“See you soon” to Denise Floerchinger
The following is a statement from Manish Suneja, MD, Vice Chair for Education and Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program.
After 40 years of dedicated service to University of Iowa Health Care, Denise Floerchinger is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to medical education.
For more than 15 years as Fellowship Programs Administrator for the Department of Internal Medicine, Denise has been the steady hand, trusted advisor, and welcoming face behind countless fellows arriving at the University of Iowa. Her expertise, professionalism, and institutional knowledge have shaped the experiences of generations of fellows, faculty, and program leaders. Through her tireless dedication, she has helped build excellence in every program while supporting learners and colleagues with grace, wisdom, and genuine kindness.
To so many of us, Denise has been far more than an exceptional administrator, she has been a mentor, a problem solver, a confidante, and a cherished friend. Her warmth, generosity, humor, and commitment to others have left an indelible mark on our department and on the many lives she has touched throughout her remarkable career.
While we will miss seeing Denise each day, we are profoundly grateful for her four decades of extraordinary service and the lasting legacy she leaves behind.
Congratulations, Denise! Thank you for 40 incredible years of service, friendship, and excellence. We wish you every happiness in the exciting chapters ahead!
Read what her colleagues have to say about her:
Denise is an amazing person and we are going to miss her so much! She always has a positive, can-do attitude and is the most organized person I know. She works miracles to herd the rest of us like cats and keep programs and meetings and curriculum running smoothly. I know once I ask for her help with something, it is taken care of and I do not have to worry about it. She is also a fun-loving, country music loving, outdoors and project loving woman who I know will really embrace and enjoy her retirement. Denise, thank you so much for all you have done for our residency and fellowship programs and for your personal support and friendship over the years. Appreciate you.
– Krista Johnson
Denise! I’m so very excited for you! I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to work with you-your can-do attitude, your amazing work ethic, and your knowledge of EVERYTHING was always astounding to me. Your kindness and dedication to the residency program and the fellowship programs cannot be overstated. I hope that your retirement allows for plenty of time with your family and country music performances!
– Katie Harris
Hundreds of fellows and countless program coordinators and program directors have benefited from Denise’s expertise, commitment, and resourcefulness. For me personally, working with Denise has been an amazing experience. She’s just so good: knowledgeable, resourceful, detail-oriented, proactive, organized, wise, principled, and a terrific communicator. Contra the rest of us, she doesn’t seem to make mistakes! On those occasions Denise and I have remembered something differently, it has saved time for me to simply accept Denise’s position, because she invariably has been right. I appreciate she has not held this fact over my head and will really miss popping in her office to experience her can-do attitude and good humor and to talk about recent travels, concerts, and renovation projects. Thank you, Denise, for everything!!
– Brian Gehlbach
Denise – I can’t believe the count has gotten down to zero. I remember 162! HA! We are going to miss you over here but you have earned this well-deserved next phase! Now go and enjoy it! All the best to you!
– Stacy Sueppel
Denise,
Congratulations on your retirement. I am grateful we had more than 20 years working together as a team. I appreciated your knowledge, organizational skills, dedication , and unwavering support. You partnered with me with every curricular project, presentations for national meetings, and preparation for promotion. I am most grateful that our time together created a friendship that will last a lifetime.Cheers,
– Gwen Beck
Denise is incredibly knowledgeable and always willing to help however she can. Even before I joined the Residency Program team, I recall reaching out to her with questions about various fellowship items and she was immediately responsive and helpful. That has remained true in the 5+ year I have gotten to work closely with her. Denise, thank you for all that you have done to teach me and guide me! I will miss you and I hope you enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
– Abbey Gilpin
Denise: I always enjoyed our discussions on Mondays about how the Broncos did that weekend. It was great having another person close by to share those highs and lows with!
– Andrew Bryant
Thank you, Denise! Your ability to organize our residency and fellows is beyond compare and your kindness always shines through, even on the toughest days. Thank you for all you have done, Denise, (and continue to do) for the department and trainees!
– Carly Kuehn
Denise, best wishes on your retirement. I can’t imagine how much fun you are going to have. I do want to say that we have been so fortunate to benefit from your knowledge, wisdom, and humor. We have always been able to count on you and you will be missed. Enjoy your retirement!
– Vicki Kijewski
Denise is phenomenal! She has always been a bright, cheerful, and helpful presence in the hallway. I remember her walking us to interviews when I interviewed here for residency and how this was not only the only place that had people walk me to interviews but what an incredibly nice person too! She’s always early and when I’ve unexpectantly needed help early she has always been ready to help at a moment’s notice and gets things done so quickly and perfectly.
– Jennifer Strouse
The message from Suneja at the top of this post was followed by an invitation to an open house celebration on Tuesday afternoon in the department’s “Library,” a small conference room near the administrative offices. Colleagues, including Chair & DEO Upi Singh, MD, came not just to thank her for her years of service but for the many ways she showed friendship and kindness to them. Floerchinger’s husband, daughter, and son-in-law were in attendance as well.
