HCSEC 2024

When Tanny was asked why becoming a hospital of choice was important to her during the “Igniting the Patient Experience” with Brian Lee, she stated, “It’s part of my community and has been my workplace for many years. We can always do better.” As a Service Excellence Advisor, Tanny has demonstrated her commitment to providing excellent care to our patients and creating a culture that improves employee morale.

Tanny diligently reviewed and studied the Service Excellence Workbook for the Service Excellence Workshops and has implemented these tools within her department and across the organization. She empowers caregivers to express and share their thoughts and ideas with leadership. She recognizes caregivers for their work, either by verbal acknowledgment or by sending a card to show her appreciation.

Tanny strives to promote the Service Excellence Initiative by volunteering for additional activities related to the initiative. She is involved in all aspects of the Service Excellence Initiative, actively sharing ideas with her team and leadership while continuing to improve communication between nursing and patient access.

Whenever there is a new idea or project, caregivers turn to Tanny, knowing she will take it on, go beyond expectations, and make it the best it can be. When scheduling sensitive appointments, she acts as a liaison between the patient and provider to ensure patient satisfaction and understanding.

I am writing to nominate Russell Minahan for the Service Excellence Advisor – 1st Year Summit Award, which honors the most exceptional SEA in our organization. Russell is a remarkable individual who deserves this honor for his outstanding contributions to our team, our customers, and our community.

Russell is a positive role model for his peers, consistently demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and excellence. He goes out of his way to make everyone feel valued, whether by greeting them with a smile, offering a helping hand, or giving a sincere compliment. He is always eager to learn new skills, embrace new challenges, and share his knowledge and experience with others. He is a leader who inspires trust, earns respect, and fosters collaboration.

Russell embodies the essence of customer service, which is at the heart of CLS. He treats everyone with courtesy, empathy, and enthusiasm. Russell attentively listens to their needs, provides the best solutions, and follows up to ensure their satisfaction. He has received countless positive feedback from our caregivers, who appreciate his friendly, attentive, and reliable service.

While forming SEA groups, it was decided to place Russell in a group with others who were quiet and reserved by nature. Although Russell may have been unsure of the expectations himself, he exuded his usual positive, energetic, and upbeat mentality. His energy, great ideas, and wit made everyone eager to attend his group’s training sessions, knowing they would not only share a laugh but also receive heartfelt and genuine information.

Russell is also a generous and compassionate individual who dedicates much of his time to the Big Stone Health Care Foundation, our charitable arm that supports various causes and initiatives. He is passionate about making a positive impact in the world and actively participates in fundraising events to achieve this. Last year, he received the Volunteer of the Year Award for his exceptional dedication and impact. He is a role model not only within our organization but also within our broader community.

For these reasons, and many more, I believe Russell Minahan is the ideal candidate for the Service Excellence Advisor – 1st Year Summit Award. He is a valuable asset to our organization and a shining example of what it means to be an exceptional employee. He has earned my highest

Russ is a member of the IT Team at OAHS. I know Russ on a professional level only. However, his genuinely kind and caring nature most likely emanates into every aspect of his life. When there is an issues, he is there to fix it within minutes. He is patient, and even if the issue is fixed by restarting a computer, Russ smiles and says he is always glad to help.

If there is a call for volunteers, Russ can always be counted on. He is on several committees within the organization, and he dedicates much of his time outside of work to serve these committees at different events. He is a solid fixture within the OAHS organization, and due to his commitment to his job and helpful nature, I believe this made him the perfect candidate to be an SEA.

I was on the committee that picked which groups the SEA’s would fit into. This was early on in the CLS initiative taking off on our campus, and as you could imagine most didn’t know what to expect and were hesitant as the expectations on an SEA level were still bit unclear. It was decided to put Russ in a group with others who were quiet and reserved by nature. While Russ might have been unsure of the expectioantions, himself, he was exuberating a positive, energetic, upbeat mentalist, as that is his norm. His energy, great ideas, and wit got everyone excited about what was to come with the CLS initiative. I believe people were excited to attend his gropu’s trainings as they knew they would get a laugh at some points, while receiving information that was heartfelt and genuine.

Due to a family funeral, Russ was unable to attend one of the training sessions that he was scheduled to help conduct. He worked diligently with me to ensure his part in teh training was covered. In addition, he offered to assist with further CLS training classes that would capture any new hires and caregivers who were unable to attend previous classes.

