We make a difference in our communities because of our outstanding people. And in December, we recognized several team members as Employee of the Month for putting our mission into action each day.
Employee of the Month recognizes the people you love to work with. The winners exhibit Kettering Health’s Standards of Behavior, live out our values, and demonstrate the healing presence practices outlined in Called to Care.
Thank you for impacting the lives of those in our community by fulfilling our mission. Our work wouldn’t be possible without you!
Continue reading to see the nomination stories for our December Employees of the Month.
Want to recognize a Kettering Health team member? Click here to nominate them for a Stars award or send them a Shooting Star shout-out!
Employees of the Month
Some people quietly make everything better and Dee is one of those people. As the backbone of operations at Fresco, Dee ensures each day runs smoothly, efficiently, and with heart. Her impact goes far beyond her job description. On her own time, Dee creates innovative monthly drink specials and designs eye-catching advertising signs that elevate the customer experience and bring energy into the space.
Dee’s organizational skills keep the team aligned and focused, while her creativity adds joy and connection for customers and coworkers alike. Her willingness to step in wherever needed is especially evident through her continued support at the Cancer Center Bistro, where she consistently goes above and beyond to help serve others.
Dee’s actions reflect Excellence in the quality and care she brings to her work, Leadership through her initiative and reliability, and Belonging in the positive, uplifting environment she helps create. As one colleague shared, “Dee’s generosity and commitment make her an invaluable asset. Things just work better when she’s involved.” Congratulations, Dee, on being named Employee of the Month. Thank you for your creativity, dedication, and heart. You make a meaningful difference every single day.
Sometimes it’s the smallest acts of kindness that make the biggest difference. Jaylynn demonstrated this truth when she went above and beyond to care for an elderly patient and bring comfort to his family during a stressful hospital stay.
While assisting a patient who was feeling frustrated and confused about his discharge plan, Jaylynn took the initiative to involve the nurse, ensuring clear communication and easing his anxiety. Noticing that the patient’s cell phone was about to die and it was his lifeline to family, Jaylynn didn’t hesitate. On her own initiative, she went to the gift shop to purchase a charger so he could stay connected, refusing any form of repayment.
Jaylynn’s actions reflect Wholeness through her compassion and integrity, Excellence in her responsiveness and follow-through, and Belonging in the way she made both patient and family feel cared for and supported. Her kindness brought reassurance not only to the patient, but to loved ones who couldn’t be there in person.
As the nominator shared, “Knowing that someone like Jaylynn is looking out for him brings such comfort. Her compassion and genuine care truly stood out.”
Congratulations, Jaylynn, on being recognized as Employee of the Month and thank you for the heart, humanity, and care you bring to every patient you serve.
For Taylor, caring for patients is deeply personal. During a recent shift, she spent hours supporting a confused elderly patient who was anxious and unsettled. Wanting to bring him comfort, Taylor purchased a stuffed dog from the gift shop to remind him of the pet he missed at home. The effect was immediate. His anxiety eased, and he found calm through her kindness and presence.
This moment reflects how Taylor shows up every day. She is known for forming genuine connections with patients and families, advocating fiercely for the best outcomes, and bringing warmth and patience into even the most challenging situations. Time and again, she’s the nurse who can soften fear, spark a smile, and restore dignity.
Taylor’s commitment also strengthens her department. She has dedicated countless hours to organizing the unit and creating a detailed downtime resource to ensure preparedness when systems go offline. A resource that is an invaluable contribution that supports safety and teamwork.
As one colleague shared, “Taylor has a way of making patients feel safe and cared for, no matter the situation.”
In moments of fear and vulnerability, the presence of a calm and compassionate caregiver can make all the difference, and Kimberly was exactly that. When a fellow Kettering Health RN experienced a sudden and frightening reaction to contrast during an outpatient test, Kimberly responded immediately. She ensured oxygen was administered without delay, stayed close to provide reassurance, and safely escorted her colleague to the Emergency Department for further care.
What truly set Kimberly apart was what happened next. Later in her shift, she checked in to make sure her colleague was recovering. The following morning, she reached out again, sharing that she had been thinking about her throughout the night and hoping she was doing well. These thoughtful gestures brought comfort long after the emergency had passed.
Kimberly’s actions reflect Wholeness through her compassion, Leadership in responding decisively during a crisis, and Belonging in the way she cared for a teammate as family. As the nominator shared, “I am proud to be a KHN employee knowing that team members like Kimberly provide such compassionate care, not only to patients, but to one another.”
Congratulations, Kimberly, on being recognized as Employee of the Month. Thank you for living our mission and reminding us of what true care looks like.
Sometimes the greatest impact comes from noticing the small things that make a big difference. Stan does just that every day. As a system courier for Kettering Health, Stan consistently shows up with a positive attitude and a genuine commitment to helping others, no matter the situation.
During a recent weekend shift, Stan noticed supplies in the warehouse designated for the Springfield lab. Although Springfield was not part of his scheduled route that day, Stan took the initiative to load the supplies with the intention of delivering them if time allowed. That simple, thoughtful decision led to meaningful results: critical supplies for ER respiratory testing arrived two days ahead of schedule, specimens were transported to KMC without the need for additional resources, and Stan’s observation helped leadership recognize the value of adding Springfield to the regular weekend route, a change that has since been implemented.
Stan’s work reflects Excellence in his reliability and attention to detail, Leadership in identifying opportunities for system-wide improvement, and Belonging in the genuine, respectful way he interacts with every person he supports. As his leader shared, “Stan is the epitome of excellence and a wonderful example of creating belonging.”
Congratulations, Stan, on being named Employee of the Month. Thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and the positive impact you make across Kettering Health every single day.