Some people make an extraordinary difference through countless acts of compassion that become part of who they are. That is exactly what makes Melissa Helton so deserving of this recognition.

Melissa consistently goes far beyond the expectations of her role, putting patients first in every situation. Whether personally transporting a patient to the emergency department, communicating directly with the care team to ensure a smooth handoff, updating family members or following up after the visit, she makes certain no patient feels alone during a stressful time. One especially meaningful moment occurred when a patient arrived for a cardiac appointment experiencing urinary incontinence. Although her office did not have the appropriate supplies, Melissa quickly found a creative solution, fashioning a temporary brief from available materials so the patient could remain comfortable and preserve their dignity while receiving the cardiac care they needed.

Melissa’s unwavering compassion reflects our values of Wholeness by protecting the dignity and well-being of every patient and Excellence through thoughtful, dependable care that extends beyond expectations. Her selfless actions remind us that healing is about more than medicine. It is about meeting people with kindness when they need it most.

Melissa, thank you for the extraordinary care you provide each day and for living our mission through your actions.

Sometimes the greatest act of care is recognizing that a patient needs more than their treatment plan. Jenna had an opportunity to display such care and took action.

Jenna noticed a concerning pattern when a patient arrived in the emergency department for the 11th time following repeated falls. Rather than focusing only on the patient’s immediate needs, she looked beyond the current visit to understand what was driving the cycle. Taking ownership of the situation, Jenna reached out to the patient’s nursing home and provider to advocate for physical and occupational therapy services, ensuring the patient received the additional support needed to improve their safety and well-being.

Her thoughtful approach addressed the root cause instead of providing another temporary solution. By strengthening communication across care settings and advocating for preventive care, Jenna helped reduce the patient’s risk of future falls while supporting better long term health outcomes and quality of life.

Jenna’s actions reflect our values of Leadership by stepping forward to influence care beyond the walls of the emergency department and Excellence through thoughtful clinical judgment and proactive problem solving.

Jenna, thank you for seeing the bigger picture and for making a meaningful difference in the lives of those you serve. We are proud to highlight your Excellence in Action honor.

A simple conversation can change the course of a patient’s care when someone takes the time to truly listen. Sue turned a challenging phone call into an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

While calling a patient to reschedule an appointment at another location, Sue was met with understandable frustration. Instead of rushing through the conversation or becoming discouraged, she remained calm, patient and compassionate. As she listened, she recognized that the patient’s anger was rooted in a much more serious concern. Although Sue was not in a clinical role, she understood the importance of what she had heard and immediately brought the information to the nursing team. Because of her attentiveness and quick action, the patient’s follow-up appointment was expedited from months away to being seen that same week, allowing his concerns to be evaluated much sooner.

Sue’s actions reflect our values of Wholeness by ensuring the patient felt heard and cared for, Excellence through her thoughtful judgment and attention to detail, and Leadership by taking ownership of a situation that could have easily been overlooked. Her compassion reminds us that every interaction has the power to improve a patient’s experience and outcome.

Sue, thank you for the care, empathy, and attentiveness you bring to every conversation. Congratulations on being recognized as our Excellence in Action winner.

Great ideas become even more powerful when someone has the determination to turn them into lasting solutions. That’s exactly what Matt does every day through his thoughtful collaboration and commitment to improving patient care.

Known for his responsiveness and willingness to help, Matt approaches every challenge with urgency and a solution focused mindset. Most recently, he tackled a pain medication administration issue that had remained unresolved for months. By combining his expertise with close collaboration across teams, Matt developed a solution that brought clarity to a complex process and delivered meaningful improvements for caregivers and patients alike.

His work will have a system-wide impact by supporting compliance, preserving physician oversight, empowering patients to participate in medication decisions and reducing unnecessary workflow burdens for nursing teams. Beyond solving a technical challenge, Matt created a solution that will help teams provide safer, more efficient care across the organization.

Matt’s actions exemplify our values of Excellence through innovative problem solving and dependable results and Belonging through the collaborative partnerships he builds to help others succeed.

The influence of a great leader is often measured not by recognition, but by the people they inspire along the way. Throughout his time as department chair, Dr. Cory Wetterlin has led with humility, compassion and an unwavering commitment to serving others.

For the past five years, Dr. Wetterlin has guided his department with patience, kindness and a steady presence, helping build a cohesive and supportive team through years of change and growth. As new team members joined the department, he fostered an environment where collaboration flourished, and colleagues felt supported. Beyond his leadership, Dr. Wetterlin played a pivotal role in shaping the College’s focus on spiritual care through its religion coursework, including the development of a minor in spiritual care. His vision has strengthened the education of future healthcare professionals, equipping them to care for the whole person with compassion and purpose.

Dr. Wetterlin, thank you for your faithful leadership, your commitment to developing others, and the lasting influence you have made on Kettering College. Your leadership reminds us that investing in others creates a lasting impact that extends far beyond the classroom.

What began as a routine set of vital signs became a life-changing moment because Chrissy trusted her instincts and took the time to truly listen.

While preparing a patient for a CT Coronary exam, Chrissy noticed the patient’s heart rate was unusually low. After consulting with the Radiology PA to ensure the patient could safely complete the scheduled testing, she didn’t stop there. As she listened to the patient describe ongoing symptoms and the frustration of being told elsewhere that nothing was wrong, Chrissy recognized that something still wasn’t right. She encouraged the patient to go directly to the emergency department after the appointment so her condition could be evaluated further.

The patient followed Chrissy’s recommendation and was admitted to the cardiac unit. The very next day, she underwent a procedure to place three cardiac stents. Chrissy’s careful assessment, clinical judgment and compassionate advocacy helped ensure the patient received the timely care she needed before her condition became even more serious.

Chrissy’s actions exemplify our values of Excellence through her attentive clinical care, Wholeness by listening with compassion and treating the whole person, and Leadership by confidently speaking up when it mattered most. Her willingness to go beyond the immediate task made a lasting difference in one patient’s life.

Chrissy, thank you for your vigilance, compassion, and commitment to advocating for your patients. We truly appreciate you and are honored to recognize your excellence.

As the team worked to develop a safe discharge plan for a patient’s mother, Andrea took the time to listen carefully to the patient and each family member, ensuring everyone had an opportunity to share their concerns and hopes for the next steps. Her kindness, patience and thoughtful communication helped guide the family through an important decision with confidence and peace of mind. Rather than simply coordinating a discharge, Andrea created a collaborative experience that kept the patient’s needs at the center of every conversation.

The family’s appreciation was so heartfelt that a family member reached out specifically to thank Andrea, disappointed to learn she was not working that weekend. Their gratitude was a reflection of the lasting impact she made through her compassion and dedication.

Andrea’s actions exemplify our values of Belonging by bringing patients and families together in the care planning process, Wholeness through compassionate support during a critical transition, and Excellence by ensuring every decision reflected thoughtful, patient centered care.

Andrea, congratulations and thank you for the exceptional care that you provide every day.