M. D. Anderson’s Markettea Beneke Wins Prestigious Rogers Award

Markettea Beneke, primary administrator and chief business officer for the Department of Neuro-Oncology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, is the recipient of the Julie and Ben Rogers Award for Excellence in administration for 2007.

The $10,000 award, which rotates annually among areas of patient care, research, education, prevention and administration, recognizes employees who consistently demonstrate excellence in their work and dedication to M. D. Anderson’s mission to eliminate cancer.

As neuro-oncology administrator, Beneke directs daily operations, prepares and oversees budgets and manages clinical and basic research programs throughout the department. She also is ad interim administrator for the Department of Sarcoma Medical Oncology, adviser to the Department of Gynecologic Medical Oncology and former ad interim administrator of M. D. Anderson’s gastrointestinal and melanoma medical oncology departments - all part of the Division of Cancer Medicine, the largest of the institution’s 10 divisions.

Beneke’s organizational and people skills extend far beyond her desk. In her 10 years at M. D. Anderson, she has initiated a number of employee enrichment efforts that include:

establishing a formal career path for clinical nurse supervisors
developing the Getting to Know Us Program, an extended orientation for junior faculty
piloting a mentoring program for employees
starting a monthly lunchtime Journal Club
In addition, Beneke has served as co-chair of the Minority Faculty and Administrators Committee and finds time to volunteer in the community as an Anderson Ambassador and through her church.

“What we do for others is important,” says Beneke. “I like being behind the scenes pushing people to the forefront. I love to ’do.’ I don’t know any other way.”

In 2005, Beneke received the division’s Citation for Excellence in Administration. She has a master’s degree in health care and hospital administration and a bachelor’s degree in business management and economics from Trinity University in San Antonio. Before coming to M. D. Anderson in 1998, Beneke was vice president of Avanti Medical Practice Management in Houston and held numerous positions at Avanti Health Systems, a New York Life/NYLCare affiliate, including national director of human resources.

Regina Rogers, a senior member of M. D. Anderson’s Board of Visitors, established the Rogers Award in 1987 in honor of her parents, Julie and Ben Rogers, and in appreciation of the care her brother and her mother received at the institution. Ben Rogers served on the Board of Visitors from 1978 until his death in 1994, when his daughter and wife established the Julie & Ben Rogers Breast Diagnostic Clinic in his memory. Julie Rogers died in 1998.

“I think of M. D. Anderson as an extension of my family,” says Rogers. “The employees are truly dedicated to the institution’s mission, and they continue to inspire me by their excellence and integrity. I am pleased to honor them, and the memory of my parents, through this award.”

Beneke will formally receive the award at a 2 p.m. presentation ceremony Oct. 2 at the Cancer Prevention Building, 1155 Pressler St., eighth floor, Rooms 1, 2, 7 and 8. 09/24/07