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The Rumford Hospital has announced GEMS recipients. The GEMS system recognizes staff at three levels of achievement. GEMS Diamond award recipients are, from left, Sylvia Goodman, Charlene Burgi, Betty Palmer and Steve Yap. Diamonds not pictured are Brenda Duguay, Deb Gorham and Cindy Toher.

GEMS Ruby award recipients at Rumford Hospital are, from left, Heather Kellogg, Kim Akers, Dale Gaudreau and Peggy Blouin. Ruby recipients not pictured are Marie Charleston and Cathy Godwin.

Hospital honors employees

RUMFORD – Three years ago the Central Maine Medical Family developed a new program, GEMS, which recognizes clinical staff, including nurses, CNAs, social workers, emergency department technicians and respiratory therapists, for excellence in five areas: clinical excellence, customer service, education and research, leadership, and community service. The ultimate goal of the program is to demonstrate commitment to excellence in patient care throughout the system.

GEMS stands for Growth, Enthusiasm, Motivation and Spirit. GEMS recognizes staff at three levels of achievement, sapphire, ruby and diamond. In order to keep standards high, staff members are awarded GEMS status for two years, after which they must re-apply for their current level or a higher level.

Eleven staff members have been awarded GEMS status for the first time. In alphabetical order, Shandi Averill, birthing center nurse, sapphire; Peg Blouin, nursing supervisor, ruby; Tamara Breton, oncology nurse, sapphire; Charlene Burgi, ICU nurse, diamond; Brenda Duguay, ICU unit coordinator, diamond; Dale Gaudreau, RN, med/surg unit coordinator, ruby; Cathy Godwin, nursing supervisor, ruby; Betty Palmer, emergency department nurse, diamond; Melissa Pelletier, operating room nurse, sapphire; Cindy Toher, lead pharmacy tech, diamond; and Steve Yap, ED nurse, diamond.

Six staff members have had their GEMS awards renewed. They are Kim Akers, day surgery clinical coordinator, ruby; Marie Charleston, oncology nurse, ruby; Sylvia Goodman, ICU nurse, diamond; Deb Gorham, day surgery nurse, diamond; Lisa Hodgkins, oncology unit coordinator, diamond; and Heather Kellogg, operating room nurse, ruby.