Building a new program takes dedication, teamwork and a willingness to step up wherever help is needed. Lisa has demonstrated all three through her contributions to the launch of the Maternal Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).

Lisa has invested significant time and hard work into getting the new program up and running, helping create a strong foundation for a service that supports mothers experiencing mental health challenges. Beyond her work on the program itself, she has also stayed late on multiple occasions to ensure the team remained covered.

Her flexibility and willingness to step in have helped maintain consistent support for patients while easing the pressure on her colleagues and leadership. These thoughtful actions reflect the kind of teamwork that strengthens a department and allows everyone to better serve those who depend on them.

Lisa exemplifies our values of Belonging, Wholeness, and Excellence through her commitment to her team, her care for others, and her dedication to making the new program successful.

Thank you, Lisa, for the time, heart, and hard work you have poured into this important initiative. Congratulations on being recognized for your Excellence in Action.

In moments when a child needs the world to feel a little less frightening, sometimes the most meaningful care comes from a gentle touch and a reassuring voice.

Sgt. Allison Saurber demonstrated extraordinary compassion while supporting a critically injured little girl brought to the emergency department with signs of suspected abuse. As medical staff worked urgently to stabilize the child, Sgt. Saurber recognized that she needed more than medical treatment. She needed comfort and the reassurance that someone was there for her.

Throughout the urgent medical interventions, Sgt. Saurber stayed close, gently caressing the little girl’s head and speaking softly to her. Amid the unfamiliar faces, painful procedures and activity surrounding her, Allison offered a calm, loving presence during an incredibly frightening experience.

Even while facing a heartbreaking situation, Sgt. Saurber set aside her own emotions to focus on what the child needed most. Although she could not take away the little girl’s injuries or undo what had happened, she ensured the child did not have to face those moments without tenderness and human connection.

Her actions reflect Kettering Health’s values of Wholeness and Belonging, honoring the dignity of a vulnerable child and reminding us that compassionate care extends beyond medical treatment. Sometimes, being present is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference.

Thank you, Sgt. Saurber, for leading with empathy when it mattered most. Congratulations on this well-deserved Excellence in Action award.

Sometimes, helping a patient heal means caring about what matters most to them outside the hospital walls. For Stephanie Schroedel, that meant making sure a beloved cat was cared for so its owner could focus on getting better.

While caring for a stroke patient who urgently needed rehabilitation, Stephanie discovered that his biggest concern was not the recovery process itself, but who would care for his cat at home. Recognizing that this worry was keeping him from accepting the rehabilitation he needed, Stephanie stepped beyond her normal responsibilities and offered to care for the pet herself.

Throughout the patient’s rehabilitation stay, Stephanie regularly visited his home to provide food and fresh water, keeping him updated on his cat’s well-being. Her thoughtful actions gave him peace of mind and allowed him to focus on his recovery and progress toward returning home.

Stephanie’s actions exemplify our values of Wholeness, Belonging and Excellence in action. By recognizing the emotional concerns behind a patient’s hesitation, she showed that exceptional care means seeing the whole person, understanding what matters to them, and finding meaningful ways to help.

Thank you, Stephanie, for your remarkable dedication and for going above and beyond to make a difference in your patient’s life. Congratulations.

A simple act of kindness can remind someone facing a difficult season they are not alone. Mary brought that kind of reassurance to an expectant patient experiencing significant hardship by recognizing a need and taking action to help.

Rather than allowing the patient’s circumstances to remain outside the scope of her clinical care, Mary took the initiative to gather others and organize donations of essential items. Without being asked, she turned her concern into meaningful support, helping ease some of the uncertainty the patient was facing during a vulnerable time.

Mary’s efforts provided more than needed resources. They offered a reminder that the patient was seen, valued and cared for. By bringing others together, Mary helped create a moment of hope and dignity when it mattered most.

Her commitment to serving others extends beyond her work. Mary also gives back to her community through service with organizations such as Shoes for the Shoeless and  the Dayton Foodbank. Whether supporting patients or helping neighbors, she consistently demonstrates a genuine desire to make a difference.

Mary embodies the Kettering Health values of  Belonging, Wholeness and Leadership through her empathy, initiative and ability to inspire others to help. She reminds us that meaningful change often begins with one person who notices a need and chooses to respond.

Congratulations, Mary and thank you, for leading with compassion and making a lasting difference in the lives of others.

When a patient is in pain, even a few extra minutes can feel like a long time. Sara recognized an opportunity to help a patient and a fellow crew in a difficult moment, and she didn’t hesitate to step in.

While a paramedic crew was arriving at Kettering Health Dayton with a 650-pound patient experiencing significant back and side pain after a long transport from Springfield, the team faced an unexpected delay. The lift assist crew was running about 10 minutes late, leaving the paramedics needing additional help to safely get the patient inside and settled.

Sara, who was at the hospital on another run, noticed the crew struggling and immediately volunteered to assist. She helped transport the patient to his room and transfer him into bed, allowing him to get into a more comfortable position much sooner than he otherwise would have.

Her actions were a meaningful example of Belonging and Leadership in practice. Sara recognized that another team needed support, took initiative without being asked, and helped prioritize a patient’s comfort during a challenging situation.

Thank you, Sara, for your teamwork, quick response and willingness to lend a hand when it mattered. Congratulations on being this month’s Excellence in Action winner.

Tammy takes tremendous pride in her patient care, and it shows in the way she connects with those she serves. She will often take a patient because she has already built a connection with them or wants to maintain continuity in their care. Drawing on her own experiences with similar procedures, she helps patients feel more comfortable, informed and reassured throughout their time in the unit. She also remembers the little things that make a big difference, like giving patients birthday cards when their special day falls during their stay. Her goal is always to make patients feel valued, understood and genuinely cared for.

That same compassion extends to her coworkers. Over the past year, Tammy has become the unit’s cheerleader, giving teammates birthday gift bags, decorating the break room for special occasions and texting coworkers after hours to check on them. Most recently, she spent her day off organizing a New York-themed party to give everyone a reason to smile. She chose the theme because life can feel fast-paced and overwhelming, much like the unit itself, and she wanted to create a moment of fun and connection amid the busy days.

Tammy exemplifies Belonging, Wholeness and Leadership through the relationships she builds, the encouragement she offers and the positive environment she helps create. As her nominator shared, it is easy to take for granted the simple blessing of being able to smile at work because of amazing coworkers like Tammy.

Thank you, Tammy, for the compassion, joy and kindness you bring to your patients and teammates.

For Angie, caring for a patient meant not only helping him reach a safe discharge, but also making sure he had what he needed after leaving the hospital.

Throughout the patient’s hospitalization, Angie played a pivotal role in his care, remaining patient, calm and compassionate even during challenging moments. Her dedication helped him reach the point where he could safely transition to the next stage of his recovery.

But Angie’s commitment did not end when her shift was over. After the patient was discharged, she learned he had accidentally left his wheelchair behind. Rather than leaving the problem for someone else to solve, Angie took it upon herself to deliver the wheelchair to him at the facility where he was staying. Knowing that Cheez-Its were his favorite snack, she also brought him a box, adding a personal touch that made her gesture even more meaningful.

These thoughtful actions reflect our values of Wholeness, Excellence and Belonging. Angie recognized that supporting a patient means seeing beyond immediate medical needs and considering the comfort, dignity and well-being of the person as a whole. Her willingness to go the extra mile helped ensure the patient felt remembered and cared for, even after leaving the hospital.

Congratulations, Angie. Thank you, for bringing so much heart to your work and for reminding us that exceptional care often continues beyond our expected responsibilities.