Franklin Community Health Network employees were honored recently. From left are Carol Jackson, event organizer; Bob Zimmerman, health information management director; Mary O’Donal, longest employee; and in back, Tom Hagerstrom, human resources director.

Health network honors employees

FARMINGTON – Franklin Memorial Hospital’s Bass Room was the setting for the annual employee recognition reception for Franklin Community Health Network on May 27. Employees at five-year milestones and those with 16 or more years of service were invited to attend.

The event, coordinated by Carol Jackson of human resources, kicked off with a social hour with refreshments and background music performed by siblings, Christopher and Brittany Rogers.

Comments from hospital officials, including board Chairman Doug Walrath and Rebecca Ryder, FCHN president/CEO, preceded the presentation of awards.

Ryder thanked the group for their quality of work. “It’s your level of commitment that make this organization great,” she said. “The longevity of employment by staff is remarkable compared to other health care organizations and it does impact our quality of care and the patient experience. Bless you for everything you do; I’m thrilled to be a part of this organization.”

More than 120 employees and their guests attended the reception.

Certificates and gifts were presented to those employees at five-year milestones and managers were on hand to provide anecdotes as employees accepted their gifts.

Mary O’Donal had the most years of service. O’Donal, who has been employed by the hospital for 48 years, started her career as a nurse’s helper at the original facility on North Main Street. When the new hospital opened at its present location in 1975, O’Donal started out as a unit secretary on the medical/surgical unit, then moved to unit secretary in the operating room, before finally settling into the medical records department where she has been for the last 18 years.

Special recognition was also given to employees present with more than 25 years of service. They included: Winnie Mosher, 31 years, emergency department; Tom Hagerstrom, 34, human resources; Nancy Larue, 42, med/surg unit; Jan Bell, 26, med/surg unit; Anna Ellrich, 33, purchasing; Rachel Marble, 33, health access; Pam Ernest, 33, nursing; Charlie Woodcock, 34, health access; Carol James, 44, laundry; June Lane, 26, med/surg unit; Deborah Seeley, 33, lab; Roberta Richardson, 44, day surgery; Michelle Abbott, 27, emergency department; William Colwell, 27, information systems; and Charlene Colwell, 27, maternal/child health.

A raffle was held at the conclusion of the event.

Franklin Community Health Network is an independent community health care network that includes Franklin Memorial Hospital, Franklin Health, Evergreen Behavioral Services, NorthStar and the Healthy Community Coalition.