In continuing to recognize employees as part of Health Care week, Guthrie Healthcare System held a special ceremony to recognize this year’s Dr. James S. T Memorial Award winner as Karen Williams, PharmD.
    This award was established in the memory of former Robert Packer Hospital Radiologist Dr. James S. Ty — who passed away in 1995 — by his family and the RPH Radiology Department. It’s been awarded over the past 13 years to those who demonstrate a constant focus on quality and improvement in the workplace; demonstrate an interest in the improvement of professional competence by constant dedication and devotion to the organization and the patients it serves; and who have been employed at the hospital for more than three years.
    Williams’ credits include presenting or publishing about diabetes management, Medicare Part D, pain management, tobacco cessation, cardiac medications, abuse of prescription and over the counter medications and standards of care. Williams has also been involved in the design of a current Epic information systems project and was instrumental in the smooth implementation of an electronic medication administration record, bar coding and pharmacy system, according to a Guthrie press release.
    “I come to you with a little bit of surprise because I didn’t think I would see the building again until July (due to maternity leave),” Williams began. “I am honored to have been nominated this year . . . I was looking through the list of people who were nominated and was honored to be amongst them.”
    She also thanked the committee for their hard work in picking the finalists, which she admitted must have been a hard task, and for the family of Dr. Ty for creating the award.
    The other award nominees were Kathy Anderson, RN, Arrhythmia Center; Mary Beth Bidlack, RN, Radiology; Allison Caccia, RN, Joint Camp; Mary Haner, RN, Preadmission Services; Pam Orshaw, RN, Cardiovascular Service Line; Jim Rymell, Team Leader, Environmental Services; Valerie Seymour, RN, Joint Camp; and Lucinda Wiseman, RN, Nurse Manager.
    Anderson and Haner were the other two finalists from the group and took home a monetary award for their service and dedication.
    Prior to the presentation Ty’s son Michael, an award winning chef, said how great it was to come back to the valley area.
    “It’s always a great reunion to come back here. You get to meet friends who’ve made our life, impacted our life here in the Valley,” said Ty.
    Ty also thanked the nine nominees for all of the hard work they do and to those in attendance.
    “My father never had many (free) hours. He was here bright and early in the morning, late at night and on weekends. He was a true professional in my heart and a great father for us as well,” Ty said.
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    Matt Hicks can be contacted at matthicks@morning-times.com