Employees Receive Recognition Awards

Colusa Regional Medical Center, Caring for Our Community

EMPLOYEES RECEIVE RECOGNITION AWARDS

Submitted by Charla Parker, Director of Community Relations and Planning

Twenty-three employees were recognized for their years of service and extra ordinary efforts during a luncheon held on Thursday, September 7, 2006 on the patio and lawn outside the hospital cafeteria. The beautiful fall weather presented the perfect setting and opportunity for Dale Kirby, Chief Executive Officer to express his appreciation on behalf of senior management and the CRMC Board of Directors for the dedicated hours of service provided to patients and the community by the loyal, caring staff. He thanked everyone for their commitment to the hospital and its patients, saying “A hospital is just walls without the special, caring people who come to work everyday to help others.” Brady Myers, President of the Board, took time out from his busy schedule to attend the important recognition event and confirm the Board’s appreciation.

The Employee of the Year award went to Christine Locvich, Administrative Assistant for Laboratory Services. Even though she has only been in her position for 2 ½ years, Christine has made a tremendous impression upon patients, coworkers and supervisors. She is known for her friendly, outgoing personality and keeping everyone organized. The department has grown from providing 60 tests a week to over 100 a day. She is given credit for helping everyone keep pace with the increased demand for services. When not at work, Christine likes to relax by spending time with her 6-year old daughter. They enjoy camping and boating on Lake Berryessa. Christine said, “I really appreciate the recognition, but I do what I do because I love my job. We take pride in our department’s work.”

Dierdre Athenais, Director of Human Resources was recognized as Manager of the Year. Dierdre started at CRMC as administrative assistant to the Chief Executive Officer in January of 1998. She moved into the HR position on November 2000 and has been an active part of the senior management team that has led the community hospital’s dramatic turnaround from bankruptcy exactly 5 year’s ago. She is responsible for staff recruitment and retention and seems to have an instinct for hiring caring people. She likes spending time with her granddaughters and visiting new countries with her sister; Italy being one of the latest adventures. She reports, “I like to feel like I make a difference. Here at CRMC, it is small enough that I get to know all the employees; therefore, I feel like I can do a better job of helping them than I could in a large hospital.”

The top four seniority awards went to: Toni Garcia, 45 years; Irene Parnell, 40 years; Marie Hamilton, 35 years; and Cathy Bruffett, 30 years. Toni is the senior staff member in Environmental Services. She comes to work every day at 4:45 A.M. and distributes clean linen to all the nursing units. Making her rounds she gets to know all the staff in the hospital. She spends the rest of the day in the surgery department keeping all the sterile supplies readily available for the surgeons and nurses there. Marie came to California from Nebraska with her family in 1956 and at one time she and her five sisters all worked as either housekeepers or nurses’ aids in the hospital. After work, she likes to hunt and fish with her husband and watch the Denver Broncos and LA Lakers play. They spend the rest of their time taking care of their 2 ½ acre home site in Colusa. When asked when she is going to retire, she responded, “Oh, I don’t know. Why should I? I like my job and I know it is really important because I make sure everything is clean and sterile for the patients’ care.”

Irene is the Manager of the Operating Room. She first started working at the old hospital as an LVN in the geriatrics ward. She transferred to OR and received training as an OR Technician. She returned to Yuba College to obtain her registered nursing credential (RN) and was promoted to become the OR Manager in 1986. She gives Dr. David Palmer credit for encouraging her to pursue a nursing career when she was a single mother with six children. She says “I love taking care of patients. It has been a wonderful 40-year career. I have really enjoyed it”. Irene enjoys traveling and camping near Ft. Bragg when she isn’t taking care of patients.

Marie Hamilton is a clinical lab specialist in the laboratory. She reports knowing what she wanted to do in high school. She originally trained in a large facility with all the “whistles and bells” but likes working in the smaller, close-knit community environment. So, 35 years later, she is still at CRMC. She lives in Arbuckle with her husband, Tom Hamilton, retired Superintendent of Grimes High School. They are the proud owners of the number two champion greyhound in the USA and enjoy traveling with their granddaughter to compete in championship dog shows. When asked why she continues to work at CRMC after 40 years, she reports, “I enjoy coming to work. The laboratory department is a really nice place to work and they make me feel like I make a difference.”

Cathy Bruffett is a LVN and respiratory therapist in the Cardiopulmonary Department. She works the night shift so coworker, Ed Wright, spoke up in her behalf. Cathy started at the hospital in 1976 and over a 10-year period, she worked in most every department except pharmacy. In 1986 she became an LVN and found her niche in respiratory therapy. Twenty years later, she is still there. Ed gives her credit for recently saving a friend’s life who had coded in the emergency room. According to Ed, Cathy is a great co-worker, very dedicated and thorough. When not at work she likes to attend Civil War reenactments.

The other employees that were recognized for their continuous, dedicated years of service include: 20 years – Joan Chatell, RN, Emergency Room Manager; Christine Gregory, RN, Intensive Care Unit Manager; Shakila Narayan, Business Office Manager and Sue Vraitch, RN. Those with 10 years of service included – Kate Cook, RN; Theeta Corona, Medical Assistant; Charlotte Fowler, RN and Doreen Kumar, CNA. Those recognized with 5 years of service included – Samantha Andrade, Admitting; Megan Carey, Business Office; Paula Clingan, RN; Becky Jimenez, Home Health; Daniel McClough, Physician Assistant at Williams Urgent Care and Clinic; Alberta Quist, Ward Clerk; Cynthia Sheen, RN; Doug Stoddard, RN, Home Health Director; and Mary Jane Tait, RN, Staff Development.

The employee and manager of the year were presented with a certificate of appreciation, thank you letters from the CEO, Chief of Staff and Board of Directors, a financial reward from the hospital and Medical Staff and a gift certificate for dinner. The other recognized employees received a pin indicating their years of service. The buffet lunch featuring broiled chicken and roast beef entrees was provided by the dietary department headed by Wanda Swift. The annual event was coordinated by the Human Resources staff: Dierdre Athenais and Linda Townsend. As a brand new staff member, I left the event feeling like this is a very warm, friendly place where people appreciate and help each other. This feeling was confirmed in my follow up interviews with the awardees.