We make a difference in our communities because of our outstanding people. And in September, 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 September 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!
In critical moments, the difference between fear and hope often comes down to one calm, steady presence. For the acute therapy team, that presence is Dennis.
Dennis serves as the department’s point person for CPR, teaching certification classes to his colleagues and equipping them with lifesaving skills. Recently, while working with a patient who became unresponsive, Dennis immediately put his training into action. With composure and focus, he administered CPR and successfully regained the patient’s vital signs, stabilizing them for transfer to the ICU.
What stands out just as much as his quick action is the way he leads by example. Nurses on the floor shared, “We could not have done it without him.” His calm presence not only supported the patient but reassured everyone involved in the emergency, creating confidence in an otherwise overwhelming situation.
Dennis embodies Excellence in his expertise, his ability to guide his team during emergencies, and his willingness to share knowledge that empowers others.
Congratulations, Dennis, on being named Employee of the Month! Your dedication has a ripple effect, and you make a life-changing difference for patients and colleagues alike.
Sometimes extraordinary care goes beyond medicine, and Kari showed just what that looks like.
A patient came into the Kettering Health Greene Memorial ER with her 5-year-old child. She was new to the area with little support. Recognizing the unique challenge, Kari immediately began researching safe options for the child’s care and escalated her concerns to leadership. When the patient needed to be transferred to another facility, Kari went a step further: she called her husband, Don, who personally delivered a booster seat so the child could travel safely in the ambulance.
All the while, Kari continued her responsibilities as charge nurse, supporting both the patient and her team without missing a beat. Her actions reflect our values of Wholeness and Excellence in caring for the well-being of both patient and child by finding safe solutions.
“Kari went above and beyond to make sure both the patient and her child were safe and supported. She truly embodies what it means to care,” shared a colleague.
Kari, thank you for leading with compassion and creativity. You remind us of what it means to take a holistic approach to care. Congratulations!
We are excited to recognize Katelyn as our Employee of the Month!
Katelyn is known for consistently going above and beyond, stepping in wherever she’s needed to ensure patients and peers feel supported. Most recently, she volunteered her time to help Unit 1 swap out old beds for new ones, a task well outside her normal responsibilities. Her willingness to help made the process more efficient and, most importantly, ensured patient safety.
Katelyn’s dedication shows up in the small moments, too. Whether carrying a lunch tray, assisting a patient out of bed, or lending a hand to coworkers, she never walks by a need without responding. She leads with integrity, compassion, and initiative, setting an example of what exceptional care looks like. Beyond her daily contributions, she eagerly learns new aspects of the respiratory department and is often the first to volunteer for new projects or to train incoming employees.
Katelyn’s actions embody Excellence in her work, Leadership in her initiative, and Belonging in her unwavering support of patients and peers.
Congratulations, Katelyn! Thank you for your dedication, compassion, and teamwork. You make a meaningful difference every day, and we are so grateful to have you on our team.
Kristin exemplifies what it means to be a compassionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated nurse. Her commitment to patient care shines in every interaction. Kristin always takes the time to explain treatments thoroughly, ensuring patients feel safe, informed, and respected. Her attention to detail and genuine empathy create a comforting environment, turning every bedside moment into one of trust and reassurance.
Beyond her exceptional patient care, Kristin serves as both a charge nurse and preceptor, roles where her Leadership and Excellence stand out. She leads with clarity and patience, guiding new hires and students to not only learn the “how” of nursing but also to understand the “why” behind each action. By investing in others, Kristin helps build confidence and a culture of learning that strengthens the entire team.
Congratulations, Kristin, on being named Employee of the Month! Your outstanding contributions, your leadership, and the heart you bring to every role truly make a lasting difference here at Kettering Health.
We are extremely proud to recognize Kyle Lipscomb for his extraordinary calm and decisive action during a life-threatening emergency at a National Trail baseball game. When a visiting team’s bus driver suffered a cardiac event, Kyle quickly retrieved and administered an automated external defibrillator (AED), helping the patient regain consciousness before EMS arrived.
