Hospital Week Honors

Employees’ Caring Hearts

During Hospital Week, Rome Memorial Hospital reflected upon the accomplishments of the last year and honored its employees for making those accomplishments possible.

The theme of this year’s hospital week is "Where Miracles Happen Every Day."

"You are the ones that make the miracles happen," Chief Operating Officer Darlene Burns told employees during the May 10^th awards ceremony at Dibble’s Inn, Vernon. "Because of your commitment and spirit of giving, we exceed our patients’ expectations time and time again. Rome Memorial Hospital has an outstanding staff and you deserve recognition and our appreciation."

More than 470 employees cast their vote for the annual Hospital Week awards. The winners are: 

• Shirley Smith, RN, Ambulatory Surgery, Clinical Employee of the Year.

• Christine Boxall, Personnel, Non-Clinical Employee of the Year.

• Shirley Cummings, RN, Perioperative Services, Supervisor of the Year. 

Smith has been employed at the hospital for more than 20 years and is known for her positive attitude and her enthusiasm. She understands her patients’ needs and has the skills to calm their fears.

"I just want to be with patients, and that’s what keeps me at the bedside. When I walk into patients’ rooms, they make me feel good. Somehow I know I make a difference," Smith said. "When patients are in the hospital, they’re anxious and I have to find some way put them at ease. Sometimes it takes just a smile, sometimes a whole lot more."

Boxall has been employed at the hospital for 22 years—15 in the Personnel Department. She is a valuable employee advocate, helping people with their benefit needs. Whether they approach her at work or at the grocery store, she graciously answers their questions.

"It’s a good feeling to receive this honor because it shows that the employees appreciate what you do," Boxall said. "I take a lot of pride in my work and I work for the employees."

Cummings has given three decades of dedication to the hospital and her patients. She is professional, compassionate and respects others. After 30 years, she still loves her work because it’s more than just a job.

"My theory has always been that whatever you do, you don’t do it just for your paycheck. You love what you do," Cummings said. "That thank you from your patients and your peers for doing a good job is what makes you want to come back tomorrow and start again."

During the awards ceremony, the hospital also thanked the 124 employees who received recognition cards in 2001 for their courtesy, positive attitude, respect and enthusiasm.

Years of Service Pins were presented to 102 hospital employees during Hospital Week. The recipients have more than 1,409 combined years of service among them:

5 Years: Jill Atwood, RN, 2 East; Doreen Kiedrowski, LPN, Residential Health Care Facility; Deanna Lyness, PCT, 2 North; Vernie Pritchard, LPN, Emergency Department; Victoria Thomasson, 2 North; Richard Dixon, Plant Management; Patricia Box, Physical Therapy; Nancy Leonard, Food & Nutrition; Kristin Yearby, Business Office; Nancy Harvey, Transcription; Deborah Lysejko, Central Supply; Ramona Brown, RN, 2 East; Pietra Narolis, Laboratory; Sandra Schiffer, Laboratory; Dale Schultz, Laboratory; Thomas Wick, Physical Therapy; Donna Goodman, Building Services; Aaron Thompson, Food & Nutrition; Cheryl Cavanaugh, Patient Registration; Margaret Scheiderich, Social Services; Angeline Pasqualetti, Business Office; Diane Hurlbut, RN, 2 North; Tracy Archer, 2 East; Josephine Nelson, Building Services; Kevin Miller, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Brenda Post, RN, 2 East; Dale Wertz, Transcription; Don Wertz, Radiology; Carey McGough, Radiology; Laurie Svalland, Central Supply; Tara Cheal, Endoscopy; Tami Pohorenec, RN, ICU; Sharon Bassett, Building Services; Tina Pisaneschi, RN, 2 North; Betty Taverna, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Michele Pacicca, Pharmacy; Kathleen Lee, Pharmacy.

10 Years: Tricia MacHattie, Medical Imaging; Sharon McNamara, Building Services; Lawrence Ehlenfeldt, Food & Nutrition; Deborah Moore, Administration; Thomas Marquette, Plant Management; Lawrence Giardino, Materials Management; Tracy Yerdon, RN, ICU; Julie King, LPN, Emergency Department; Lucy Rizzo, Finance; Anthony Mcconkey, RN, ICU; Jean Magliocca, Medical Records; Cora Anna, LPN, Emergency Department; Cynthia Dean, Community Recovery Center; Deneen Aldrich, Printing; Debra Puffer, Community Recovery Center; Katrina Wolfe, 2 North; Dianne Kozlowski, RN, 2 East.

15 Years: Deborah Dombrowski, Central Supply; Mary Deutschman, Medical Records; Christopher Shope, Finance; Valerie Seymore, Business Office; Renee Taraska, RN, 2 East; Michele Snow, RN, 2 East; Denise Hurd, RN, Ambulatory Surgery; Sandra Stannard, 2 North; Donna Willson, Quality Management; Leanna Grace, Employee Health/Infection Control; Christine Hurley, RN, Operating Room; Linda Jack, RN, Maternity; Mary Boucher, RN, Nursing Office; Merritt Boucher, RN, Operating Room; Carlisle Konik, Physical Therapy; Shelly Laribee, Laboratory.

20 Years: Sandra Maloney, Laboratory; Cindy Wiggins, Emergency Department; David Jennings, Plant Management; Geraldine Miller, Food & Nutrition; James Traub, Building Services; Christine Mccorduck, Laboratory; Sandra Coppage, Food & Nutrition; Mark Snyderman, Outpatient Services; Patricia Murphy, Business Office; Petrin Gillander, RN, Maternity; Lorraine Baldwin, Cardiopulmonary Services; Elizabeth Donnelly, RN, Maternity; Debborah Malakie, Ambulatory Surgery; Denise Moshaty, Laboratory; Otilla Fey, RN, Emergency Department.

25 Years: Dorinda Clark, Nursing Administration; Edward Koziarz, Plant Management; Thea Joseph, 2 North; Marcia Plunkett, Residential Health Care Facility; Ellen Thompson, 2 East; Bridget Delutis, Medical Imaging; Elizabeth Nadeau, Food & Nutrition; Cynthia Crandall, Information Technology; Mary Rose Spellicy, RN, Education; Henry Koziarz, Plant Management.

30 Years: George Roe, Plant Management; Kathleen Egitto, Laboratory; Shirley Cummings, RN, Ambulatory Surgery; Joan Whipple, RN, 2 East; Susan Loadwick, RN, 2 East.