Co-workers who know Carolyn Whitmire frequently mention her attention to detail, technical skills, professionalism and superior knowledge as strong characteristics — characteristics certainly valued in her role as research compliance manager.

Research Compliance Manager Carolyn Whitmire is April’s Employee of the Month. If you know someone who should be named employee of the month, nominate them. Send at least three letters of recommendation to Jason Turner at jturn1@uab.edu. For more, visit www.uab.edu/eotm.

“Carolyn is a colleague with whom I can easily discuss ideas and strategies as well as an adviser,” Ayer says. “Her spirit of collaboration and communications makes her a valuable asset both to the university and the research community.”

Whitmire’s collaborative spirit is cited by many as a key reason she is deserving of her selection as April’s Employee of the Month. Whitmire’s list of responsibilities is long, but her desire to help others achieve success in their jobs is unmatched, co-workers say.

Whitmire coordinates activities within the research compliance office. She supervises three research compliance auditors and is in charge of projects related to audits of clinical trial-billing and effort-reporting issues.

She has been the leader of the Fiscal Approval Process and Siteminder implementation project since 2008 and directed the clinical trials office during that time also. She has developed an aggressive implementation and training schedule for the fiscal approval process and Siteminder, a financial-management system. She’s done this in addition to her full schedule in the research compliance office.

Whitmire says she manages the dual roles by staying organized and relying on her superior staff.

“I always make sure I’m following up with our employees who have questions they need answered,” Whitmire says. “I think it’s critical in today’s environment that we foster a positive culture and perception of compliance. I want our employees to know that we are always available to answer questions or to provide guidance. More important, I want them to know that we are responsive.” 

“That’s the same with the clinical trials office. It is also a customer-oriented office. I have a tremendous staff there who work daily with the research community. That office continues to evolve and develop strong customer relationships.”

Richard Margison, vice president of financial affairs and administration, says Whitmire brings to her job a rare blend of technical skills, business savvy, leadership and excellent written and oral communication skills.

“She is the go-to person in a highly specialized and technical area and consistently delivers measurable value and results for the institution,” Margison says. “She leads and mentors the employees she supervises to reach beyond minimum position requirements. She isn’t hesitant to share credit and consistently demonstrates the understanding that those same staff members play a vital role in the department’s overall success.”

Whitmire’s compliance role is important for auditing, monitoring and assessing the risk to the institution. It means Whitmire is in constant communication with researchers throughout campus — one of the things she enjoys the most.

“I love the interaction with the coordinators and investigators, the people doing the day-to-day work who encounter problems and ask questions,” Whitmire says. “I feel like the people who contact me know they’re going to get a response. I may not always have an answer, but I can point them to the person who can help them. I have excellent employees in both offices that help make this happen. They have a commitment to UAB and compliance in general, and that’s important.”

One of the reasons Whitmire’s departments run smoothly is her unflappable demeanor, says Rosemary Bubien, nurse research manager of the arrhythmia section in the Department of Medicine.

“She simultaneously manages to keep her eye on UAB’s goals, uses feedback to improve and facilitate processes, integrates both process and goals and communicates the information clearly and concisely to all,” Bubien says. “Beyond that, she always is willing to assist us with troubleshooting specific difficulties.

“Regardless of whether she is fulfilling the role and responsibilities of her formal position or a role she has been asked to assume, she charts a steady course and gives 200 percent.”