Kyle’s response reflects Excellence in emergency preparedness and Leadership in guiding others in such a critical moment. His training, composure, and quick thinking made all the difference in what could have been a tragic outcome.
As the patient said, “God put me in the right place at the right time in the hands of the right people. I wouldn’t be here today without them.”
Congratulations, Kyle! Thank you for your courage and dedication, and for bringing the care and values of Kettering Health into the community in such a meaningful way.
For more than 45 years, Nila has been a steady and compassionate presence in our network. Nila is always ready to go the extra mile for those in her care. Recently, she demonstrated once again how deeply she values the well-being of others when she assisted an injured employee who needed follow-up treatment.
Faced with a language barrier, Nila patiently worked with the employee and manager to arrange care at Concentra. She didn’t stop there, wanting to ensure the employee could get to their appointment safely, Nila went above and beyond by researching bus routes and even suggesting alternative options like rideshare services. Her thoughtful actions turned what could have been a stressful, uncertain situation into one of reassurance and support.
Nila’s commitment embodies Wholeness in caring for employees with integrity, Excellence in finding solutions, and Belonging in ensuring everyone feels supported and valued. Her calm, gracious spirit and unwavering dedication continue to inspire her coworkers and strengthen our community.
Congratulations, Nila! Thank you for your decades of service, your kindness, and your steadfast commitment to caring for others.
When you meet Nicole, the first thing you notice is her calm presence and warm smile, a steady source of encouragement for both patients and peers. What truly sets her apart, though, is how she consistently steps up to create meaningful change and connection.
As chair of KHBMC’s Safety Committee, Nicole has taken on the challenge of identifying and addressing safety hazards for patients and staff, always approaching each situation with positivity and problem-solving. Beyond her leadership on the unit, she organized a team-building outing at a Dayton Dragons game on her own time, helping colleagues strengthen relationships outside of work. On night shift, she checks in with peers to be sure they feel seen, supported, and valued.
Nicole embodies our value of Excellence in her commitment to safety, guiding her team, and fostering community. As one colleague shared, “Nicole leads by example with kindness and dedication. She makes everyone around her feel supported and motivated.”
Congratulations, Nicole, on being Employee of the Month! Thank you for the many ways you care, connect, and lead with heart.
The greatest acts of care happen in the quiet, tender moments that not many others see. Sarah recently showed just what compassionate service looks like when a senior patient experienced an accident in the lobby.
Without hesitation, Sarah acted quickly to protect the patient’s dignity. She discreetly escorted her to the restroom, helped her get cleaned up, and reassured her that there was no reason to feel embarrassed. Sarah went even further by sanitizing the space, placing the patient in a clean gown, and then going to her own home to bring back fresh clothing so the patient could return home with comfort and confidence.
Sarah’s actions reflect our values of Wholeness in her care for the patient’s well-being and Belonging in making her feel safe and accepted. Sarah went above and beyond to meet her patient’s needs. She transformed what could have been a deeply humiliating experience into one of compassion, dignity, and healing.
As one colleague shared, “It inspires me to want to show the same level of compassion and acceptance to others as Sarah did that day.”
Congratulations, Sarah, on being recognized as Employee of the Month! Thank you for leading with heart and reminding us all of the power of kindness in healing.
Tuta has made a lasting impact at Kettering College through her vision, leadership, and dedication. As Chair of the Collegiate Life Committee, she spearheaded Cultural Diversity Day, creating a new tradition that celebrates the richness of our community. What started as a few speakers has grown into an annual event with presentations, breakout sessions, and incredible cultural foods, many of which are prepared or coordinated by Tuta herself.
Her leadership doesn’t stop there. Tuta also launched the college-wide Service Day, now in its fifth year, and helped implement the onboarding process for new faculty and staff. In the classroom and as an advisor, she balances high standards with creativity, making learning meaningful and fun while always keeping students’ best interests at heart.
As one colleague shared, “While she is being celebrated this month, this is Tuta every day.”
Congratulations, Tuta! Thank you for your vision, energy, and leadership. You make Kettering College stronger and more connected every day.