One would be hard pressed to find a more dedicated employee or caregiver Russ. He ensures that whatever he is doing is done correctly and with 100% effort. He is the very epitome of the phrase “Service Excellence.”

When the need arose for a representative for a SEA member from Clinic Nursing, Kelly was the obvious choice. She is the kind of employee who consistently strives to do what is right. Her commitment extends to doing right by the patients, her coworkers, and the facility at large. Selecting Kelly to represent clinical nursing was an apt decision, as she stands out as a staff advocate and would significantly contribute to the discussions that the SEI would involve her and her colleagues in.

While in the SEA trainings and after, Kelly promptly offered suggestions and took initiative in assisting me with their implementation alongside the clinic nursing team. With her support, we created ‘Nurse Huddle’ notes, summarizing our daily discussions. Her encouragement led to the creation of a ‘Clinic Need to Know’ newsletter, distributed weekly to clinic nurses, providers, patient access staff, billing, and selected team members. She also introduced SEI concepts to the nursing team, emphasizing the importance of providing top-notch patient care and supporting our colleagues.

Kelly ensured the documentation of nurse meeting minutes continued. This act of informal leadership highlighted for the clinic nurses the significance of reviewing meeting minutes, especially if they were absent from the meeting, as the information conveyed might be crucial to their daily responsibilities and support of the clinic nursing team.

Kelly’s extensive experience with Ortonville Area Health Services and her camaraderie with the clinic nursing staff enabled her to effectively advocate for both minor and significant changes brought by the SEI program, securing greater acceptance from the nurses.

To conclude, Kelly acknowledges her initial uncertainty regarding her involvement but now fully grasps the presented information and is dedicated to aiding the facility’s improvement.

I am honored to nominate Kelly Rademacher for the Summit Awards for Service Excellence Advisor. Kelly has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her teams and patients, making her an exemplary candidate for this prestigious award.

Kelly’s dedication to her teams is evident in her willingness to go above and beyond her regular duties. She volunteered to conduct additional SEA workshops, showcasing her proactive approach and eagerness to share her knowledge. During one of these workshops, Kelly faced a challenging situation but handled it with remarkable expertise, drawing on the skills and insights she had gained. Her ability to navigate such challenges with grace and professionalism is a testament to her exceptional capabilities as a Service Excellence Advisor.

Beyond her contributions to our initiative, Kelly has always been someone who cares deeply about her patients. She is known for her compassionate approach, always willing to lend an ear or go the extra mile to serve her patients. Her genuine concern for their well-being and her dedication to providing the highest level of care have made a significant impact on those she serves. Kelly’s unwavering commitment to excellence and her heartfelt dedication to her patients and teams make her a truly deserving candidate for the Summit Awards for Service Excellence Advisor.

Myka Ross has significantly transformed the HR department in her short tenure at Ortonville Area Health Services (OAHS). Thanks to her dedication and drive, she has made the HR department approachable and likable again, attracting more employees to seek assistance than ever before.

Her office is a hub of constant activity. As Team Captain of the Onboarding and Retention OASIS team, Myka prioritized the implementation of a new Human Resources Information System (HRIS) to streamline departmental processes. Under her leadership, the team also introduced new hire swag and streamlined onboarding processes across both campuses. The innovative ideas generated by this OASIS team have been successfully put into action, showcasing the effective leadership provided by Captain Myka.

Myka is always approachable, ready to answer questions and find solutions to any issues. She continuously seeks new ways to enhance employee morale and add value at OAHS through grants, programs, and incentives. As a strong leader, she consistently goes beyond her duties to ensure that everyone’s day progresses smoothly and successfully.

She consistently greets everyone with a smile, enhancing the workplace atmosphere. Despite her constantly changing schedule, Myka maintains a positive attitude that uplifts the entire department, motivating the team to strive for excellence.

To sum it up, Myka Ross is a proactive doer, a strong leader, respectful, a great listener, an effective problem solver, a skilled mediator, and an incredible boss to have in my corner. Her remarkable impact on the HR department and her effective leadership style make her an invaluable asset to OAHS.

Steph is resident oriented with making special cakes and treats, and homemade meals. Ensuring they “get what they want” as, locating the correct TV, radio or other appliance. She is good at locating difficult foods due to allergies, aiding with ordering of special request items for residents. She finds TV channels and makes schedules for each individual for the team they follow, which may include national, high school, college, etc. She is very savvy with electronics and can assist with many areas on the computer, helping staff and residents.

