RANDOLPH, Vt.—This month, Gifford Health Care recognized four employees with awards that celebrate and honor not only excellence in clinical care but also compassion.
Gifford expanded on and encompassed the principles of the national DAISY nursing award program for its 2024 Employee Recognition Awards. Its Selection Committee received more than 70 nominations from across the organization for four awards: the DAISY Award, recognizing exceptional nurses; two BEE—Be Exceptional Everyday—Awards, one clinical and one non-clinical award; and a HIVE Award (Healthcare providers Impacting the lives of Vulnerable people Every day), awarded to physicians and advanced practice providers.
“We are reminded daily of how special our team is and of the positive difference they make through their compassionate service and care, not only in their patients’ lives, and for their families, but also in the lives of their colleagues,” said Gifford President and CEO Dan Bennett. “It was challenging for our Selection Committee to choose just one winner in each category, given that there are so many amazing individuals at Gifford who impact people’s lives every day. Congratulations to our awardees and all who were nominated. They pour their heart and soul into Gifford’s mission, and we are grateful.”
Pictured from left: Matthew Shangraw, Erica Schleif, Julia Cook, Thomas Davidson, Dan Bennett
The awardees are:
The DAISY Award: Matthew Shangraw, RN, Emergency Department—nominated by Kayla Thompson, RN, who as a nursing student found herself in the ED with “anxiety and stress levels through the roof, and I had chest palpitations.” In her nomination, Thompson wrote, “Matt reminded me of my strengths and capabilities. Had me talk to him about what I had already accomplished as a student. What he did this day was powerful and inspirational, as I will be an RN soon. He showed compassion and understanding during a busy time in his shift. He reminded me that anything is possible if you keep trying. Gifford Medical Center is so lucky to have him, as is our community. Thank you, Matt. I’m five weeks from graduating with my associate of science degree in nursing, and you will always be a part of my story.”
The HIVE Award: Erica Schleif, LCMHC, Behavioral Health—nominated by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joshua White, who wrote in his nomination, “Erica has been instrumental in supporting the staff here at Gifford for a number of years. She rose to a leadership position and has built and manages what is now one of the larger and most vigorous divisions of care that Gifford provides. She has chaired the provider team working on the burnout problem so prevalent in health care. She has led and personally served the project, providing ‘off the books’ counseling to staff struggling with the challenges of the health care environment at this time, as well as the difficult environment in our culture at large. … She is available for staff in crisis at a moment’s notice, dropping whatever she is doing and being available for them in time of need. Our staff lean on Erica. Whenever. Wherever. She is a treasure to Gifford.”
The BEE Award/Non-Clinical: Thomas Davidson, Nutrition & Food Services—nominated by William Turinetti, MA, who wrote in his nomination, “He always goes above and beyond for all patients. He is constantly providing caring effort to the meals and drinks he offers to the patients on the inpatient floor. He always has a smile on his face and ensures he gets patients what they would like. If they do not feel like anything we have to offer that day, he will sit with them for a moment and chat to see if he can make a special selection to get some nutrition into them. He makes each patient feel cared for. While in the hospital, sometimes the comfort of a warm glass of tea or meal of comfort is just what you need, and Thomas ensures that patients receive this when he is here. Thomas is always smiling and pleasant with staff. He is so appreciated by Howell Pavilion staff and patients.”
The BEE Award/Clinical: Julia Cook, CNM—nominated by Jennifer Celley, who wrote in her nomination, “I was a surrogate carrying a baby for another couple. Julia Cook saved my life and the life of the infant. Eighteen hours into labor I had a cord prolapse. This means the baby’s cord came through my cervix and every contraction cut off the flow of blood to the baby. I felt a change in my labor and I told Julia that something felt wrong, and Julia listened to me and found the prolapsed cord. Her quick thinking kept the baby’s head off my cervix and her cord, which allowed the baby to get the important blood supply she needed to survive. My labor ended in an emergency C-section and Julia was there every step of the way for myself and my worried husband. I am a longtime Gifford employee, and the emotion, love and support from Julia was heartwarming and helped ease me during one of the scariest times of my life. Julia is family, and she is my hero. She went above and beyond with her care of myself and my family. I thank her for her quick thinking and her incredible knowledge of how to act quickly in a stressful situation. I can never repay Julia for what she did for me.”
For more information about Gifford’s Employee Recognition Awards, or to nominate a Gifford employee, visit giffordhealthcare.org/patients/recognize-an-employee.
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Gifford is a community hospital in Randolph, Vt., with family health centers in Berlin, Bethel, Chelsea, Randolph, and Rochester, and specialty services throughout central Vermont. A Federally Qualified Health Center and a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the country, Gifford is a full-service hospital with a 24-hour emergency department and inpatient unit; many surgical services; an adult day program; 49-unit independent living facility, and a nursing home. The hospital’s mission is to improve individual and community health by providing and assuring access to affordable, high-quality health care in Gifford’s service area.
