We make a difference in our communities because of our outstanding people. And in November, 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 November 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
From the moment Lisa steps onto the unit, you can feel the shift. Her warmth, optimism, and genuine care lift everyone. She is the kind of nurse who not only meets the needs of her patients and colleagues but anticipates them, consistently going above and beyond without being asked.
Lisa’s impact shows up in countless ways. She comes in when the team is short-staffed, greets every person with kindness, and makes patients and coworkers feel seen and supported. Her patients feel such a deep connection some even call after hours hoping to reach her. For new team members, she creates an immediate sense of belonging, ensuring they feel welcomed and valued from Day 1.
Her actions embody our values. Excellence in the dependable, high-quality care she provides; Wholeness in the compassion she shows; and Belonging in the way she builds connection and her willingness to step in wherever she’s needed.
As one colleague said, “She never complains, always has a kind word, and makes a huge difference every day she works.” Another added, “We are so blessed to have her on our team.” Thank you for all that you do and congratulations on being named Employee of the Month.
When a year brings staff reassignments and unexpected leaves of absence, it takes someone truly steady to keep a program moving forward. For the OTD department, that person was Pam. Over the past year, she has remained steadfast, stepping in to ensure the needs of students and faculty while still completing her normal duties.
Pam was willing to learn new systems and job duties so the program could remain in step and on track for our students. She demonstrated exceptional leadership during the spring 2025 semester, initiating the many steps needed to prepare for commencement events unique to the OTD program. From reaching out to vendors for quotes and suggesting cost-saving alternatives, to coordinating with other staff for approved support, to acting as a direct assistant by tracking deadlines and approvals outside her usual purview, Pam ensured nothing slipped through the cracks.
Every student enrolled in the program noticed her dedication. Many made a point to “shout her out” during feedback sessions, often praising her even when not prompted. Through every challenge, she kept the faculty encouraged, reminding them with her signature motto, “all is well.”
Thank you! There are truly not enough words to express the appreciation of your colleagues, students, and the entire program. We appreciate you! Congratulations!
Destiny’s kindness is the perfect example. In a moment that could have defined a patient’s entire birth experience with stress and disappointment, she chose to respond with empathy, presence, and genuine care.
A patient arrived for a scheduled C-section that, due to a communications gap, had not been relayed to the unit. While the team acted quickly to contact the on-call provider and schedule the procedure, the patient was understandably upset. Destiny saw not just a medical need, but a human one. Later that evening, she returned with a bouquet of beautiful flowers, a simple, heartfelt gesture that acknowledged the patient’s anxiety and transformed her day with unexpected joy.
Her actions went above and beyond her role, embodying our values of Wholeness through compassion, Excellence through thoughtful service, and Belonging by making a patient feel truly cared for during a vulnerable moment.
Destiny, thank you for showing what patient-centered care looks like in its truest form, and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition as Employee of the Month!
Every day, people like Gerri quietly keep our system moving, but, sometimes, their impact shines so clearly that it demands to be celebrated. When a recent Epic Rover change caused ER patients to disappear from the transport queue, it could have created major delays and frustration. Instead, Gerri stepped in with calm determination and immediately began searching for answers.
She tested multiple approaches, collaborated with others, and ultimately identified a temporary solution that kept ER patients moving safely and on time. Thanks to her persistence, patient flow remained steady, and the quality of care never wavered.
But this is only one example of the leadership Gerri brings to her team. She is a trusted guide for new hires, a dependable presence who steps into the charge role whenever needed, and a steady problem-solver who sees challenges as opportunities to support others. Her adaptability, commitment, and willingness to take initiative exemplify Excellence and Leadership in action.
Gerri is “an invaluable asset to the organization” and her work makes a difference every day.
Gerri, thank you for your dedication, creativity, and unwavering focus on patient care. Congratulations on being named the Employee of the Month.
Some people embody quiet courage, and Sarah has shown just how powerful that courage can be. Even while navigating profound challenges in her own life, she has continued to care for patients and teammates with remarkable steadiness, empathy, and grace.
