Naisha Mercado and Shawnda Southerland were selected as winners of the November 2025 Temple Faculty Physicians C.A.R.E.S. (Category Exemplified in Action: Compassion, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence, and Service) Award, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of clinical and administrative staff.
Shawnda is a member of the Medical Assistant Float Pool, and Naisha works as a Receptionist/Scheduler in the OB/GYN department. Both were nominated by their peers and endorsed by TFP leadership. Please join us in celebrating their achievements and in recognizing their impact on Temple’s patients and teams.
Shawnda Southerland, Medical Assistant
Shawnda was singled out for her caring nature, commitment to service, and dedication to making everyone feel valued, as this excerpt from her nomination shows:
“Shawnda has been working in Pediatrics for quite a while, and she was recently asked to join us full-time—and we’re forever grateful. Her caring nature is evident in every interaction, whether she’s supporting a colleague or stepping in to help wherever needed.
Shawnda is the kind of team player who makes everyone around her feel better. She listens deeply, offers help without being asked, and always finds ways to lift others up. Her positive attitude and unwavering support create a ripple effect throughout the team, fostering a culture of collaboration and trust.
Her commitment to service goes beyond completing tasks: it’s about making people feel seen, supported, and valued. Shawnda exemplifies the true spirit of this award, and it’s a privilege to recognize the impact she makes every day.”
Naisha Mercado, Receptionist/Scheduler, OBGYN
Naisha earned the TFP C.A.R.E.S. Award for setting an example of collaboration and support, as this excerpt from her nomination shows:
“Naisha consistently goes above and beyond in supporting her team. She collaborates with professionalism and respect, communicates effectively, and readily steps in wherever needed—demonstrating strong teamwork, reliability, and dedication.”