Brent Davidson, RRT. Honored for saving the life of a co-worker who was choking.

Cheryl Rivera, interpretive services coordinator. She (anonymously) donated items to families in need, such as diapers and handmade hats and blankets for the new babies.

Albert Hawco, environmental services. He went above and beyond for patients on 6E when he was waxing the floors. He answered call lights and took patients what they needed, putting their needs first, along with the safety of the nurses and other staff.

Martha Blackmon, PCA/unit secretary on 5East. She received multiple nominations. One includes her interaction with a Spanish speaking patient who had been on the floor a while. This patient did not have visitors and was not progressing. Martha made sure to visit with him regularly, sit with him and let him talk, encouraging him in his progress and helped him walk the halls. She noticed he wasn’t eating, so she, without being asked, took it upon herself to go home after work in the evenings and cook for him. He started to eat more and more. It is believed her role in his care played an important part of the patient’s recovery.

Rebecca Perron, emergency department technician, is the recipient of the September 2022 Sunshine Award. The nomination states: “My brother was recently a patient in the emergency room. He is non-verbal and has dementia. His dementia is getting much worse. During this ED visit my brother was alone in the room until we could get there and he was up against the bed rail crying. He was very anxious and scared and was not being very cooperative with the nursing staff. That is when this staff member came into the room and approached us. She stated that she had a family member with special needs and asked permission to help. She began talking with my brother and even though he is non-verbal she continued to talk with him and connect with him. She treated him like a person. She talked to us about his favorite song and could we all sing it to him. We all began to sing and she talked to him in such a soft and caring tone. She showed so much empathy. He stopped crying, began to relax and started nodding at questions she was asking. He relaxed his arms and they were able to take his vitals and draw his labs. She didn’t have to come in and try to help him but she could see how scared he was and she wanted to make it better for him. If everyone could be as kind and understanding as she was, it would be such a better world. She showed us there are people who still care in this world. She made sure my brother was taken care of and that he had what he needed. I think she should be in charge of giving all the staff training on how to treat patients like my brother. This was a traumatic experience for him until she came in and helped. I want her to know how much our family really appreciate her and what a difference she made!”

Miranda Ragland, patient representative at Urgent Care, received multiple nominations. Here are a few excerpts from those nominations: This employee radiates care and compassion to everyone she encounters. She inspires us all with her happiness and compassion. She always makes everyone’s bad day better just by how she treats everyone. She actually makes the rest of us want to do better. She goes way above and beyond for everyone one of her patients, never giving up until everything is taken care of. For example, due to a couple of providers retiring, we have seen several patients who are out of medicine until they can be seen by a new provider which unfortunately is taking some time. We had a gentleman come in about his elderly mother who is 95 years old and is on anti-seizure medication that will soon run out. But due to the patient’s age and other health issues, it would be extremely hard to get this patient out for multiple appointments. She never gave up on this patient and made multiple calls to assure this patient was taken care of. She managed to not only get the patient in to see her new PCP much earlier than they were originally told but also made sure the patient had the medicine she needed until her appointment. On another occasion, she spent extra time helping a patient find a procedure date from another facility and made sure to call him with the correct info. to make sure he didn’t miss it. She also makes sure patients are seen regardless of ability to pay even if it means paying from her own pocket. These are only some of the many above and beyond things she does for the patients at Urgent Care. “It’s the way we care” is not just a slogan, but a way of life for her.

Levi Garrett, medical laboratory technologist, is the November 2022 Sunshine Award winner. He received nominations from staff as well as a provider.

This employee is always willing to help others. He always considers the patients first and then his co-workers second. He is a true team player. He is willing to help where help is needed even if it is outside his normal responsibilities. He is compassionate about his job and the role he plays as a medical laboratory scientist. He has a great mind and an exceptional desire to help others. His drive and commitment to our patients is an inspiration. Even though lab never sees a patient’s face, he still plays a vital role in diagnosis and discoveries that ultimately can save a patient’s life. Here is an example:

He was reviewing lab reports and discovered a patient with acute leukemia. He then immediately called me (the provider) allowing me to diagnose the patient in blast crisis and needed immediate medical attention. This was a great catch! His knowledge and dedication to his job and the important role lab plays helped to save this patient’s life.

Therapist Rey Cabarlo is the recipient of the December 2022 Sunshine Award.

He received multiple nominations, with the majority of those nominations saying he is a ray of sunshine. He always greets not only his patients but his coworkers with a smile and friendly hello. He’s truly a team player, willing to lend a hand when needed. The way he interacts with his patients is so inspiring. One way he shows inspiration is through paintings. Back when COVID was hitting hard, he captured a poignant moment of a husband and wife who were in ICU and died soon after. He is so pleased and seems honestly excited about each new painting and gets pure joy out of sharing the progress of each painting.

Liam Hatfield, 4E PCA/unit secretary, is the recipient of the January 2023 Sunshine Award.

He received numerous nominations, saying he never hesitates to assist his co-workers and works hard to cheer everyone up. He goes above and beyond what his normal responsibilities are and is very compassionate to his patients. One noteworthy contribution to his dedication and passion to patients occurred recently when an individual who was being discharged who was sure his shoes had been lost. Liam took it upon himself to go to his car and get a pair of his own shoes and gifted them to the patient, who was very appreciative. He gives 100 percent every day and keeps a happy demeanor which makes all of his co-workers very happy to be at work at the same time he is. Congratulations, Liam!