Laura Howell, Radiation Oncology, of West Hartford, won “The Spirit of Planetree Award,” and the staff of the Radiology/Cardiology was named “Department of the Year” at the hospital’s annual Employee Recognition ceremony, held May 17 at the Crowne Plaza in Southbury.
Griffin Hospital CEO and President Patrick Charmel made the award announcements at the event, which is held each year during National Hospital Week and recognizes employees and physicians for years of service and outstanding performance.
In addition to the employee and department of the year winners, 68 employees and physicians were recognized for five-year milestones at the event.
Topping the list of service award recipients were Carol Dalton of Ansonia, Gene DeLaurentis of Wallingford, Harold Hebb of Naugatuck, and Nira Silverman, MD, of North Haven, for 40 years of service; Donna Branch of Ansonia, Donna Costanzo of Seymour, Thomas Creed of Oxford, Gerald G. Germano, MD, of Oxford, Alma Harmon of Ansonia, Thomas Hughes of Milford, and M. Koneswaran, MD, of Shelton, for 35 years of service; and John Cannici of Southbury, Israel Dvoretzky, MD, of Hamden, James R. Pinke, MD, of Shelton, Rory Proctor of Ansonia, Kenneth A. Ward, MD, of Woodbridge, and Geraldine Robinson of Derby, for 30 years of service.
The hospital’s Employee of the Year selections come from its monthly ITIP (I Take It Personally) program, in which employees are nominated by fellow employees for the honor. Each month, four employees are selected on the basis of attitude, behavior, accountability and personal appearance, one in each of four categories: Ancillary, Nursing, Service and Support.
Of these employees, four are selected as finalists for the honor of “Employee of the Year.” In addition to Halligan and Thibodeau, Howell and Ed Valente, RN, of Naugatuck, were finalists.
Four hospital departments also are honored annually as “Department of the Quarter,” with one selected as “Department of the Year.” In addition to Radiation/Cardiology, Department of the Quarter winners were the Emergency Department, Information Services/Meaningful Use Steering Team, and Cardiac Rehabilitation.
Valente Wins Nurse of the Year
In addition to these awards, several people were honored at the May 9 Griffin Hospital Nurses Day celebration.
This included The Outstanding Nurse of the Year, given to Valente; The Physician of the Year, given to Dr. Joseph Gnanaraj, MD, of Oxford; The Marie Santini Perioperatice Nursing Excellence Award, given to Sue Bouton, RN, of Oxford; The Richard Stivala, MD, Obstetric Nursing Excellence Award, given to Jen Liao-Liu, RN, of Watertown; The Mary Schumacher Leadership Award, given to Susan Gucwa-Bucasas, RN, of Shelton; The Mary Nelligan Award for Continuing Education, given to Stephanie Sewersky, RN, of Bridgeport; The Donald Torok Memorial Scholarship, given to Lisa Vitale, MST, of East Haven; and two Shirley Yale Scholarships, given to Tricia DeGennaro, RN, and Yang Dhondop, LPN, both of Naugatuck.
