27 February 2025

Ashleigh Richardson Wins Geneva’s Q4 Wave the Flag Award for Excellence

The Geneva Foundation is proud to recognize Ashleigh Richardson, an Animal Technician at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, as the recipient of the Q4 2024 Wave the Flag Award! This prestigious award honors employees who go above and beyond while demonstrating Geneva’s core values and advancing military medicine.

Ashleigh was nominated for exemplifying Quality, Innovation, Teamwork, and Respect for All. Her dedication to excellence, leadership in animal research, and contributions to improving research processes make her a standout employee.

According to her manager, Isabella Malcolm, “Ashleigh leads by example, growing in the field of animal research, training newer lab individuals, and creating innovative solutions for current operations.” Her willingness to take on new responsibilities, seek professional development opportunities, and continuously expand her skill set sets a remarkable standard for her peers.

Ashleigh’s impact is particularly evident in her work with rabbit enrichment activities. She developed a program to evaluate how rabbits interact with enrichment items such as toys, interactive objects, and treats, enhancing both animal welfare and research quality. She also created an online database to track weekly animal research activities, improving efficiency and organization.

Her on-site supervisor highlighted that, “Ashleigh exceeds her job description by creating efficient operational changes and prioritizing enrichment activities for the animals.” These activities not only benefit the animals’ well-being but also enhance the overall research process, earning recognition from researchers and staff alike.

Ashleigh’s passion, innovation, and dedication make her a deserving recipient of the Wave the Flag Award.

Congratulations, Ashleigh, and a special acknowledgment to Steven Malvasi, Program Manager, KACH, and all the Q4 nominees for their outstanding contributions!