Staff rely on Steph in many areas as a Nurse, computer whiz, resource finder and many areas with resident/staff. The organization is lucky to have her, as we the staff are at FWV, but feel the most fortunate are our residents for making FWV Neighborhoods very personal and homelike for them.

No idea is ever too big for Betty, the Neighborhood Lead for our Granite View Neighborhood with Ortonville Area Health Services Fairway View Senior Campus. It is my pleasure to nominate her for the Exceptional Employee Award. If you want something done, Betty is the person to approach.

When a resident expressed a longing to fly in a crop duster for his birthday, Betty made it happen. Last fall, she arranged for a local pilot to fulfill this resident’s long-held dream of an airplane ride. Dreams come true at Fairway View—especially when Betty is involved.

Betty has gone above and beyond by coordinating fundraisers to purchase and install a gazebo in our courtyard. She is currently collaborating with the team to coordinate a vendor fair fundraiser this fall on our campus. She leads with a passion and drive that belie her years, showing no signs of slowing down. Betty treats every resident’s need with utmost importance.

Her positive, can-do attitude inspires everyone around her. She conducts Neighborhood Meetings with interactive brainstorming activities, ensuring every caregiver has a voice. Betty also takes time to create scrapbooks for her neighborhood, actively involving residents in all activities.

You may see Betty randomly pull together a group of residents for a game of cards in her neighborhood, or she may be bedside holding a resident’s hand while playing hymns to bring comfort. Her work on the Staff Appreciation Group (SAG) committee has been incredible, consistently recognizing and rewarding caregivers who go above and beyond.

Betty is an exemplary caregiver, often juggling several side projects aimed at enhancing life at Fairway View.

Heather is a go-getter, often the first one to arrive at the office and the last to leave. Her work output is outstanding; other leaders and caregivers frequently seek her out when they need tasks accomplished efficiently. She is reliable and has become a cornerstone of our leadership team at Ortonville Area Health Services, Fairway View Neighborhoods campus.

With the heart of a social worker, Heather genuinely cares about both the residents on our campus and the caregivers who work here. She listens intently to residents, families, and caregivers, earning their trust as many confide in her. She offers a comforting presence to everyone she meets, attentively addressing their concerns.

Her presence in the workplace is consistently positive and uplifting. I have watched Heather blossom into her role, and she works diligently to meet the needs of those we serve. If a resident needs a bus ride to the clinic, Heather will drop everything at a moment’s notice to accommodate this need. She has a way of understanding all perspectives and being empathetic with each viewpoint. The fact that she is one of the first to welcome new residents and families is a blessing to those who come to Fairway View.

Heather conducts herself in a professional and passionate manner and has developed many strong relationships with residents, families, and caregivers. I have heard it said before, “I wish we had 20 Heathers on our team.” She has also worked diligently to bridge our medical and senior living campuses together. Heather is kind-hearted and truly passionate about what she does.

She has dived right into implementing new ideas and is quick to take initiative. Heather is a go-to resource for many on our campus and has proven to be an invaluable asset to OAHS, Fairway View.

Anita is a nurse of 42 years for OAHS! She has been a solid, reliable and resourceful presence on our team. She is a charge nurse and has been in this role for years. She navigates team dynamics with maturity and respect.

She is a teacher and mentor for our new hires and younger staff members whom seek to use her a resource.

Her knowledge base extends to a nursing practice that used to be on paper and is now completely electronic. She history and knowledge are invaluable to the team. She loves to work her night shifts and navigates minimal staffing and the patients census with finesse.

Anita picks up extra routinely and steps up to help when and where she is able, she picks up extra weekends routinely as well. She is that reliable, ‘always there’ nurse that we all don’t give enough credit too.

She is an exceptional nurse to her patients and their families. Her maturity allows her to see all sides to patient situations and she is able to see options to help in patient’s time of medical need and provides great education for her patients to be successful upon discharge.

Anita is a respected and appreciated team leader and we love to work with her.

“I wish we could clone Ashley” is a common phrase heard in my neighborhood. Why is this being said? It is because Ashley goes above and beyond. She is a person who listens. She hears the resident’s concerns and she strives to meet their needs and give them the best care that they deserve.

Not only does she listen to residents, she listens to staff. Ashley will listen and strive to come to a solution, together for staff and will staff.

