The Employee of the Month Award recognizes the people you love to work with. These winners show exceptional performance as defined by the network’s Standards of Behavior, live out the network’s values, and demonstrate the healing presence practices outlined in Called to Care.
You can read the nomination stories and see the photos of the April Employees of the Month below. Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Natalie Peffers – Supply Chain Management, Prestige
“Natalie is a proficient and skilled worker in our department who has the knowledge to train, and she is never afraid to provide that knowledge to others. She is innovative and a diligent trainer, which are skills that can’t be taught. Natalie is a great asset as a worker but she dedicates much of her personal time to our departments morale in heading up our bake sale programs, which allow us to help a family in need during the holidays. She also made cupcakes for every birthday in our department, for every employee, which is over 1,500 cupcakes in that time!”
Valerie Arnold – Revenue Management, ASB
“Valerie is a team lead that is very engaged and wants to ensure the success of the network. She recently resolved an account issue that we kept getting the run around on resolution. She ensured that constant communication occurred with the patient and her supervisor. Her efforts resulted in the account being properly paid so that the patient would have a positive experience. Valerie is always willing to help wherever needed and is someone that has a strong work ethic, who lives and breathes the Kettering name.”
Jamie Dawson – ICU, FHH
“Jamie’s level of passion for her career and patients is a quality that gives her the ability to share her experienced nursing skills with fellow nurses, as well as the compassion that our patients and their families so desperately need. Jamie was in the middle of helping another nurse with a serious situation when one of Jamie’s patients decided that he would like to wake up and have a full shave by their nurse. She never gave them a clue about her other situation she was working with, as she did not want to make them feel that they were any less important. At that moment I realized how much of a difference that Jamie makes not only in her patient’s lives, but in everyone’s life that she touches.”
Heather Takacs – Mammography Tech, KMC
“Heather comes to work each day with a positive attitude that her patients pick up on. She strives to assure that her patients understand the benefit of 3D Mammography, especially since KBEC transitioned from 2D to 3D mammography. Heather utilizes this understanding with her patients; giving the patient the opportunity to take an active part of their mammogram. Heather makes every effort to provide her patients with the best care and delivers the care with respect and kindness.”
Deborah Mitchell – Ortho Technician, KPN
“Recently we added another Ortho Surgeon who has been out sick, so in addition to taking care of another doctor’s patients, Deb has had to learn a whole new surgeon’s schedule, technique, and way of doing things. She has been the only CMA- Ortho tech taking care of all our patients in the clinic, all while keeping up with her surgery scheduling, ordering, and many other duties. Her skills are extraordinary and we are so blessed to have her. She shows the spirit of Kettering Health Network with the call to care for our patients.”
Janet Pettit – Post Anesthesia Care Unit, SMC
“Janet always organizes staff activities for holidays like carry ins, gift exchanges, and peri anesthesia week to just name a few. These activities help morale, us getting to know each other better, and are just plain fun. While she is not technically direct patient care, she still lends a hand to admit patients, start IV’s, and any other duty a direct patient care nurse does. She always puts the patients first and the staff ahead of herself. Janet is a selfless, compassionate, and caring nurse.”
Charles Randall – Transporter, Soin
“Charlie always has a smile on his face and always has a positive demeanor. He is respectful and compassionate to co-workers, patients, and patients’ families in any situation. On Valentine’s Day this year, Charlie was handing out Valentine’s Day cards to co-workers and patients. Charlie brought a smile to not only the patient, but their families, who were grateful for the smile he was able to bring to their family members face.”
Dennis Rifner – Environmental Services, KBMC
“Dennis is the most warm-hearted co-worker, who is always showing up to work with a positive attitude no matter where he is assigned. I have seen Dennis keep his calm even when working on the BICU, which is a high stress unit and we appreciate him coming quickly when needed. He always holds himself accountable, honors patient’s privacy, is seen collaborating with his co-workers, is friendly and sympathetic, and values and respects everyone. I find it is especially important to thank a valued Environmental Service worker like him at this time, as he does an excellent job of keeping the units clean.”
Jeannie Hollingsworth – Caregiver, Senior Division
“Jeannie improves the quality of life for residents in the Sycamore/Kettering community. She is attentive to her residents, dedicated in her service, and exceedingly trustworthy. She has served as a caregiver for over 20 years in this building, and 15 for Kettering. Jeannie is a true optimist, and her positive attitude helps her accomplish whatever task is assigned. Moreover, she is an excellent team leader, making sure her work is done on time and assisting other co-workers with theirs. She is the first person to answer a call for help, and with the smiling face willing to do it.”
Nicole Gunn – Rehab Medicine, GV
Nicole had a patient in the hospital who was on a feeding tube for many years, and was in the hospital at least once a month. She advocated for someone to write an order so they could get the help they needed. Finally, she was able to get an order for speech therapy and lymphedema therapy. She was very collaborative and told us what she needed from us in our treatment of this client. During the holiday, they were finally able to eat some of their favorite foods for pleasure. Without her perseverance this patient would not have gotten the treatment they needed.”
Aaron Kingsolver – Environmental Services, GMH
“No matter who he greets in the hall or elevator Aaron always has a smile on his face. He never complains and is always willing to go out of his way to help everyone. Aaron heard about someone who was having hard times and he offered to help this person and pay for their groceries. He did not even know what the situation was, but he just genuinely cares and wanted to help. My husband and I were both humbled by his generous and caring heart.”
Do you know someone who is a Network Star? Help us honor them by telling their story in the Network Stars form, located in the MyHR portal.