Farewell to Monica Fawthrop

Monica received her degree in political science from the UW in 1984 and began working in a temporary role in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine in 1988.

She has been the division administrator for Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine since 2003 and for Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine since 2016.

Monica is well-known throughout the department as both a skillful and knowledgeable leader and as a pillar of support and mentorship.

She is known for her sense of humor, candor, and willingness to go the extra mile to support colleagues and team members throughout the organization.

Mentorship

Her skilled mentorship has had a profound impact across her divisions and the department. She has formally and informally mentored staff across many roles and experience levels, including providing onboarding, support and coaching to other division administrators.

Within the School of Medicine, Monica co-founded the Research Administrator Peer Network and participated in the School’s mentoring program. In addition, Monica’s leadership and mentorship through our national professional society has had far-reaching impacts on staff in academic internal medicine across the United States.

Monica’s mentorship is not just limited to staff members. Her deep understanding of and commitment to academic medicine has led to her mentorship of fellows and junior faculty. For more than ten years, she has presented at our annual workshop, “Surviving and Thriving in the Research Years,” helping fellows navigate their research path.

In addition to her personal willingness to provide mentorship, Monica has taken on committee work and pushed initiatives within our department and school to advance mentorship, training and staff recognition and development.

Monica helped create and served as co-chair of the departmental Core Competency staff development series, which was designed to help ensure staff understand the bounty of career opportunities within our department. In this role, she helped build a foundation for staff to be able to think openly about career development and connect with possible mentors to help grow their career.

“Among Monica’s countless contributions to the Department of Medicine throughout her career, her mentorship and support of staff growth and development has made a significant impact on department culture,” said Betsy Buswell, vice chair for finance and administration. “Her generosity with her time, guidance, knowledge, and recognition of others has contributed to the growth and success of countless  individuals in our organization.”

In recognition of her countless contributions to mentorship, Monica received a Department of Medicine Gender Equity Mentorship Award in 2023.

Leadership

A consummate and experienced leader, Monica took on multiple important leadership roles in the launch of the UW Financial Transformation (UWFT), the University’s largest financial system transition in 50 years.

She facilitated information flow across our department and with the School of Medicine by co-hosting departmental meetings, representing the department at School of Medicine UWFT sessions, and mentoring staff across our department as the system was being built.

In addition, she served as a representative in the Grant Award to Close workgroup, representing our department and school.

In her role in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, “Monica grew with the division, becoming an integral and highly respected leader in the expansion of the division’s clinical, scholarship, research and training programs,” said former Division Head Dr. Robb Glenny. “She applied her innate leadership and strong social skills to build friendships and high-functioning teams across the large and disseminated division. While setting high expectations, she was always there to help staff and faculty realize their full potentials. She was deeply connected to the division and could not have been any more supportive of trainees, staff and faculty.”

Highly regarded for her skill in navigating difficult situations and her unique ability to anticipate and address challenges, she is a sought-after resource to many within and outside of the divisions she oversees.

“Over the past decade, Monica has shown that it is possible to lead two or more divisions at once, establishing synergies with staff and faculty across divisions,” said Dr. Wayne McCormick, head of the Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. “Monica has consistently led the way through difficult times, helping senior faculty and leadership through sensitive issues with intelligence, compassion, tact, and integrity. The entire Department of Medicine owes her our deepest gratitude for this – her legacy of leading by example.”

Monica has also had a national presence and multiple leadership roles with our professional society, Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine (AAIM), including as an AAIM Board of Director member, Chair of the AAIM Finance and Audit Committee and Business of Medicine Initiative Task Force, and as President and Treasurer of the Administrators of Internal Medicine (AIM) Council.

In addition, she has been an influential contributor to DEI initiatives in the Department of Medicine through her work co-chairing the Department of Medicine Staff DEI Advisory group and as a member of the Department of Medicine DEI Strategic Plan Workgroup. 

Monica has been recognized with the UW School of Medicine Service Excellence Award, and the national Administrators of Internal Medicine (AIM) Distinguished Service award. She has also been nominated for a Department of Medicine Outstanding Staff Award, the John R. Pettit Leadership Award, as well as the UW Distinguished Staff Award and David B. Thorud Leadership Award, two of the University’s highest honors.

“Her remarkable talents are akin to maintaining many spinning plates in the air and deftly ensuring the stability of all,” said Dr. Reena Mehra, division head, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. “As she has done this, she has been incredibly giving of herself with her deeply rooted loyalty, dedication and commitment to the health and success of her divisions and the department.”

Monica’s achievements throughout her career have had a significant  impact on the department, school, university, and members of our profession nationally.

She has made immeasurable contributions to mentorship, professional development, and a positive culture, and has led countless impactful initiatives in the Department of Medicine throughout her career.

We sincerely thank her for her many years of outstanding service and wish her the best in her retirement. She will be greatly missed.