyond.”
BUNSENburner Spring 2023 How well do you know your coworkers? 1. Which OMRFer has shown more than 100 championship dogs? 2. Who drove a 58-year-old car in Mexico’s “museum on wheels”? 3. Who was born during a total solar eclipse? 4. Who could rebuild a motorcycle engine by the age of 12? 5. Which OMRFer has performed at the Grand Ole Opry? 6. Who has climbed 10 mountains taller than 14,000 feet? 7. What OMRFer learned to hunt after getting a bird dog as a gift? 8. Who has a pet turtle that they rescued from a construction zone? 9. Which OMRFer used to be a parttime transit bus driver? 10. What employee rides their bike to work 10 miles each way? 11. Whose first, middle and last names are towns in Oklahoma? 12. Who is a “sneakerhead” with more than 50 pairs of shoes? 13. Which employee has a dog (unfortunately) named Kevin Durant? 14. What OMRFer drives a 3-wheeled motorcycle? 15. Who lived in the Australian rainforest for two months? Match Game Answers Melanee Clark (1) Melanee Clark (2) Bill Freeman (3) Melissa Barry (4) Harris Blankenship (5) Misty Mihelich (6) Richard Pelikan and Bill Freeman (7) Sean Turner (8) Holly Smith (9) Lily Wong (10) Stephen Apel (11) Lindsay (Sayre) Thomas (12) Jordan Mirich (13) Caroline Allen (14) Vivian Benson (15) Trent Brown
7 Holly Smith Melanee Clark Caroline Allen Lindsay Thomas Richard Pelikan Lily Wong Sean Turner Misty Mihelich Trent Brown Stephen Apel Vivian Benson Bill Freeman Melissa Barry Harris Blankenship Jordan Mirich
You’ve probably seen Alfonso Torres Perales’ signature smile as he walks OMRF’s halls, labs and clinics. Alfonso recently celebrated his first anniversary at the foundation, and as Aramark director for OMRF, he leads a cleaning and environmental services team that keeps more than 500,000 square feet of space at the foundation spick and span. First, what is Aramark? Aramark is a company that provides facilities, uniform and food services to people in 19 countries. At OMRF, my team of 12 takes care of the housekeeping needs for the entire foundation. What did you do for Aramark before moving to Oklahoma? I supported new accounts and frequently traveled to Jacksonville, Florida; Oklahoma City; and Houston. What do you most like about working at OMRF? Since day one, everyone has been welcoming. OMRF treats Aramark employees as if we’re part of the same team. What one word would you pick to describe yourself? Dedicated What has surprised you about your team? How receptive they were to change. I met with each person to hear their thoughts and ideas, which made the transition a lot easier. If they feel empowered, it leads to better service. What is your favorite pastime? Thanks to my dad, I’m sort of a movie connoisseur. Growing up, I watched a lot from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Favorite flicks? Western: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” Romance: “Heaven Can Wait” Comedy: “Big” Sci-Fi: “Star Wars” – the original What are you most proud of? One of Aramark’s biggest accounts includes hospitals and clinics throughout North Texas. I trained staff during the height of the pandemic. Reassuring employees and giving them confidence during that time is something I’m proud of. What is your vision for Aramark’s operations at OMRF? A company’s best asset starts with the employees. I want to continue building what we have to provide excellence and satisfaction for OMRF. Meet Alfonso Torres Perales BUNSENburner Spring 2023