The Epidemiology Staff Award recognizes an exceptional staff member who has made valuable contributions to the culture, environment, and/or scientific research in the Epidemiology Program of the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutch.
May 2025 Awardee: April Reitan
“April quietly goes about her work and you would never know she is the lifeline for our studies in the Epi program. She is helping studies before studies actually begin, and continues helping, until the end. She has her hand in all phases of a study. April will meet with study staff to learn about a new study and from there she takes off. She can program surveys and reports in REDCap, help with designing forms, teaching new staff about specimen tracking, and the list goes on … April is always ready to volunteer on the (unofficial) party committee for Epi. She contributes time and ideas to help make the occasion special. I know I speak for all of us when I say we would be lost without her. Thank you, April!”
“I have worked with April in many different capacities since she has been at the Hutch. She has a warm and friendly demeanor and is always willing to help you. She has spent considerable time outside of her work attaining new job skills. She learned how to create programs for the study managers and became … the person to go to for REDCap questions and fixes. She is our expert in all things dealing with tissue culture. She is knowledgeable, a great fellow co-worker, a patient teacher and friend.”
May 2025 Awardee: Sable Fest
“She’s been such a bright light and had been a real asset to the Epi program over the past few years. Her joy, kindness, strong work ethic, and passion for her field are just a few of the reasons she deserves to be recognized … Whatever the task, she shows up fully, ready to give it her all. But it’s not just about her work—Sable is also just a wonderful person to have around. She always brings positive energy, whether she’s jumping in to help at events, chatting with coworkers, or just showing up with a big smile and a kind word. She makes time for people and helps build the friendly and supportive vibe in Epi. Sable is one of those people who makes the workplace better just by being in it. Her mix of professionalism, enthusiasm, and genuine care for others is something special.”
November 2024 Awardee: Kari Dempewolf
“Kari is one of the first ‘faces’ every new staff member meets. I think of her as the glue that holds our department together as she assists every single one of us, which is no easy job … She continues to grow in her role and in doing so, helps create a team environment for our department.”
“Kari is a crucial member of the Epi Team and should be recognized for all her hard work, dedication, flexibility, and support of both faculty and staff. There are few people who interact with almost everyone in the Epi department. Kari is always willing to jump in, help, show someone how to do something … all with a smile ... Kari is also willing to learn new skills and take on additional tasks to grow her skill set. Kari in her short time here has become a go-to person for just about everything. Epi would literally be lost without her knowledge and help.”
May 2024 Awardee: Nancy Blythe
"Nancy is approachable and offers invaluable advice to her peers. Her ability to listen attentively and provide insightful guidance fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment, making her an invaluable asset to our team. She consistently demonstrates creativity and innovative thinking in approaching challenges. Her ability to think outside the box brings fresh perspectives to our projects, leading to enhanced outcomes and solutions."
"Nancy is the charismatic backbone of the Epidemiology Program. She never shies away from a challenging task, and her door is always open for questions and curiosities no matter what is on her plate. Nancy has a vested interest in everyone's professional and personal development in the program and is a cheerleader for us all. She is a dynamic team member who is willing to take the lead, mentor others, and be a key player in any project … Nancy brings a vibrant, cheerful atmosphere to the office, and we are so lucky to have her!"