Sarah is often who patients turn to when they feel overwhelmed. She takes time to explain complex insurance details, helps those with limited literacy complete essential paperwork, and offers calm, compassionate support in moments of distress. She recently sat with a patient during a panic attack until they felt safe again. One patient now asks for her by name, a true testament to the trust she builds through genuine kindness.
Her strength was especially evident during a serious safety incident in the Preble 108 Office. When an upset patient displayed a weapon and made threats, Sarah remained composed, quickly alerted security and leadership, kept the area secure, and worked to keep the patient as calm as possible. After the danger passed, she ensured accurate communication, supported the patient’s spouse, and took part in safety debriefing and planning. Her calm, controlled response likely prevented harm and enabled a swift, safe resolution.
Sarah, thank you for your resilience, compassion, and the steady presence you bring to our team. Congratulations on being named Employee of the Month, an honor you have truly earned.
Through an end-of-life process, Taylor never left a patient’s bedside. She made sure the patient and the patient’s friend were supported and felt love during a difficult time. Taylor’s compassion for her job and her patients is a beautiful testament to how God is working through her. Thank you, Taylor, for always being a wonderful example of love in action.
Taylor recently demonstrated extraordinary compassion while caring for an elderly patient whose condition was rapidly declining on the MedSurg unit. The patient had hoped to transition to hospice, but his sudden deterioration made that impossible. With no immediate family available, Taylor stayed at his bedside, holding his hand, offering comfort, and ensuring he never felt alone.
When the patient’s friend arrived, Taylor calmly explained the situation and guided him to the bedside, staying with them to answer questions and provide support. Within minutes, the patient passed away peacefully, surrounded by care and compassion. Taylor continued to console the friend, sharing in his grief and ensuring he did not face this loss alone.
Her actions went far beyond clinical duties. They created a space of belonging, wholeness, and human connection at a critical moment. Taylor’s care exemplifies our values, delivering excellence, fostering wholeness, and modeling leadership through empathy.
Lisett consistently goes above and beyond to ensure her unit is clean, safe, and welcoming. She takes pride in every detail, even getting down on her hands and knees to clean hard-to-reach areas. Her dedication doesn’t stop at the physical space. She also brings warmth and positivity, greeting everyone with a smile and creating an uplifting environment for staff, patients, and visitors.
Her efforts have a meaningful impact. Staff and visitors can count on a spotless, well-kept environment that supports health, safety, and comfort. The attention she gives to the space helps our team focus on providing excellent care, knowing the environment is consistently clean and organized.
Lisett’s actions reflect our core values. Her commitment to excellence shows in the meticulous care she puts into her work. Her warmth fosters belonging, and her dedication to the well-being of others exemplifies wholeness.
“We are truly fortunate to have Lisett on our team,” a colleague said. “Her care and positivity make our unit a better place every day.”
Thank you for bringing your dedication to our team every day. Your efforts truly make a difference, and we’re so proud to celebrate you as Employee of the Month.
Renee consistently demonstrates trustworthiness, innovation, and a patient-first approach in all she does. Recently, she went above and beyond to ensure an ECF patient was able to get his PAT appointment rescheduled and keep his surgery on track, despite the facility not following through on arrangements. Renee made multiple calls, coordinated transportation, and stayed on top of the situation, ensuring the patient’s care was uninterrupted and timely.
Her dedication has a meaningful impact on patients and the team. By proactively managing challenges and navigating complex schedules, Renee ensures patients receive the care they need without unnecessary delays. Her positivity, diligence, and willingness to help daily make her a dependable and invaluable teammate.
Renee’s work reflects our core values: excellence in her careful coordination, wholeness in prioritizing patient well-being, and collaboration through seamless teamwork.
“Renee is delightful to work with. She’s a treasure, and I appreciate her more than you know,” a colleague said. “She tirelessly ensures patients are at the center of the care we provide and makes working alongside her a pleasure.”
A heartfelt congratulations to Renee for being named Employee of the Month. Your commitment makes our workplace brighter every day, and we’re so grateful for all that you do.