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Honored Hospital Caregiver Warms Hearts
COLUMBUS – Hospital caregivers became the front page story last night as 66 hospital employees, including nurses, radiology technicians, social workers and more, were honored just for being nominated for this year’s Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award, presented by the Ohio Hospital Association (OHA).
Every Ohio hospital was invited to nominate one person for this prestigious award, created in 1996 to honor a hospital employee who demonstrates leadership, reflects the values and ideals of Ohio’s health care facilities, goes above and beyond the call of duty, gives back to the community and has overcome odds to succeed.
OHA presented the award and recognized four finalists during a recognition dinner last night, in conjunction with the association’s annual meeting at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. OHA also honored all 66 nominees, not just the ultimate recipient, for being their hospital’s choice for this distinction.
Though only one person can receive the award, each of the nominees represents the extraordinary employees in their hospitals. As Gov. Bob Taft wrote in declaring June 20 Ohio Hospital Employee Appreciation Day, “I commend all of Ohio’s over 230,000 hospital workers for their dedication to providing excellent health care around the clock. The commitment these employees make to their communities is an inspiration to all of us!”
Health Care Worker of the Year Award RECIPIENT: ê Sharlene Wilson is a rehabilitation aide at the Toledo Hospital. Sharlene gives of herself every day. On numerous occasions, she has used her own money to purchase clothing or shoes for patients and coordinates donations of clothing and furniture to assist patients in need. She volunteers at local shelters for battered women and homeless men and as a religious education teacher for children aged 6-12 at her church.
Health Care Worker of the Year Award FINALISTS: ê Betty Barnes is the shift lead for nutritional services at Berger Health System in Circleville. Betty’s penchant for providing nutrition extends into the community, where she donates countless hours to the local Community Kitchen and organizes meals for over 50 needy community members three times per week. ê Cathy Warner, RN, is a registered nurse on the medical surgical floor at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster. Knowing no bounds, Cathy has utilized her skills as a licensed helicopter pilot to help with such tragedies as Sept. 11 and the recent hurricanes that devastated Florida. ê Loretta McCollum, RN, CDE, is a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator for Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark. Loretta’s commitment to diabetes education earned the hospital recognition from the American Diabetes Association, and even inspired her to lose weight so she could serve as a good role model for patients. ê Carol Powell, RN, BSN, FNE, CEN, EMT-P, is an emergency room and Developing Options for Violent Emergencies (DOVE) nurse at Saint Thomas Medical Center in Akron. In addition to saving the lives of patients here in the Buckeye State, Carol has traveled all the way to Haiti to teach nurses about forensic nursing.
Find the complete
list of all 66 nominees. Digital photographs from the event are available upon request.
Several other OHA awards honoring leaders in Ohio health care were also presented: ê Donald R. Newkirk Award, recognizing L. Jon Schurmeier, president and CEO of Southwest General Health Center in Cleveland. This is OHA’s highest honor named for the association’s long-time former president. It recognizes a significant lifetime contribution to the health care field in Ohio. ê Distinguished Service Award, honoring James R. Chick, president and CEO of Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys. The award celebrates CEOs or senior managers of OHA member organizations for their professional attainments as outstanding manager, leader, mentor, teacher, or service to the community. ê Meritorious Service Award, recognizing Toledo/Lucas County CareNet. The award was accepted by Toledo Mayor Jack Ford, chairman of the Toledo/Lucas County CareNet Board of Directors, and Jan Ruma, executive director of the Toledo/Lucas County CareNet. Focused on health care advocates, this award recognizes friends of hospitals or health systems whose support of the industry reflects the public interest. ê William C. Kelley Safety Leadership Award, honoring Wayne Wheeler, M.D., medical director of external and governmental affairs at Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth. The award recognizes demonstrated leadership in the field of community, occupational, patient or visitor safety. ê John Chapman Award, honoring The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. The award was accepted by Susan Croushore, executive director and senior vice president of Christ Hospital. The award honors an Ohio hospital that has shown excellence in initiating or supporting hospital pollution-prevention programs. ê Consumer Advocacy Award, celebrating Sue Daugherty, executive director of Serving Our Seniors in Sandusky. Established in 1999 by the Ohio Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy, an affiliate of OHA, the award recognizes an outstanding community leader or organization for a significant impact on the quality of care for health care consumers. ê Hospital Safety Awards, recognizing successful hospital safety programs and superior employee safety records of 28 Ohio hospitals. A complete list of recognized hospitals is available online at www.ohanet.org/annualmeeting/Awards/recipients/safety_awards.htm.
The Ohio Hospital Association was established in 1915 and currently represents 170 hospitals and 40 health systems throughout Ohio. OHA is a membership-driven organization that provides proactive leadership to create an environment in which Ohio hospitals are successful in serving their communities. Visit OHA’s Web site at www.ohanet.org. For information on top health care issues, visit the online OHA News Media Center at www.ohanet.org/media/.
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