Shining a Light on Recognition: UTHealth Houston’s John S. Dunn Behavioral Science Center Launches Partnership with AwardCo

At UTHealth Houston’s John S. Dunn Behavioral Science Center (BSC), we know that the heart of our mission lies in the people who carry it out every day. That’s why we’re proud to announce our new partnership with AwardCo, a leading employee recognition and rewards platform designed to celebrate dedication, compassion, and excellence in the workplace.

A Mission-Aligned Partnership

As the largest academic psychiatric campus in the United States, the John S. Dunn Behavioral Science Center is committed to breaking down barriers in behavioral health care and providing a continuum of care for those facing behavioral health disorders. In AwardCo, we’ve found a partner that shares our passion for making a difference, this time, by recognizing the people who make that difference possible.

AwardCo’s mission to “recognize the good” aligns perfectly with our values. Their platform brings positivity and gratitude to the forefront, making it easier than ever to say “thank you,” “great job,” or “we appreciate you.” Whether it’s peer-to-peer or manager-to-peer, every recognition is a reminder that the work our employees do matters.

Launch Day: A Celebration of Gratitude

We officially launched our partnership on July 15th with celebration events for both our day and night shift employees. From branded sunglasses and swag to popcorn and sweet treats, we were able to shed light, literally and figuratively on this exciting new program. The energy was contagious, and we could see the excitement ripple through our campus.

And the results speak for themselves: in just two days, we’ve already seen 75+ recognitions submitted through the platform. That’s 75 moments of appreciation, 75 reasons to smile, and 75 reminders that our work is seen and valued.

Recognition in Action

Don Childress, Training Specialist at BSC, shared his experience:

“I did 4 recognitions and it took me all of 5 minutes. The platform was very user-friendly and simple to search and recognize my peers. This brightened my day to see that we can recognize our peers and bring morale up. Word travels fast, and something as simple as ‘someone recognized me today’ can go a long way for employees!”

And Don isn’t alone. Here are just a few of the recognitions already submitted:

“Her loyalty is unwavering and she inspires me every day.”

“He always has a positive attitude and smile, which makes everyone's day a little brighter. Thank you for your professionalism and dedication.”

“He is an awesome coworker that steps in to assist the team without hesitation. Thank you for your dedication.”

“My team is so awesome. Everybody chips in where it is needed. We're not only coworkers but we look at each other as family and that to me says a lot. I couldn't ask for a better team.”

These messages are more than just words; they’re moments of connection, appreciation, and encouragement that help build a stronger, more supportive workplace.

Just the Beginning

This is more than a program; it’s a movement. A movement to uplift, appreciate, and celebrate the people who make our mission possible. With AwardCo, BSC is building a culture where recognition is part of our everyday language.

Behavioral Sciences Campus Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Daniel Doyle shares, “We are extremely excited to be the first institution in UTHealth Houston to launch the AwardCo platform. This tool is a great way to recognize all the outstanding work that occurs on our campus every day. The easy-to-use platform is a way for staff to highlight, thank and acknowledge coworkers across the Behavioral Sciences Campus, and it only takes a minute to show others our sincere appreciation.” While BSC may be the first department at UTHealth Houston to launch with AwardCo, other areas across the institution are exploring adopting the platform as well. We’re excited for this milestone and look forward to the growth potential in the near future!

Let the Recognition Continue

To our incredible team: thank you for all you do. Your commitment, compassion, and excellence are the foundation of everything we achieve. We look forward to seeing your continued recognition and praise for all the efforts and good work!