Whether it is running to get prescriptions that are needed, taking glasses to be fixed, bringing in fresh fish to fry or a special something for a resident, Ashley will do it.

She will also step in wherever needed. If we are short or staff is a little behind, Ashley will jump in and help CNAs. She has even jumped in to help as homemaker all while doing her own work. Ashley is a caring, compassionate caregiver. She cares.

Carlin is affectionately known as the ‘mom’ of our nursing team, always providing support where it’s most needed. Whether it’s assisting colleagues in the operating room, stepping in as an outreach/same-day surgery admission/discharge nurse, or filling shifts on the medical/surgical unit, her commitment is unwavering. Carlin is a pillar of reliability, always ready to jump in with critical patient care without needing to be asked.

Her career spans several years, during which she has profoundly impacted our team by fostering a culture of excellence and compassion. Carlin has not only precepted numerous nursing students but has also taken many new hires under her wing. She teaches them about essential workflows, supplies, and processes that pave the way for their future success. Furthermore, her educational role extends beyond our hospital walls as she expertly teaches ACLS, PALS, BLS, Lucas equipment, and CALS to rural healthcare teams, where she is celebrated for her pedagogical skills.

Carlin’s patient care is nothing short of exceptional. She naturally assumes the role of an educator with patients and their families, ensuring they fully understand their care plans and how to manage their health successfully at home. It’s common for patients to specifically request her by name, seeking her out for her warmth, attentiveness, and skilled care.

In addition to her clinical and educational roles, Carlin has a special touch in patient comfort, managing her own schedule to provide nail care, a service where patients praise her tender, loving care. Her broad skill set and deep compassion make her a role model within our community and an exemplary representation of our nursing team’s ideals.

Carlin’s profound dedication to nursing excellence, patient care, and education makes her an outstanding candidate for this award. We deeply value her presence and influence in our lives, both professionally and personally, and believe she truly embodies what it means to be an exceptional nurse.

Maria serves as the go-to RN for managing highly acute patients on our team. She adeptly steps into the ER to support the team leader or strategically positions new staff in the ER to foster their experience while she expertly manages patients in the med/surg unit. This strategic positioning allows her to mentor effectively and enhance the professional growth of new staff members. Additionally, Maria provides invaluable support in OB by acting as a backup in labor and delivery. She offers expert consultation, reviews fetal strips, and collaborates with healthcare providers to develop comprehensive care plans for patients with diverse medical and social needs.

Beyond her clinical duties, Maria is dedicated to offering lactation counseling to all OB patients. Recognizing the challenges new mothers face, she provides her direct phone number upon their discharge, offering a direct line for support as they navigate the early stages of parenting. This gesture has proven invaluable for many families, easing the transition to parenthood. Maria also ensures to follow up with these patients post-discharge, reaffirming her commitment to their continued wellbeing.

Maria’s educational roles are equally impactful. As our Childbirth Educator, she conducts both on-line and in-person community classes, empowering parents with knowledge and skills for effective childbirth and newborn care. Moreover, she leads our Trauma/Stroke programs, dedicating considerable time and effort to maintain gold standards in care, meet educational requirements, and ensure compliance with the MN Department of Health’s rigorous certification processes.

Additionally, as a mother of three beautiful girls, one with special needs, Maria exemplifies resilience and compassion. Despite her personal challenges, she consistently brings positivity and support to her workplace, offering a helping hand to her colleagues. Her dedication and hard work often go unnoticed, but they significantly bolster our team’s performance and morale.

Maria is truly an exceptional individual. We are profoundly fortunate to have her expertise, empathy, and leadership as part of our team, making her not just a valued colleague but also a cherished friend.

Randy is an exceptional addition to our staff. He works very hard for all staff and residents. He has spent his time grilling special meals for our residents. He always makes sure a resident has a special birthday meal to celebrate them. He also will make a special meal for someone who is leaving our facility to go home. this makes the residents feel very special.

Randy has also volunteered many hours to our facility. He spent a Saturday hauling dirt into our planters outdoors so they would be ready to plant. He also built a planter for strawberries.

When it comes to scheduling we probably all hate it. However, Randy has tackled some very rough looking schedules and was able to find solutions for them. this is so appreciated as it takes a lot of stress off of other staff.

Randy has also been involved with the gazebo fundraising and Staff Appreciation Group. I give a huge shout-out to Randy deNeui for all he has done for our residents and staff!