Throughout the year, the Thompson Center PIQ program recognizes our team members for a professionalism, initiative, and quality (PIQ). Employees can send their colleagues “PIQ cards” that celebrate instances of excellence in these three areas. Each year the Thompson Center selects one person to receive the Top PIQ Award. This year’s nominees were Jennifer Truelove, LPN; Ali Cooper, BCBA; Dr. John Hall, psychiatrist; Shelby Hert, social worker; and Lauren Sapp, psychometrist. Here are what each of their nominators had to say about them:
Jennifer Truelove, LPN – 2023 Top PIQ Recipient
Read more about Jen in this post.
Ali Cooper, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
- Ali has taken on new duties this year in becoming a Senior Behavior Analyst, including clinical supervision, waitlist management, and covering for the ABIS Director.
- This year, Ali has volunteered for multiple LINK presentations, a program through the Thompson Center training core that offers continuing education for BCBAs.
- Ali is a lead on the Thompson Center’s Safety Care Team and a member of the Building Up Morale (BUM) committee.
- Ali teaches an ABA undergraduate practicum course at the University of Missouri. This year, she stepped up to teach a master’s level course in the spring when more instructors were needed.
- Ali collaborates with other divisions in many ways, including hosting observers for the Severe Behavior Clinic and consulting with the medical team for the new ABA/medical clinic.
- Ali is always willing to help with odds-and-ends tasks as well, such as repairing bean bags with the sewing kit she keeps in her desk.
John Hall, M.D.
- As the Thompson Center’s only psychiatrist, Dr. Hall is one of the clinic’s busiest physicians.
- Dr. Hall trains the next generation of child and adolescent psychiatrists through continuity clinics.
- Dr. Hall is known for providing expert and compassionate care.
- Dr. Hall’s colleagues seek out his thoughtful consultation, which elevates the care provided to our patients.
- The ongoing hallway Scrabble and chess matches between Dr. Hall and Dr. Lasseter brings joy to team members throughout the center.
Shelby Hert, LMSW
- The Thompson Center’s new Family Resource Services team was established and supervised by Shelby this year.
- Shelby is passionate about supporting families and engaged in the Thompson Center’s mission.
- Her expertise is essential for guiding families through challenging situations.
- Shelby is prompt in her communication, thorough in task completion, and willing to fill in wherever she is needed.
- Shelby’s work helps every division at the Thompson Center in one way or another.
Lauren Sapp, B.S.
- As a psychometrist, Lauren administers complex assessments with compassion and patience.
- Lauren has effectively worked with patients that other parties have deemed “untestable” and “immeasurable.”
- Lauren is Research Reliable on the ADOS-2, which allows her to support the Thompson Center’s CASE clinic and work across clinical divisions.
- Lauren trains and mentors other psychometrists, trainees, and even some providers when learning new measures.
- Lauren has been involved in many of the Thompson Center’s recent innovations, including the foster care clinical team and leading organization of test protocols and materials.
Congratulations to all this year’s Top PIQ nominees! It is because of your professionalism, initiative, and quality that our center succeeds in our mission to support individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as their families.
