"I was totally surprised," he says. "The fact that I was nominated by my co-workers was honor enough."

Photo by Bob Boston

Larry J. Shapiro, M.D. (left), executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the medical school, congratulates Arbi Ben Abdallah, Ph.D., on receiving the Dean's Distinguished Service Award. Co-workers say Ben Abdallah is the glue that holds the department together.

The Dean's Distinguished Service Award annually recognizes an employee whose outstanding contributions exemplify an exceptional commitment and dedication to the School of Medicine.

Two decades ago, Ben Abdallah came to the University from Tunisia, North Africa, to earn his doctorate in economics in Arts & Sciences.

In 1994, he took a position as a statistical data analyst with the Department of Psychiatry's Epidemiology and Prevention Research Group (EPRG) headed by Linda Cottler, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology in psychiatry.

"I like the environment at the University and how supportive everyone here is of each other," he says. "I feel very connected to the people here."

His co-workers say he is "the glue that holds the pieces of the EPRG together."

"I could give you hundreds of examples why Arbi should be honored for his distinguished service not only to the EPRG, but also to the whole University," Cottler says. "He is always willing to help out, and he never rests until the job is perfect — not done, but perfect. He anticipates the work and is eager to take on any part of the work load."

For the nomination process, more than a dozen of Ben Abdallah's co-workers put together a creative book (instead of the typical nomination form) outlining Abdallah's many talents. In the eight-page book, they ardently assert that he is "an experienced troubleshooter with creative ideas and sound judgment. Arbi supports the values and principles that guide the School of Medicine."

They also add that Ben Abdallah's excellent sense of wit and humor "helps maintain a sense of calm in the office — even in the midst of the chaos surrounding a grant submission or other major deadlines."

The EPRG staff calls Ben Abdallah, who recently became a U.S. citizen, a quiet leader who works in the background to advance all of the group's projects.

His great work ethic, thoughtful and sensitive demeanor coupled with his amazing knowledge of statistics and computers are a few of the reasons his co-workers were compelled to nominate him.

When he's not working on research projects for the EPRG, Ben Abdallah spends time tending to the hundreds of tomatoes, zucchini, squash, eggplant, artichokes and peppers that line his garden. And he loves sharing his harvest with his co-workers, friends and neighbors.

Ben Abdallah also enjoys spending time with his wife, Melinda E. Warren, forum director of the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy in Arts & Sciences, and their two children, Miriam, 14, and Leila, 11. In addition to playing soccer, he also coaches his daughters' teams.

With his never-ending dedication to work and family, Ben Abdallah's co-workers constantly tease him about finding time to eat and sleep.

"Arbi's devotion to his job is incredible — he stays until he gets the job done, no matter what time of day or night," Cottler says.

"He has the best work ethic I have ever seen, and we are all fortunate to have the privilege of working with him."