Hospital highlights - Hospital employees earn honors

With David Womack, CEO, acting as Master of Ceremonies, awards for years of service and special honors were handed out to hospital employees at a recent luncheon at Hill-Ray Plaza.

The “Employee of the Year” honor went to Gary Johnson, materials management clerk, and the “Manager of the Year” went to to Heather Reathaford, former the laboratory manager who is the newly promoted infection control coordinator.

Employee of the quarter’ awards went to Jackie Klossner, administrative assistant; Michael Reynolds, laboratory technician; Brenda Wickizer, RN; Jerry Aune, environmental services; Jennifer Rusch, materials management and Debbi Hellinger, RN.

First recipient of a new award, the Shining Star, was Cristi Shindler, RN. She is the hospital’s labor and delivery coordinator who also took on medical computer training activities during the year. This activity is moving the hospital into the world of the electronic medical record.

Awards for 20 years of service went to Debbie Hoadley, performance improvement director and Jim Heilsberg, chief financial officer. Linda Ledgerwood, human resources director received a pin for her 45 years. In anticipation of her upcoming retirement, Linda also received a commemorative plaque.

Those receiving 10-year pins were Elissa Bell, Admissions Clerk; RN’s Dori Martin, Pat Howard and Ronda Warren as well as Respiratory Therapy Manager, Lori Schmidt. Four 15-year pins were awarded, one each to Greg Holbrook and Shellie Ochs, Nursing Assistants and to RN’s, Sandy McBride and Eileen Zeller.

Recognized for five years of service were RN’s, Trudy Paddock, Jana Ragle, Debbi Hellinger, Chris Ricketts and Sonja Clark. Five-year pins also went to Jean Taylor, unit coordinator; Carol Larson, environmental services supervisor; Dave Field, respiratory therapist; Fran Martin, water aerobics instructor and Annmarie Schwartz and Rebecca Tee, transcriptionists.

Special guests at the luncheon included Dorcy Chenard, RN, who recently retired with 22 years of service to Whitman Hospital and over 40 years in the nursing profession.

Although unable to attend, recent retiree Martha Cash, RN, was also invited to honor her 40-plus years in the nursing profession and her nine years at Whitman.

Environmental services workers Shirley Duckett and Vicki Nichols, who both retired in 2010, were also honored for their years of service.

Steve Moore and Martin Marler from the hospital Board were in attendance to help honor the recipients of both service and special awards.

-Linda Ledgerwood, H.R. Director