We are so thankful for all of our team members. Each day they live out our ministry’s mission and values by going above and beyond for our patients and communities. Their compassion and determination does not go unnoticed, especially this year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, we specifically want to congratulate the Ohio Hospital Association’s 2020 Health Care Worker of the Year Awards nominees and finalist from Mercy Health. Thank you to finalist Shawna Straub and nominees Brittany Glover, Christopher Williams, Sr. Sharon Wiedmar, Linsey Paul, Karen Wood, Clarence Smith, Catherine Woskobnick and OraLee Macklenar for all your hard work and dedication. Read their full bios below.
Shawna Straub, RN, BSN, cEFM
Manager of Nursing, Family Birthing Center at Mercy Health – Anderson Hospital
Shawna Straub, nurse manager of the Family Birthing Center, is a true servant leader who models our core values while supporting her team to treat patients to the best of their ability. She is instrumental in many initiatives at the local, regional and national level to improve the health of moms and babies. Shawna’s achievements include the 2018 Nurse Exemplar Transformational Leadership Award as well as the Daisy Award. She is also responsible for growing Anderson Hospital’s Family Birthing Center’s partnership with Harleys Against Heroin, a non-profit organization that raises funds to help care for babies with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
Brittany Glover, RT (R), MHS
Director of Imaging and Transport at Mercy Health – Clermont Hospital
Brittany Glover has a compassionate and caring heart. She consistently goes out of her way to make sure patients have the best care available to them at multiple facilities. Brittany assisted the growth of one of our locations by improving imaging capabilities and helped open a new outpatient building dedicated women’s imaging. Brittany is instrumental in boosting team morale, not only in the imaging department she leads, but also across many of our sites on the East Side of Cincinnati. She does this by spearheading employee engagement campaigns in these buildings.
Christopher Williams, BS
Director, Pharmacy at Mercy Health – Defiance Hospital
Christopher Williams does not hesitate to go the extra mile in everything that he does for his patients, friends and family. He oversees the pharmacy operations in medication management for the outpatient clinic, infusion clinic, and an outpatient coumadin clinic. He makes sure his team is providing safe oncology treatment and inpatient care. Team members know they can always count on Christopher for help no matter the time of day or night. In addition to serving the Defiance community, he serves internationally by taking mission trips to Haiti to help care for the poor, dying and under-served.
Sr. Sharon Wiedmar, RSM
Director of Mission and Volunteers at Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital
Sr. Sharon Wiedmar is a valued member of the senior leadership team at Mercy Health – Fairfield Hospital. She is active in the development and execution of regional and market strategy while emphasizing the importance of integrating the mission into day-to-day operations. She leads by example, comforting patients and families who experience loss or a team member who faces challenges. Sharon is also active in the community. She revitalized the hospital’s auxiliary and volunteer teams by 50%. Above all, she ensures the organization adheres strictly to the mission of extending the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of the communities and bringing good help to those in need.
Linsey Paul, RN, BSN
Clinical Nurse Manager, ED at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center
Linsey Paul makes sure that everyone who needs her care feels as loved and supported, just as she did after a traumatic accident when she was 9 years old. Linsey is having a stellar start to her leadership career. In her first year as a manager, she led her team to improve patient experience scores by 6%, which is well above the industry-norm. She truly lives out our ministry’s mission. Her mantra she instills in her team is, “it is our privilege to care for whomever comes through our doors.” Lindsey is also a leader on the Human Trafficking Collaborative. In the community, she serves as a coach and a United Way volunteer.
Karen Wood
Cashier at Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital
In Karen Wood’s 40 years working in health care, she is recognized as an expert in both patient registration and billing services. Karen shows compassion to every patient and person she encounters. After tragically losing her son two years ago, her desire to make an impact in other’s lives drives passion today. In remembrance of him, Karen and her family created BE KIND; LIFE MATTERS cards for paying forward acts of kindness. Karen also volunteers her time, treasure and talents to community organizations.
Clarence Smith
Custodian/Courier at Mercy Health – Willard Hospital
Clarence Smith is a humble employee who is committed to the care and support of others. He is always willing to change shifts, roles and assignments to ensure that the needs of patients are met. For example, Clarence recently volunteered to change from his housekeeping position to a courier role to help support a teammate on medical leave. He described one of his humblest accomplishments in a nursing aide role when he would stay by the bedside of patients in their final hours. Aside from his responsibilities at the hospital, Clarence and his wife foster children with special needs and are currently completing an adoption.
Catherine Woskobnick
Director, Community Outreach at Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital
Catherine Woskobnick has a strong passion for our ministry’s mission. She most notably organizes and facilitates the Rising Star Program, which mentors at risk youth through health care career exploration, volunteering and leadership skill building. Also, she received county-wide recognition for her important work with the Resource Mother’s program, which was cited by the Lorain County Health Department as a key contributor in the decline of infant mortality of African American babies. Catherine also serves her community through our Parish Nursing Program, which provides health screenings to over 12,000 people annually.
OraLee Macklenar, LISW
Supervisor, Social Services at Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center & Mercy Health – Children’s Hospital
OraLee Macklenar was instrumental in developing and operating the Trauma Recovery Center at Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center. This center which provides services to underserved children and adults of violent crime. At both hospitals, she supports the personal and professional growth of the team members, encouraging them to make connections throughout the community by participating in coalitions and boards that support victims of violence. OraLee is also involved in community organizations such as the Midwest Trauma Recovery Center Alliance, Celebrate Recovery and Great Lakes Groups Human Trafficking Committee.
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