Originally scheduled for the previous Friday, the same night that a blizzard visited eastern Iowa, the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism was able to get their reservation of the ballroom in the historic Iowa Memorial Union moved a week later. Members of the division had little trouble making the adjustment in their schedules, relieved to not have to risk travel.

Dozens of faculty, fellows, and staff filled the ample space, helping themselves to appetizers and drinks and catching up on recent events. Significant others were introduced and “shop talk” seemed to be at a minimum. Then guests helped themselves to a variety of options in a well-stocked buffet.

After dinner and dessert, Division Administrator Collin Just, MBA, introduced himself and served as emcee for a couple of games that had been prepared. First, the answers to a contact sheet of baby photos and names were revealed, some easily confirmed by the chorus of voices in the room.

Next, volunteers who had earlier submitted “two truths and a lie” to event organizers held their breath while the room guessed which was the fabrication. Some discussion of the temperature of hotel room air conditioning units and member hobbies added to the fun.

Then it was time for the recognition of individual excellence. Division Director Ayotunde Dokun, MD, PhD, FACE presented service awards to members who have been at Iowa for 5 (Peggy Scott), 10 (Renata Pereira and Monica High), 25 (Brenda Vittetoe), and even 40 years. That last went to Mark Yorek, PhD, professor in Endocrinology and Associate Chief of Staff for Research at the Iowa City VA Health System.

Dokun also recognized the 8 division clinicians who are currently among the Top 10% in patient satisfaction scores:

Erin Cline
Marcelo Correia 
Joseph Dillon
Ayotunde Dokun
Brianne Foulker
Helen Gnanapragasam
Katie Robinson
Amal Shibli-Rahhal

Dokun then recognized a member who had earned an Exceptional Performance Award, a means of the division to reward members who have dramatically contributed to institution success. This year, Monica High was recognized for her work in consistently obtaining bone density scans for patients in tight windows of time, sometimes against great odds, such as a malfunctioning machine, in order for clinicians to determine next steps in care plans.

Dokun also recognized Kim Tolsdorf, Division Coordinator, who not only planned and organized the entire evening, but has been putting in remarkable effort keeping the division’s activities on course. The assembled guests were quick to deliver well-deserved applause to Tolsdorf.

Finally, after a drawing for some gift baskets (also assembled by Tolsdorf), guests were invited to enjoy the music, fill to-go boxes with leftover food from the buffet, and to enjoy each other’s company for a little while longer.