Wesley Medical Center Names Karen Sullivan Employee of the Year
12/1/2012
Managers of the Year Sandy Johnson and Robert Volentine also Honored
Wesley Medical Center proudly names Karen “Kay” Sullivan as the 2012 recipient of the Margaret LaFon Employee of the Year Award. Sullivan is a pharmacist who has devoted 25 years of service to Wesley. She serves as a mentor to employees in the pharmacy and is especially dedicated to ensuring patient safety.
“Kay Sullivan stands out as a servant-leader whose tireless devotion to the Wesley Medical Center staff and patients is highly commendable,” said Wesley Pharmacy Director, Pam Graham. “Kay is responsive to the needs of our patients and staff, to the point of being very proactive. She communicates with the physicians and staff to ensure the most complex medication regimen is simplified and everyone is on the same page.”
In the summer of 2012, the Board of Trustees of Wesley Medical Center inaugurated the Margaret LaFon Employee of the Year Award to be presented annually to an employee as recognition for their outstanding work and service in honor of the late Margaret LaFon, who served as a registered nurse for Wesley Medical Center for over 25 years. LaFon served as a leader and mentor in the field of nursing. In tribute to the influence of her life’s work, the Margaret LaFon Employee of the Year Award will be given annually, to a Wesley Medical Center employee who demonstrates honesty, enthusiasm, compassion and personal integrity in their work. Kay Sullivan is the inaugural recipient.
Wesley Medical Center also names Clinical Manager of the Year, Sandy Johnson, and Non-Clinical Manager of the Year, Robert Volentine.
Johnson, Director of Critical Care, has been with Wesley Medical Center since 1990. She serves as a member of the newly developed Community Emergency Management Operations task force, numerous hospital core groups and was a member of both Wesley’s Chest Pain Center accreditation team and Heart Failure accreditation team.
“Throughout this year, we’ve undertaken many large nursing projects and Sandy has been instrumental in assisting and managing all of these,” said Chief Nursing Officer, Phebe McKay. “I am grateful to have someone like Sandy working with me. Consistency and follow through are her best traits.”
Volentine, Director of IT, joined Wesley in 2011. He is a Master Sargent in the Louisiana National Guard and has been activated in support of Emergency Operations personnel to provide satellite communications during hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Isaac.
“Robert does a great job in leading by example in his department,” said Chief Operating Officer Travis Sisson. “One way that Robert demonstrates this is his willingness to go to a physician that is having trouble and personally assist them. He’s very comfortable going to a nursing unit or physician office and taking the time to ensure our physicians have what they need to care for our patients.”
Each year, Wesley names a clinical and non-clinical manager of the year based on the demonstration of extraordinary dedication to their work. Also during this time, one employee is recognized as employee of the year for exemplary service and dedication to their field. Employees are nominated by their supervising directors and the hospital’s senior staff determines winners based on those nominations.
For more information on the services offered at Wesley Medical Center, please call 601-268-8000.
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