Blue Hill Memorial Hospital held a special celebration on Wednesday, October 7, to recognize the contributions of 30 employees who have been with the organization for at least five and up to 40 years.   The event also recognized volunteers, including trustees, who devote many hours of service to their community hospital.

 

 

While Interim CEO, Erik Steele, DO recognized more than 30 employees by name, he was also quick to recognize the dedication and teamwork of the entire staff.  “I’ve worked in many hospitals, and the family atmosphere at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital is unique.  I am proud to be associated with everyone here.”  Steele also thanked employees for extraordinary sacrifices and hard work in recent months.  “Everyone here has gone above and beyond in tough times, and deserves recognition.”

 

 

Many hospital departments were represented, including patient accounts, employee education, dietary services, the emergency department, diagnostic imaging, primary care (nursing), information systems, health information management, registration, laboratory, rehabilitation, surgery, orthopedics and materials management.  In addition, employees from three of the hospital’s four primary care practices were recognized for their long-term commitment to caring for members of the community. 

 

 

Sandra Smallidge, emergency department nurse manager, prepared a written commendation to recognize Barbara Allen, RN for her more than 40 years of service in Blue Hill.  Smallidge explained, “Barbara is always willing to help out other staff if needed,” and lauded Allen’s “positive outlook, calmness, and wisdom.” 

 

 

After describing her experiences in several departments within the hospital, Allen responded, “The rest is history – great things happened – we grew and grew.  Bonds were made with other co-workers.  We experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We laughed together and we cried together and we always tried to be there for each other and to do our best for our patients, their families and this community.”

 

 

The hospital’s Employee of the Year, Zoe Tenney, FNP and its Annual Rave Review winner, John Cole, FNP were also recognized.  Both employees work for the hospital’s primary care practices, in Blue Hill and Castine, respectively.

 

 

5 Years of Service

 

Kelly Chambers, Blue Hill Family Medicine

 

Emmi Gray, Patient Accounting

 

Sonia Groesbeck, Employee Education

 

Barbara Haskell, Dietary Department

 

Leah Hussin Emergency Department

 

Brenda Merritt, Island Family Medicine

 

Meredith Norris, DO, Blue Hill Family Medicine/Emergency Department

 

Suzanne Sargent, Patient Accounts

 

Richard Seger  MD, Diagnostic Imaging

 

Roberta Shorey, Dietary

 

 

10 Years of Service

 

Tiffany Eaton, Primary Care (Nursing)

 

Rebecca Gray, Blue Hill Orthopedics

 

Robin Huff, MD, Island Family Medicine

 

Jesse Larrabee, Revenue Cycle/Information Systems

 

Dana Morey, Island Family Medicine

 

Mary Nurko, Registration/Communication

 

Carolyn Rourke, Health Information Management

 

Robert Tredwell, Information Systems

 

Barbara Varnum, Blue Hill Family Medicine

 

 

15 Years of Service

 

April Chapman, Blue Hill Family Medicine

 

 

20 Years of Service

 

Patricia Downs, Laboratory

 

Daphne Hinchcliffe Rehabilitation Services

 

Dianna Paine Castine Community Health Services

 

Deborah Stubbs, Primary Care

 

 

25 Years of Service

 

Irene Babson, Surgical Services

 

 

30 Years of Service

 

Marla Atherton, Materials Management

 

Sandra Eaton, Island Family Medicine

 

Marge Varnum, Emergency Department

 

 

35 Years of Service

 

Belinda O’Brien, Emergency Department

 

 

40 Years of Service

 

Barbara Allen, Emergency Department