Starlette Jones Dabbs, Joint Health Sciences Administrator III of Precision Medicine, Genomics and Genetics, has been named a recipient of the Dean’s Excellence Awards for Staff.

Dabbs joined UAB in 2004, and graduated from the UAB Medicine Institute for Leadership in December 2023, as part of its seventh cohort.

“This award is a testament to the collaborative spirit and hard work of everyone in our office,” said Dabbs. “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our collective success and to work alongside such talented and supportive colleagues.”

She currently serves on the Dean’s Office Executive Committee, and was nominated for the 2024-2025 Momentum Leaders in Medicine program, a leadership development initiative for women in executive roles.

“Starlette has exemplified the qualities of an outstanding executive administrator. She possesses a rare blend of organizational acumen, interpersonal skills, and a deep commitment to excellence,” said Jon Daniel Sharer, Ph.D., professor of Genetics. “Her ability to effectively manage complex administrative tasks, streamline operations, and foster collaboration among diverse teams has been instrumental in driving our organizational goals forward.”

Dabbs facilitates the development of research, clinical, education and administration mission-specific goals, associated tactics and implementation timelines. She also facilitated increased participation in teaching efforts within the Department of Genetics by networking with leadership teams across the institution to identify different categories of teaching contributions for undergraduate, graduate, and medical school courses.

“Starlette excels at promoting inclusivity within our institute, creating a welcoming environment for all staff and faculty,” said Matthew Might, Ph.D., Director of Hugh Kaul Precision Medicine Institute. “She demonstrates her commitment to inspiring and supporting others in their professional growth with proactive mentoring. Her reliable performance and strategic foresight have made her an indispensable leader within our institute and the broader Heersink community.”