Merit Health Wesley Announces Employee Recognition Awards
1/29/2024
Merit Health Wesley has named Melissa Lief, R.N., as the 2023 recipient of the Margaret LaFon Employee of the Year Award. This award is the highest honor bestowed on a hospital employee each year. Lief was chosen from among more than 1,200 employees for the honor.
“Our employees are the reason we are able to serve the community each day,” says Chief Operating Officer Rick Kolaczek. “Taking this moment each year to honor them and recognize a few of those who have made positive impacts within our culture is a small way we can give back to them and show our appreciation.”
Lief has worked for Merit Health Wesley since June of 2022, serving the patients of the hospital’s step down unit.
“Melissa is a young nurse, but she hasn’t let that stop her from making a lasting difference this past year,” says Chief Nursing Officer Brenda Carroll, MSN. “She is always the first to help, the first to take on responsibilities, and her positivity and willingness brings an energy to our team that we were happy to recognize this year.”
The hospital also named Clinical Director of the Year, Lane Patrick, R.N., and Non-Clinical Director of the Year, Tammy Smith, HC-MBA.
Patrick serves as the director for the behavioral health unit, where he coordinates care for elderly patients experiencing challenges in their mental health and cognition. He has been with Merit Health Wesley since May of 2020.
“Since joining our team, Lane has consistently led with structure and dependability,” says Kolaczek. “We appreciate Lane because he not only has the experience to best handle the daily challenges that are seen in the behavioral health unit, but he provides the leadership necessary to see the work completed. We know that we can always count on Lane, and his staff feels the same way.”
Smith serves as the director of information technology. She has been with Merit Health Wesley since February of 2022.
“Improving processes is not just a strength of Tammy’s, it’s a passion,” says Kolaczek. “Since she first arrived, she has been making things within her department and our organization operate more efficiently. Couple that with her heart for people, and she is a natural leader. We really can’t say enough how lucky we are to have her.”
“Loving God, Serving Others, and Excelling in Healthcare is our hospital motto, and our staff is what makes that a reality in our halls,” says Kolaczek. “Having exceptional team members like Melissa, Lane and Tammy is what ensures that our patients experience the love and service they deserve. Each of our employees deserve an award for the work that they do, but it is an honor to recognize these today.”
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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