News

Beebe Recognizes Employees with "You Make a Difference" Award

08/15/05

Beebe Medical Center is pleased to announce and congratulate its most recent You Make A Difference award winners: Stephen J. Cahoon, Juan Heras, and Barbara Landon.

Stephen J. Cahoon, a patient relations representative, and Juan Heras, a physical therapy aid, are both August winners. Operating Room nurse Barbara Landon, CRNFA, earned the award for July.

Arleen M. Laporte, Executive Assistant to Beebe Medical Center President Jeffrey M. Fried, nominated Cahoon for his professionalism and dependability when dealing with patients and their problems and concerns.

I have the peace of mind knowing that when I call the Patient Relations office and make a referral to Steve, that the issue will be addressed, and in a timely manner, Laporte wrote. He treats each and every patient and family member with the utmost respect, exhibiting the compassion and caring demeanor that is so important during stressful and emotional times.

Laporte also noted his sense of humor, his attention to details and his ability to communicate clearly, which helps makes him an invaluable team member and someone with whom it is enjoyable to work. Cahoon has worked for Beebe for six years. During the first three he was a case manager.

Dr. Paul Cowan, the Emergency Medicine Trauma Liaison and a physician in the Emergency Department, nominated Heras because of the translation services he has provided in cases of medical emergencies. Heras, who is employed at Beebe in the Baylis Rehabilitation Center, is a member of the hospital's volunteer language bank as a Spanish interpreter.

In Dr. Cowan's nomination form, he specified a time when Heras helped interpret for two Hispanic construction workers who had been brought to the Emergency Department after falling off of a roof.

Not only did his communication techniques aid in the evaluation of these men, but he was able to ease their fears of the communication barrier, Dr. Cowan wrote.

Heras has worked at Beebe for two years. He also does casual work for Beebe's Environmental Services Department.

Dr. Robert Wiltshire, an anesthesiologist with Delaware Anesthesia Associates in Lewes, nominated Landon for her many years of helping the OR staff, for organizing all kinds of celebrations and social events for the staff, as well as for her excellent abilities in the operating room.

Dr. Wiltshire also cited Landon's involvement in both the creation and painting of the colorful mural that covers a temporary wall in the operating room. Barbara, who organized a group of volunteers to pain, has done much of the work herself.
The paintings are of staff members in several departments including OR, Same-Day Surgery, PACU, and Sterile Processing. Employees in Pre-OP Testing also are going to be depicted on the walls, Barbara said.

This award is overdue for Barbara, Dr. Wiltshire wrote on the nomination form. She is absolutely an amazing person and a total gem for Beebe. If anybody makes a difference, it's Barbara.

Landon has been employed at Beebe for 20 years. She worked in the Emergency Department for five years, and in the Operating Room for the past 15 years.


Beebe Medical Center's You Make A Difference employee recognition program, which was established in 2002, gives employees the opportunity to recognize their colleagues for outstanding service. The program is similar to an employee of the month program, but 18 employees can be selected annually. Each nomination, which may be submitted by fellow employees or management, must meet criteria developed by the committee. The You Make A Difference Review Board evaluates eligible nominations each month. Winners are announced in a surprise ceremony in which the committee meets in their department and presents the award. Employees selected for the award receive:

§ Parking space with sign/plaque for a month
§ $100 gift certificate to business of choice within Sussex County
§ Letter of congratulations and personal visit from Jeffrey Fried, Beebe president
§ Photo for wall plaque on hall outside of cafeteria
§ Special pin for badge
§ Letter to team member's director and department recognition