Merit Health Wesley Announces Employee Recognition Awards
1/16/2023
Merit Health Wesley has named Julie Spiers, RN, as the 2022 recipient of the Margaret LaFon Employee of the Year Award. This award is the highest honor bestowed on a hospital employee each year. Spiers was chosen from among more than 1,200 employees for the honor.
“In healthcare, it takes each of our employees showing up every day and putting the needs of their patients before their own needs for our organizations to be successful,” said Chief Executive Officer, Todd Blanchard. “We take opportunities like this one to recognize members of our team who consistently make a difference. Julie Spiers makes Merit Health Wesley both a great place to work and to receive care.”
Spiers has worked for Merit Health Wesley since 2019 and currently serves as a charge nurse in the Behavioral Health Unit.
“Behavioral health is uniquely challenging, yet the love that she shows on a daily basis is a lighthouse to people struggling through some of the most difficult times in their lives,” says department director, Lane Patrick. “As a new director, I recognized the effect that she has on others and quickly moved to enhance her role so that “The Julie Effect” could spread across the team.”
The hospital also named Clinical Manager of the Year, Cindy Lott, RN, and Non-Clinical Manager of the Year, Deron Hall.
Lott serves as the manager for Case Management , where she coordinates discharge planning to ensure patients leave the hospital with everything they need to continue their recovery. She has been with Merit Health Wesley since 1992.
“Cindy is such a dedicated and long-standing member of the Merit Health Wesley team,” says Debbie Johnson, Vice President of Quality and Clinical Transformation. “I can always count on Cindy to advocate for our patients. She is a true leader and role model for how to love and care for others.”
Deron Hall serves as the manager of Bio-Medical Services. He has been with Merit Health Wesley since 2001.
“Deron goes above and beyond to approach each situation with great communication and teamwork,” says Rick Kolaczek, Chief Operating Officer. “The work he does is often behind the scenes, going unnoticed, and we’re glad for the opportunity to recognize what a valuable asset he is to our team.”
“We are proud of our employees, and recognizing leaders like these three is one small way we can say ‘thank you’ for the care that our staff provides each day,” says Blanchard.
Employees are nominated for the award by their hospital peers, administrators and patients based on their commitment to patient care, their professionalism, and their contributions on the job.
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Julie Spiers, RN, Merit Health Wesley Employee of the Year; Cindy Lott, RN, Merit Health Wesley Clinical Manager of the Year; Deron Hall, Non-Clinical Manager of the Year
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