Employee Recognition Program FAQs

What are the chances of my nominee receiving an award?

Up to 12 awards are distributed per month; so up to 25% of employees will be able to receive an award each year.

Can someone get an award if they already received one?

Nominees can only receive one award each year, but the Star Performer Committee tracks and acknowledges all nominations. Awardees may receive medallions for up to four years, and will then become lifetime Star Performer members.

  • Year 1: Star Performer
  • Year 2: Bronze Star Performer
  • Year 3: Silver Star Performer
  • Year 4: Gold Star Performer (lifetime awardee)

Can more than one person nominate the same individual and will this increase their chances of receiving an award?

Yes, more than one person can nominate the same individual. It does strengthen a nomination to have more than one nominator.

How should my colleagues submit statements of support for my nomination?

Statements or letters of support can be submitted by using this simple online form or by by placing a hard copy of the nomination form at one of our 36 nomination box locations. Nomination boxes are located throughout the Weill Department of Medicine in patient care waiting rooms, employee lounges, and divisional administration offices.

When can I submit a nomination?

You can submit nominations at anytime, when you would like to recognize an employee for their exceptional work. Awards are distributed on a monthly basis.

Can I nominate myself?

It is not recommended for individuals to nominate themselves.

Who can submit a nomination?

Any member of WCM/NYP community can submit a nomination, as well as patients. Faculty and supervisors can nominate their staff, employees can nominate their supervisors, and coworkers can nominate one another. Nominations can also be submitted by alumni, students, and people within the WCM community who would like to recognize a WCM employee's work.

Who is eligible to receive an award?

These awards are intended primarily to acknowledge the work of benefits-eligible employees. Areas of service reviewed are: clinical support, administrative and sponsored research. These areas cover all academic non-faculty staff, and staff associates on Weill Department of Medicine payroll, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. These awards are not intended to recognize research or teaching accomplishments. Subcontractors, consultants, and temporary employees are not eligible for awards.

Does my nominee have to meet every criteria of the STAR performance categories?

A nominee does not have to meet every criteria, but they should meet most of the criteria.

How are the award recipients selected?

The Star Performer Committee reviews all nominations and scores them based on how well they demonstrate specific criteria. It is very helpful to the committee if the nominator responds to each of the four Star Performer questions regarding the nominee. The committee also considers the diversity of the pool of recipients. Effort is made to include the most broadly representative group possible. However, the standard of excellence is the primary factor.

How is the selection committee assembled?

Each year the Office of Faculty & Staff Support puts together as diverse and broadly representative a committee as possible. All job categories, including faculty and a wide array of divisions, research laboratories and clinical practices are represented. Division Chiefs and Divisional Administrators can nominate faculty and staff on an annual basis to serve on the committee.

How will I know if my nominee has been selected?

All nominators will be informed of the results, either by phone or by email and by letter, on a bimonthly basis.

How are nominees notified if they have been selected for an RRR award?

On a monthly basis, nominees and their supervisors will receive a written notification of their nomination. On a bimonthly basis, supervisors will be informed if their staff has won an award. Supervisors will present star performance medallions to awardees at a divisional meeting.

What awards do the recipients receive?

Recipients of the Star Performer Award will receive a blue star medallion for their employee identification badge. Second year recipients receive the title of Bronze Star Performer, third year recipients receive the title of Silver Star Performer, and fourth year recipients receive the title of Gold Star Performer.

The RRR Committee can select up to 10 Star Performers per month, or 120 per year. The winners with the top two nominations each month are named Super Star Performers (up to 24 recipients per year). These top nominees will receive $100 gift cards, to be distributed throughout the year.

All awardees and their supervisors are invited to attend the annual RRR awards reception. The following awards are distributed at the ceremony:

  • The Guiding Star Award is given to an employee with more than 10 years of service.
  • The Rising Star Award is given to an employee with under two years of service.
  • The Shining Star Award is given to a clinical non-physician provider with nominations from patients.
  • The Radiant Star Award is given to an employee in a clinical practice with nominations from patients.
  • The Dynamic Star Award is given to an employee with internal nominations received from faculty and/or staff.

Who has received an award?

An archived list of award recipients is available here.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/
Weill Cornell Medical Center
Weill Department of Medicine
525 East 68th Street, Box 130
New York, NY 10065

Office of the Chair

530 East 70th Street, M-522
New York, NY 10021
medchair@med.cornell.edu

For information on major gifts, contact:
Emily Anderson
Principal Gifts Officer
(646) 962-7687
ema2020@med.cornell.edu

Administration Office

1320 York Avenue, HT-621
New York, NY 10021

Residency Office

530 East 70th Street, M-507
New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 746-4749
Fax: (212) 746-6692
NYPCornell-IMResidency
@med.cornell.edu