Honoring Excellence in Performance in 2025
- Category: System Happenings, Careers
- Posted On:
Valley Health Team Members Go Above and Beyond
Each year, Valley Health recognizes and celebrates team members who go above and beyond in exhibiting our core values of courage, collaboration, integrity, innovation, compassion, and excellence. These individuals contribute profoundly to the success of Valley Health, and we couldn’t deliver patient-centered, quality care without them.
Courage and Overall Excellence
The Courage award goes to caregivers who have strength and conviction to always do the right thing and ensure an environment where others feel welcome to share opportunities for improvement. The overall Excellence award recognizes those who are committed to exceed expectations and achieve superior performance in everything they do.
Keith B. – Supervisor, Plant Services – War Memorial Hospital
Joe D. – Tradesman, Plant Services – War Memorial Hospital
Greg U. - Zone Mechanic, Plant Services – War Memorial Hospital
Greg H. - Nursing Supervisor – War Memorial Hospital
On April 19, a devastating storm came through Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, forcing numerous downed trees and power poles across the road. Keith, supervisor of Plant Services, found a location to park and headed into the hospital on foot. Even though it was dark and dangerous, he walked the entire way to the hospital to help.
It was Easter weekend and resources were limited. The facilities team volunteered to come to work by foot in the morning and set up a pick-up location for staff and families. They used an ATV to pick up employees and bring them into work in shifts. They also delivered the staff who were leaving in the morning. Power lines were still down everywhere, and the team had to drive through yards to go around the damage. Greg H., nursing supervisor, was constantly on the phone with the command center, patients, employees, alert system, and Administrator on Call. He called many employees to help them arrange pick-up.
Without these four men, it would have been a completely different outcome that day. They all remained calm during this very stressful time, and they safely cared for our caregiver team and patients.
Collaboration
This award recognizes a caregiver who values the input and effort of every person involved with the care and service provided to our community.
Jessica S. - Manager, Behavioral Health Integration – Winchester Medical Center
Jessica’s impact is reflected in her work with a patient who was unhoused and who had presented at the Winchester Medical Center Emergency Department (ED) 22 times in just three months. The patient had schizoaffective disorder. Encounters with him were frequently challenging, requiring immense patience, consistency, and skill. On visits to the ED, he would ask for Jessica, seeking out her calm, grounding presence.
Jessica approached the patient calmly and with compassion, earning his trust over time. This past January, she collaborated closely with our community paramedic, law enforcement, and Northwestern Community Services Board clinicians to advocate for a long-term, sustainable solution for the patient. Eventually, through her persistence and coordination, the patient transitioned to a group home setting where he now lives safely and with support.
Integrity
This award goes to a caregiver or caregivers who inspire trust and confidence and take responsibility for the impact of their work.
Mary Ann O. - Manager, Nurse Navigation, RN – Valley Partners
Karin V. - Population Health Community Health Worker – Valley Partners
Kaitlyn G. - Advanced Practice Clinician - Winchester Family Practice
A patient had a history of frequently coming to the Emergency Department for medical, mental, and social support. Despite numerous challenges, the woman’s dedicated care team—made up of Karin, a Community Health Worker; Mary Ann, who leads the Valley Health Complex Care Coordination Team; and Kaitlyn, a primary care provider at Winchester Family Practice—demonstrated extraordinary compassion and commitment to understanding her story.
Karin, in partnership with Kaitlyn, spent countless hours working through paperwork to reinstate disability support, exploring both short- and long-term options for the woman’s future. The team also successfully reengaged her estranged family. Although the woman continues to struggle with past trauma, her Valley Health team and newly engaged family are helping the woman see a more hopeful future.
Innovation
This award recognizes a caregiver who uses creativity, problem solving, and an openness to new ideas to improve care and performance at Valley Health.
Rachael L.- Cardiac Cath Lab Tech IV – Warren Memorial Hospital
Rachael L. played an instrumental role in establishing Warren Memorial’s vascular service line. She collaborated with Winchester Medical Center to develop and implement a training schedule for the hospital’s Cath Lab staff. This initiative was vital in ensuring the team was well prepared and aligned with best practices, ultimately enhancing patient care.
Rachael also helped Warren Memorial achieve chest pain accreditation. She worked directly with WMH Surgical Services leadership and the accreditation company. She invested many hours tracking down accreditation data, coordinating with the Emergency Department to obtain necessary information, and uploading everything into the accreditation portal. Her attention to detail and persistence were key in meeting all accreditation requirements.
Compassion
This award goes to a caregiver who communicates with warmth and kindness and embraces diversity and the value of each person.
Tina C. – EMT - Page Memorial Hospital
Tina is a skilled and compassionate EMT and has worked in this role for over 30 years. Born and raised in Page County, Tina often greets patients as “family,” knowing them from her years living in Luray.
On one occasion, a 30-year-old single mother with a history of anxiety and depression presented to the Page Memorial Hospital ED with suicidal ideation. The patient had a history of addiction with alcohol, opioids and cannabis. The patient stated she had feelings of worthlessness and had attempted to take her life. She was taken to the ED by law enforcement, treated, and then transferred for psychiatric evaluation.
The patient credits Tina for saving her life.
“… I came into the ER six months ago after trying to kill myself. Tina was amazing and spent time with me. She talked to me, and she listened! She made me feel better. She made me feel like I had hope; a reason to stay here. I have two children ages 10 and 5. They have never known a sober mother until now. I am now 253 days sober and am loving my life. My children get to see a happy, healthy mom for the first time. They have not had that until now. I want you all to know what you do there. You are angels on this earth, and I can never thank you enough, especially Tina.”