HRSA HIGHLIGHTS • January 14, 1997

Sandra Yolles, a HRSA computer specialist who helped bring advances in computer networking to the Office of the Administrator (OA), died Nov.30 from complications of breast cancer. She was 50 years old.

From her position in HRSA's Office of Information Resources Management (OIRM). Ms. Yolles performed many of the day-to-day administrative and technical activities associated with the OA local area network (LAN) and its connection to other agency LANs. Using skills developed over 29 years of federal service, she helped analyze LAN configuration issues, determine software and hardware answers to existing network problems and anticipate future demands. She also programmed reports that kept HRSA's leadership abreast of staffing and personnel matters, and was responsible for registering e-mail addresses for all URSA staff.

In 1995, HRSA Administrator Ciro V. Sumaya, M.D., recognized Ms. YoIles' contributions as part of a four-member team that received the Administrator's Citation for Outstanding Group Performance. The award, given for "outstanding team effort in coordination, development and technical support of the URSA OA LAN, including agency-wide network services, is one of the highest honors we confer," said Dr. Sumaya in announcing the citation.

Coworkers remember Ms. Yolles as "one-of-a-kind" because of her friendly and generous nature. "She was very outgoing," said Jeanne Arlotta, "I don't think she could walk down the hall without seeing 20 people that she would say hello to. She seemed to like every-body and they liked her, too."

Coworkers said they will also remember how bravely she faced her life-threatening disease. "Her courageousness in dealing with her illness was a solace for us all," said colleague Lynn Dennie. "There will never be enough words to express the great loss we feel." Ms. Yolles first joined the federal government in 1967, beginning her career as a clerk-stenographer at the National Institutes of Health. After 11 years, she joined the HUS Office of the Secretary, where she rose to become a computer assistant. In 1984, she joined HRSA and was promoted to the position of computer specialist.

A native Washingtonian, Ms. Yolles graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and attended Transylvania University in Kentucky. In her spare time, she played golf and competed with the Montgomery Village golf team. She traveled frequently, never missing an opportunity to incorporate golf into her itinerary. She also enjoyed cooking. "She didn't wait until she retired to start living life," said one of her coworkers. "She was living it all along."

Ms. Yolles is survived by her companion. Lynda Bindseil of Gaithersburg, and her sister, Charlene Boothe Dale Riikonen of Columbia.