CVMC Holds Annual Employee Recognition Ceremony (The Daily Home)

2013 Employee Award Winners

SYLACAUGA – David Wilkinson was named Coosa Valley Medical Center’s employee of the year at the hospital’s annual employee recognition ceremony last week.

Wilkinson, an operating room charge nurse, was nominated for his work ethic and positive attitude in the work place. Karen Barner, director of surgical services at CVMC, nominated Wilkinson for exactly those reasons.

“David has an attitude of, ‘What can I do to help? I’ll be glad to do it, just let me know what it is that you need,’” Barner’s nomination read. “David always has a smile on his face, and he has ever complained once about what he has been asked to do.”

Representatives from nurses, surgeons, administration and support services, among other areas, were also in attendance at the event, one of the few times the hospital is able to formally recognize the efforts of all the people who keep the hospital running.

Christy Knowles, chief human resources officer, said she was pleased to be able to honor the dedication from the employees at CVMC.

“I don’t think we could ever recognize employees enough,” Knowles said. “I think we do as good or a better job than anybody else does, but again, we could never tell these people every day how much they do.”

Knowles said the hospital worked several weeks in advance to put on the awards ceremony and lunch. Still, she said, it was worth it to show the hospital’s appreciation for their employees’ hard work.

The hospital presented awards for employees with perfect attendance on the year, as well as employees with longer stints at the hospital, ranging from five to 45 years. The hospital also gave out awards for employee excellence in ancillary services (Brooklyn Ross), excellence in support services (Diane Mason), excellence in nursing, (Meg Motes), excellence in guest services (Sharon Evans) and excellence in leadership (Kathy Russell).

Glenn Sisk, Coosa Valley’s CEO, was also in attendance, making presentations along with other members of the hospital administration.

Like Knowles, Sisk said he was pleased to be able to support the employees who support so many others in the community.

“There is one constant in health care that never changes,” Sisk said during the ceremony. “And it’s not the new bricks and mortar. It’s not the new computers, it’s not meaningful use, it’s not new technology and the way we deliver care. All those things are important, but the one constant is the people who make up this organization.”