At Sunvera Group, our goal is to enrich lives by empowering doctors and teams to advance in the evolving landscape of eye care. The values we display in our daily work are what allow us to be successful in achieving this mission.
Each quarter, we select one stand-out team member throughout the Sunvera network to receive the United in Our Vision Award.
Recipients of the award are those who consistently demonstrate Sunvera’s core values: Put People First, Together we Succeed, and Pursuit of Excellence. This quarter, team members across the organization were asked to focus on our core value: Together We Succeed, and to nominate a colleague that consistently exhibit these behaviors in their daily work.
Out of 500+ team members throughout Sunvera, there were 27 nominations, who were then scored by our panel of judges to bring us to our Top 5. We are thrilled to honor Cara Stefan at Castleman Eye Center for her commitment to the Together We Succeed value!
Here is just one of the comments Cara’s fellow team members had to say about her.
“Cara has been an indispensable member of our team for years. Not only does she perform her regularly required tasks, but she often goes above and beyond to help staff and patients. As Clinical Team Leader, she trains, manages and assists clinical staff – which is never an easy job. She has the ability to function as their leader, co-worker and friend depending on the situation. When it comes to patients, she is a true advocate. She triages after hour patient calls when the doctor is on vacation and refers them to wherever needed. She has even given patients rides home after work if they don’t have transportation, or driven to their homes to drop off samples when they can’t afford their medications. At times she has come into work on her scheduled days off if the office is short staffed. She is the definition of “team player”, and someone to be admired. Her hard work and dedication are unwavering. We are truly lucky to have her on our team.”
– Kellie Pettinga, Practice Administrator at Castleman Eye Center
“I am writing to recommend Cara Stefan for the Outstanding Service Award due to her exceptional dedication to patient care and support. Cara’s commitment is evident in her proactive approach, as she assists patients in need regardless of responsibility, providing comfort during difficult procedures. Her ability to clearly explain complex medical procedures has significantly reduced patient anxiety and improved understanding. Beyond her regular duties, she stays late to ensure patients receive necessary care, even overcoming language barriers to ensure full comprehension. During Dr. Singh’s absence, Cara took on the on-call responsibilities, managing patient concerns efficiently and providing ongoing support. Additionally, she has contributed to office operations by educating staff on medical terminology and procedures, improving overall efficiency. Cara consistently exceeds expectations, embodying the values of compassion, professionalism, and dedication. I strongly recommend her for the award. Please feel free to contact me if you need further information. Sincerely, Lynn Hayward.”
– Lynn Hayward, Castleman Eye Center
“Cara is an extremely conscientious and hard-working team player. She is passionate and cares about her coworkers and the doctor she works for she not only works while I’m at the clinic but is also available to take care of patient matters after hours and when there are emergencies. She is a leader that leads by example, Kara deserves recognition for all that she does for Sunvera !!”
– Dr. Arezo Amirikia, Retina & Vitreous Ophthalmologist at Castleman Eye Center
Congratulations Cara!
In addition, we would also like to recognize our team members that were among the Top 5 nominees. This achievement highlights the power of our unity and shared purpose. Thank you for being vital contributors to our joint success.
Wendy Smith– Kellis Eye & Laser Center
Sheila Chrneneko – Clavenna Eye Institute
Angela Wellman – Michigan Oculofacial Specialists
Jessica Khasan – Adelson Eye & Laser Center / Northville Vision Clinic
ABOUT THE UNITED IN OUR VISION AWARDS
The United in our Vision Awards were created to identify and honor the team members across our organization who truly and consistently demonstrate the values and behaviors that help us to achieve our mission.
- Put People First – Be service-minded, respectful, empathetic and embrace the diversity of our patients and colleagues. Be truthful and act with integrity, creating a safe and ethical environment for all.
- Together we Succeed – Encouraging collaboration in the workplace and demonstrating the value of teamwork. Consistently willing to go beyond your defined role to bring value and enrich the lives of others.
- Pursuit of Excellence – Striving for the highest quality experience regardless of our individual role. Applying innovation and a solution-oriented mindset to advance and improve even in the most challenging situations.
The United in our Vision Awards are a quarterly program, so be sure to look out for the next round of nominations coming soon!