Awards & Honors

Each year, Sargent College honors exceptional individuals within our community for their professional contributions with the following awards:

Review previous winners and nominate

2025 Award Winners

Congratulations to the 2025 recipients of the Faculty Award of Merit, the Staff Award of Merit, and the Whitney R. Powers Award for Teaching Excellence!

Staff Award of Merit

Sharon Sankey, Assistant Dean of Student Services

Sharon Sankey, Sargent’s Assistant Dean of Student Services, has continually supported Sargent College in a variety of important ways. Sharon has always gone above and beyond in fulfilling the multifaceted needs of the College and its students.

Of her extraordinary contributions, her nomination reads:

“Sharon always displays the utmost professionalism and positivity in her interactions with faculty, staff, and students. Her calm and reassuring nature immediately diffuses stressful situations, and she seeks creative strategies to issues and problems that arise.

A prime example of this was her tireless work during the implementation of the new student information system. The transition introduced significant barriers, many of which caused disruption to students and faculty alike.

Sharon worked tirelessly to resolve obstacles as efficiently as she could. Throughout these efforts, she maintained consistent communication with all relevant university constituents. Even when faced with delays or unclear direction, Sharon reinforced messaging to the appropriate channels, ensuring clarity and continuity in an otherwise chaotic situation. It is evident that she provided countless hours beyond her work schedule to resolve issues as quickly as possible.”

 

Faculty Award of Merit

Eileen B. O’Keefe, MD, MPH | Clinical Professor and Chair, Department of Health Sciences

Professor and Department Chair, Eileen O’Keefe, has focused her research on health inequities, maternal and child health, epidemiology, while serving in numerous leadership roles at Sargent and the University at large.  She is also a talented and dedicated educator of students in the Health Sciences Department. In her nomination, it was made clear that her research extended into her leadership, with a focus in eliminating inequities in workload, supporting faculty success, and becoming a trusted voice for her colleagues.

In her nomination, she is praised for her leadership:

“Professor O’Keefe is an extraordinary advocate for her faculty. [She] consistently prioritizes their professional development, wellbeing, and scholarly achievements, ensuring that every faculty member feels supported and valued. Her thoughtful mentorship and strategic guidance have brought new energy to the department that fosters both individual and collective growth.”

“Beyond her department and the college, Eileen brings unparalleled leadership through her service on numerous university-wide committees, including time spent on the Medical Advisory Group (MAG) during COVID, the IRB, and the University’s faculty council. Her insight, integrity, and collaborative spirit make her a highly respected voice in institutional decision-making. Never afraid to make a hard decision if she feels it’s the right thing to do or stand up for what she believes in, Eileen brings a level of dedication and commitment that inspires those around her.”

Whitney R. Powers Award for Teaching Excellence

Claudio Ferre, PhD | Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

Professor Claudio Ferre, PhD, is a member of the Occupational Therapy Department and leads the Development, Experience, & Motor Recovery Lab.

In his award nomination, it was clear the tremendous impact that Professor Ferre has had on the department, both on his colleagues and on his students.

Claudio’s students noted: 

“Claudio is a fantastic professor, and I have been very lucky to learn from him! He makes the material accessible and memorable and always has lots of wonderful resources for us. He facilitates great in-class conversations and activities. If we don’t understand a concept, he thinks on his feet and finds another way to make it clear to us.

There are many reasons why Claudio is a great professor, but the one that sticks out to me the most is his genuineness and kindness.

He cares about us all, and it is important to him that we understand the material and learn things that will impact us, and that shows in his teaching. Beyond that, he has a great rapport with us all — he remembers things you have told him, and you can tell he really, truly cares. I feel very blessed that we have him as a professor.”

About the award

 

Nominate

Nominations for all awards are due by April 1st.

Previous Award Winners