Awards
Accreditations and Recognitions
Award Announcement
Sylvia Arrizola, Police Admin & Support Services Director, has been awarded a MD Anderson Distinguished Mentor Award.
The Distinguished Mentor Award recognizes administrative staff or classified employees who are exceptional mentors to fellow employees at MD Anderson.
The nomination highlighted Arrizola's outstanding leadership and a strong commitment to mentoring. Her approachability, dedication, and personalized guidance have helped her mentees grow both professionally and personally. She has been instrumental in building their confidence, problem-solving skills, and leadership abilities.
Latest Awards - Departmental Recognition
| Award Category | Recipients |
| Civilian Employee of the Year | Eric Thacker, 2025 |
| Investigator of the Year | Johnathan Fraley, 2025 |
| Police Officer of the Year | Terri Johnson, 2025 |
| Rookie Police Officer of the Year | Valerie Smith-Williams, 2025 |
| Public Safety Officer of the Year | Ruben Arnsworth, 2025 |
| Telecommunicator of the Year | Carol Walker, 2025 |
| Supervisor of the Year | Brodie Riner, 2025 |
| Leadership Award | Marvin Radford, 2025 |
Latest Awards - External Recognition
| Award Category | Recipients |
| MD Anderson Distinguished Mentor Award | Sylvia Arrizola, 2025 |
Past Awards
- 2024 Awards
External Awards, UT Police at Houston
- 2024 William Adcox, Campus Safety Director of the Year, Finalist
- 2024 Lekan Kolleade, HLSR Armed Forces Committee First Responder of the Year
- 2024 Michael Milner, HLSR Armed Forces Committee First Responder of the Year
- 2024 Philip Nguyen, HLSR Armed Forces Committee First Responder of the Year
- 2024 Brodie Riner, HLSR Armed Forces Committee First Responder of the Year
- 2024 Covell Johnson, UTHealth President's Award for Leadership
- 2024 Isaac Graham, MD Anderson's Staff Educator of the Year
- 2024 Roy Lee, Sr., MD Anderson's May Heart of MD Anderson
- 2024 Roy Williams, IAHSS Soaring Eagle Leadership Award
Departmental Recognition
- 2024 Civilian Employee of the Year - Claudia Garcia
- 2024 Investigator of the Year - Matt Cardenas
- 2024 Public Safety Officer of the Year - Tayelegn Abebe
- 2024 Telecommunicator of the Year - Angel Sanders
- 2024 Supervisor of the Year - Donnia Thompson
- 2024 Leadership Award - Wayne Smith
- 2024 Police Officer of the Year - Jaylin Thornton
- 2024 Rookie Police Officer of the Year - Terri Johnson
- 2023 Awards
External Awards, UT Police at Houston
- 2023 CSO50 Award
- 2023 OSPA Outstanding Security Team Award Finalist
Departmental Recognition
- 2023 Civilian Employee of the Year - Alma Garza
- 2023 Investigator of the Year - Philip Nguyen
- 2023 Public Safety Officer of the Year - Lester Smith
- 2023 Telecommunicator of the Year - Kira Darby
- 2023 Supervisor of the Year - Tito Latiff
- 2023 Leader of the Year - Sylvia Arrizola
- 2022 Awards
External Awards, Individual
- Ray Gerwitz, 2022 Texas Police Chiefs Association Executive Leadership Award
- Robert Haynes, 2022 International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 Under 40
Departmental Recognition
- 2022 Civilian Employee of the Year - Carlos Morales
- 2022 Inspector of the Year - Covell Johnson
- 2022 Investigator of the Year - James Gonzales
- 2022 Public Safety Officer of the Year - David Fox
- 2022 Rookie of the Year - Bethaney Covington
- 2022 Telecommunicator of the Year - Shaleitha Scott
- 2022 Supervisor of the Year - Lt. Justin Taylor
- 2022 Innovation Award - Claudia Garcia | Robert Haynes
- 2021 Awards
External Awards, UT Police at Houston
External Awards, Individual
- Devante James, 2021 Texas Association of College and University Police Administration Larry W. Fultz Memorial Award for Excellence
- Diana Sabater, 2021 IAHSS Houston Local Chapter Commendation of Distinction
- Vicki King, 2021 IACLEA Award for Administrative Excellence
- Raymond Gerwitz, 2021 Campus Safety Director of the Year
- Raul Tenorio, 2021 HLSR Armed Forces Appreciation Committee First Responder of the Year
Departmental Recognition
- 2021 Civilian Employee of the Year - Lamar Pitre
- 2021 Inspector of the Year - Mary Lentshcke
- 2021 Investigator of the Year - Viola Douglas | Carlos Guzman
- 2021 Police Officer of the Year - Keylon LaSalle
- 2021 Public Safety Officer of the Year - Vera Hayes
- 2021 Telecommunicator of the Year - Josselyn Alvarez
MD Anderson Awards
- Elson Ayoub, April 2021 Heart of MD Anderson
- Roberto "Rob" Ramos, 2021 MD Anderson Distinguished Mentor Award
UT System Police Featured Officers of the Month
- 2020 Awards
External Awards, UT Police at Houston
External Awards, Individual
- Jason Lipe, 2020 ASIS Houston Outstanding Security Officer
UTHealth Awards
- Manuel Leston, 2020 President's Award for Leadership
MD Anderson Awards
- Manuel Leston, 2020 MD Anderson Staff Educator of the Year
- 2019 Awards
External Awards, UT Police at Houston
- 2019 Security 500 #4 Healthcare Sector
- 2019 IAHSS Local Chapter Team of the Year
- 2019 Pearland Islamic Center Award of Appreciation
External Awards, Individual
- David Cribbs, 2019 ASIS Professional Certification Board Regional Award of Achievement
- Raymond Gerwitz, 2019 IAHSS Foundation's Russell L. Colling Literary Achievement Medal
- William Adcox, 2019 Campus Safety Magazine's Director of the Year Finalist
MD Anderson Awards
- Manuel Leston, 2019 MD Anderson Educators' Forum Educator of the Quarter (First Quarter)
- Mary Gonzalez, May 2019 Heart of MD Anderson Outstanding Employee Award
- Scott Barnwell, 2019 MD Anderson Distinguished Educator