THE TEAM AWARD was presented to the Authorization Team AN&EL. Pictured are: Dawn Falloon, medical records manager; Mike Whitaker, outpatient diagnostics services manager; Rachel Thomure, physical rehab insurance coordinator; Travis Little, radiology manager; Teresa Reeves, patient accounts manager; Laura Lewis, operating room manager; Gayle Peebles, MIS manager; Roxie Rikard, patient access manager; and Lisa Lochner, assistant administrator.

KAREN ROHRER, social services manager, recognized for 30 years of service. Pictured is Rohrer with Tony Schwarm.

THE LEADERSHIP AWARD was presented to Laura Lewis, operating room manager. Pictured is Lewis with Carmen Bartolotta, chief nursing executive.

LINDA SMITH, housekeeper, recognized for 25 years of service. Pictured is Linda Smith with Tony Schwarm.

NANCY DANZ, laboratory medical technologist, recognized for 35 years of service. Pictured are: Dara Danz, Nancy Danz and Tony Schwarm.

HE CARING SPIRIT AWARD was presented to Debbie Brinson, New Hope Center LPN. Pictured are: Tony Schwarm, president; Debbie Brinson, New Hope Center LPN; and Carmen Bartolotta, chief nursing executiv

THE PATIENT CHOICE AWARD was presented to Alison Tourville, patient access representative. Shown are: Roxie Rikard, patient access manager; Lisa Lochner, assistant administrator; Melvin King, board member and chairman of Patient Care Committee; Alison Tourville, patient access representative; and Tony Schwarm, president.

Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital hosted its annual Employee Service Awards Banquet at the Wedding Bells Banquet Hall in Stanton on Saturday Night, Jan. 16.  There was a capacity turnout of over 250 employees, managers, board members and guests.
It was a “Red Carpet” event where the employees were “treated like the stars they are” as the invitation stated.  The hall was decorated for the occasion with flashing lights, sparkling table decorations embellished with movie film and glittering stars.
Guests were caught by Micky “Mary Hart” Sanders for an impromptu interview and movie star photo shoot, then welcomed by Tony and Mary Schwarm, hospital president and his wife.  Those attending were then treated with a delicious buffet meal prepared by Catering, Etc.
The festivities continued with a video program reviewing the significant activities at the hospital over the past year with special mention of the awardees and retirees. Employees were called to the front to be recognized for their years of service and awarded with their service pins.
Special recognition was given to employees with the most years of continuous service. Those included: Nancy Danz, laboratory medical technologist, for 35 years of service; Karen Rohrer, social services manager, for 30 years of service; and Linda Smith, housekeeper, for 25 years of service.
Other special awards presented during the evening program included the Caring Spirit Award, Leadership Award, Team Award and Patient Choice Award.
The Caring Spirit Award was presented to Debbie Brinson, New Hope Center LPN. She was nominated for “serving as a mentor to RNs, techs and students. She fluffs pillows, provides personal care and sits to comfort during the loss of a loved one; truly displaying a Caring Spirit.”
The Leadership Award was presented to Laura Lewis, operating room manager.  She was nominated for “being willing to listen, allowing her department to try new ideas to increase patient satisfaction scores.”  According to her staff, “her most valuable assets are her honesty, trust and integrity.  She continues to lead by example through her patience in teaching and constant support which makes her a great manager.”
The Team Award was presented to the Authorization Team AN&EL. This team was able to reach out to multiple providers and decrease lost (no authorization) gross revenue from $110,000 to a recent low of $7,000.
The final award presented was the Patient Choice Award. This was a new award this year and was based on nominations received directly from patients using the services of the hospital.  Alison Tourville, patient access representative, was the recipient of this award. The patient nominating Tourville wrote that she “went the extra mile and that never had anyone gone out of their way to make her feel comfortable in a waiting area like she did.”
The evening ended with the employees participating in dancing and karaoke. A pleasant evening of fun and recognition was enjoyed by all who attended. Kathleen Reed, HR manager, and the Employee Activities team, once again, did a spectacular job in orchestrating the event.