Liz Suelzer Named MWCMLA’s Distinguished Librarian of the Year!

 Posted on behalf of Karen Hanus

We are thrilled to announce that Liz Suelzer, Applications Support Analyst Sr for the Advocate Health - Midwest Library, has been honored as the Midwest Chapter of the Medical Library Association’s Distinguished Librarian of the Year!

The Midwest Chapter of the Medical Library Association (MWCMLA) unites health sciences librarians across nine Midwestern states. The annual Distinguished Librarian of the Year Award recognizes an MWCMLA member at any career level who has provided outstanding service to the organization and advanced MWCMLA’s achievement and effectiveness.

Liz has held multiple MWCMLA leadership roles, including President-Elect, President, and Past President from 2019 to 2022, and currently serves as Chair of the Professional Practice Committee. In every role, she has brought vision, organization, and energy, transforming committee work and inspiring colleagues to achieve their best. Among her many outstanding contributions to the chapter, Liz launched the chapter’s Member Mixer Series, which created an engaging virtual event that fosters professional connection among our members. She also introduced the “Fan Favorite” award, which has expanded award recognition at the organization’s annual conference to include contributions beyond the traditional research categories. These initiatives reflect her commitment to inclusivity. Liz’s leadership and creativity extend beyond programming. She also guided the development of a strategic plan that set meaningful, achievable goals while positioning the Chapter for future growth.

The most important contribution for which Liz deserves this award is her leadership of the Professional Practice Committee. This committee has a challenging charge with a lot of members; it has been a tough committee to lead due to its size and sprawling purpose. Once Liz took over as chair of the committee, she was able to give its members a clear direction and successfully led the members and reinvigorated the group with a renewed sense of purpose. A member of the committee shared that “Liz made an immediate impression by effectively and efficiently leading her first meeting [of the Professional Practice Committee]. Her leadership, team building, and organizational skills are extraordinary. It only took one meeting for her to engage her committee members, clearly communicate the important work of this committee and convince us to actively participate. In my opinion, her efforts have resulted in the first highly successful execution of the committee’s original intent and purpose.” 

Congratulations, Liz, on this well-deserved recognition! Thank you for all you do to support and advance health sciences librarianship in the Midwest!

Nominate Someone for WHSLA's Librarian of the Year Award!

 

 Nominate one of your colleagues for WHSLA's Librarian of the Year Award! The deadline for nominations is October 31st, 2025.

This career award is bestowed upon a professional (MLS or equivalent) librarian in recognition of outstanding leadership, achievement and commitment to the library profession. The librarian shall be currently employed in a Wisconsin health sciences library and must be an active member of WHSLA.

Criteria for the award include (but are not limited to):

1. Distinguished service to the profession; outstanding participation in activities of professional associations; and notable 
2. publications, presentations and projects.
3. Dedicated leadership and vision in health sciences libraries including automation technology, management, networking,
4. education or service.
5. Active support of and participation in WHSLA.
6. Enhancement, expansion and interpretation of library service to the community and/or strengthening of the library's role and position in the community.
7. Development of innovative programs that have benefited WHSLA members. 

Nominate a colleague via WHSLA's Librarian of the Year nomination form. 

Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone is having a great fall! 

 

WHSLA 2023 Librarian of the Year

We are happy to announce that the WHSLA Librarian of the Year is Michele Matucheski! 

Michele was nominated by Brenda Fay, who highlighted Michele's service to WHSLA over the last 19 years, but also her kind, collaborative, and supportive nature, which has helped many WHSLA members over the years.

Michele received a plaque, flowers, and lunch with one of her favorite people. 

Congratulations, Michele!

WHSLA Librarian of the Year: Liz Suelzer

Congratulations to Liz Suelzer, recipient of the 2020 WHSLA Librarian of the Year Award! 

Join us in congratulating Liz on this well-deserved accomplishment. Read the nomination form below, submitted by Karen Hanus and Barb Ruggeri, to learn more about Liz's work.