University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

HR Transformation receives Golden Buffalo

UB’s HR Transformation initiative has garnered another major recognition—this time from the Buffalo Niagara Human Resources Association.

The association, which is the Western New York chapter of the Society of Human Resource Professionals (SHRM)—the nation’s leading professional organization of HR executives—honored UB last week with its Golden Buffalo Award. The award, the most prestigious of 11 given by the local HR group, is presented to an HR organization that has engaged in a major transformation that has resulted in HR practices and services that create best-practice models.

Among the nominees for the Golden Buffalo Award, which was presented to UB at a dinner on March 12 attended by more than 400 HR professionals, were Rich Products, Fisher Price and the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.

The HR Transformation initiative, a project that examined the delivery of HR services across UB’s three campuses, is part of the UB 2020 strategic plan. It has resulted in many new services for UB faculty and staff, including programs focusing on employee wellness and professional development, and new divisional HR units.

The Golden Buffalo is the latest in a series of awards UB has received recognizing the HR Transformation initiative. The university also earned the 2008 Excellence in Human Resource Practices Award from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources and the first Excellence in HR Practices Award from the State University of New York Human Resources Association, the organization of HR professionals at SUNY institutions.

BNMC sponsors events

The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus will hold two free events next week for researchers, scientists and staff working at the BNMC, as well as members of the community.

“Stressbusters: Tips for Handling the Stress of Life” will be the topic of the next Wellness on Wednesdays (WOW) lunch-and-learn session on March 25 in Swift Auditorium at Buffalo General Hospital, 125 High St. (enter at High and Ellicott). A light lunch will be served, beginning at 11:50 a.m., with the lecture running from 12:10-12:50 p.m. To reserve a place, send an email to rsvp@bnmc.org.

The next Beakers ’n Beer networking event will be held from 5-7 p.m. March 26 in Campieri’s, 888 Main St. R.S.V.P. to rsvp@bnmc.org.

Estate planning topic of EAP session

“Estate Planning,” the first session in a four-part series on “Planning Your Future” offered by the Employee Assistance Program, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon March 24 in the Jeannette Martin Room, 567 Capen Hall, North Campus.

The session, to be conducted by attorney Lisa Allen, will answer such questions as: What happens if I die without a will? Who takes care of my children if I am not around? How do I make sure that my health care wishes will be honored if I’m in a coma?

The session is free of charge and open to all UB faculty and staff. To register, click here.