RANDOLPH, Vt., February 25, 2025—Gifford Health Care recognized four employees with awards that celebrate and honor the talented team that provides excellent patient care in clinical and non-clinical roles.
Gifford expanded on and encompassed the principles of the national DAISY nursing award program for its Employee Recognition Awards. Its Selection Committee received more than 30 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.
“Something uniquely inspired each of you to care for others. We are celebrating each of you and your desire to care for each other and the community. There are a million mission moments that connect you to your purpose. While this is ordinary at Gifford, it is extraordinary in the world,” said Gifford’s President and CEO Michael Costa. “Today we are taking the time to celebrate the amazing work each of you do every day. Gifford matters. The care you provide matters. You and your teammates matter. Thank you.”
The awardees are:
The DAISY Award: Susan Therrien, RN, Addiction Medicine —nominated by a patient who shared, “Susan has looked out for me through the last decade, ensuring I had the support I desperately needed at the start of my journey. I wouldn’t be a successful productive member of society if it weren’t for Susan believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Caring for me more than I cared for myself and guiding me through the darkest of times. She has watched my kids grow along side of me in recovery. I have followed Susan through three or four different providers, yet she has remained constant. A friendly face, a caring soul. I would recognize Susan for all three awards but one will have to do!”
The HIVE Award: Dr. Doug Weiss, Orthopedist—nominated by Hillary McAllister-Bove, “Our two-year-old daughter had a nursemaid elbow event after falling from the balance beam on the playground. After a trip to the ER, then Pediatrics the next morning, our daughter wanted to go home. We were recommended to go see Dr. Weiss in Sharon. Immediately, he was very exceptional. He shook mom and dad’s hand then wanted to meet our daughter’s stuffed animal. Finally, after trust building, he introduced himself to our daughter. His clinical approach was patient as if we were his only appointment that day. Calm energy, saw the person, understood the assignment. A week later our daughter had a follow up. We were thinking she would be very resistant to all things hospital. Rather she and Dr. Weiss were high fiving (to test the arm), talking about stickers and showing her how cool her arm looks in an x-ray. Next time I hurt my bones, I’ll make the trip to see Dr. Weiss – he has the best bedside manner I have seen in a long time.”
The BEE Award/Non-Clinical: Adam Salls, Skilled Maintenance, Facilities —nominated by Hospitalist Michelle Wade, APRN, who wrote in her nomination, “Adam is one of Gifford’s backbones in the Facilities department. He always has a smile on his face. He greets everyone by name and always asks how they are doing and what he can do for them. He has been a rock in stressful times in healthcare, never wavering in his kindness and always one step ahead of anything you may need. Day, evening, or the middle of the night, he is there, when he is on call and answers his pager, it is always with a cheer in his voice. There have been several situations that I could call out over the years, but this nomination is more about the fact that Adam is a rock-positive presence on campus in a stressful environment. The staff in his department is often overlooked because they are the ‘behind the scenes’ crew that keeps Gifford running; it may be the heat, the AC, the elevator, the helicopter pads needs shoveling or a walkway, or an office needs rearranging. Still, it is always addressed in no time flat and with a smile on his face. I nominate Adam for his “beeing” exceptional every day.”
The BEE Award/Clinical: Stevie De, LNA Med / Surg —nominated by Marie Graham, RN, nurse supervisor who wrote in the nomination, “This evening there was an inpatient having a very difficult time. Stevie built a rapport with this patient the night prior. At one point, the patient had locked himself in the bathroom and would only talk with Stevie. Stevie spent more than an hour sitting with the patient on the bathroom floor helping him through what was going on. Stevie then worked with the patient on developing strategies to help him cope when he would begin to struggle. He then wrote the plan down and hung it up in the room for the patient to see and met with the nursing team, and discussed the plan that they had created. Not only did Stevie go above and beyond to make this patient feel safe and heard, he went above and beyond to develop a plan of care that the team could use to also help the patient.”
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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