The first to greet visitors to Administration, the September Employee of the Month, Donna A. Gandy, is quick with a smile and helping hand. The secretary to the assistant administrator, Gandy has been a member of the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority family since June 14, 2000.

 Ronnie Abrams celebrated his 10th anniversary as a Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital employee by being chosen as the August 2009 Employee of the Month. The Diagnostic Imaging Department employee has been a staff radiographer here since August 20, 1999.

A registered nurse, David Davidson is also fluent in "computerese", therefore, the switch to Management Information Systems was easy. An IT Clinical Programmer, the July Employee of the Month has been employed by the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority since September 12, 2005.

In June, Tombigbee Healthcare Authority employees selected registered nurse Jeremy Vaughan as their Employee of the Month. A Tombigbee Healthcare Authority employee since April 2006, Vaughan works in the Medical Intensive Care Unit.

For the past five years, May's Employee of the Month, Betty Jean (B.J.) Collins, has tended to the patients of Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital as a phlebotomist in the Laboratory Department.

A central supply clerk in the Material Services Department, April's Employee of the Month, Carolyn Nelson, has been an employee of Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital since June 1994.

With a shy smile and quiet efficiency, Ajean Buscato has worked as a laboratory technologist at BWWMH for the past five years. “I really enjoy working here,” she said. “It’s not easy to get hired in America.” Before joining the BWWMH staff, she had worked for eight years in her native Philippines. “As a foreigner, working here gives me the opportunity to serve your community and your country. “I was a little nervous about coming here at first, but that didn’t last long,” she said. “I like the area, and the people have been very friendly and helpful. Everyone in the hospital has been great.” She likes it so much, in fact, that she’s working diligently to obtain a permanent green card. If her selection as the March 2009 Employee of the Month is any indication, her coworkers are hoping she’ll be successful in that endeavor.

With well over 100 computers operating every day of the week, glitches are bound to pop up at the most inopportune times. That’s where Roger Hoggle, PC Tech, enters the picture. With years of experience tweaking the various computer systems that combine to form our information system’s backbone, Roger is one of those “go to” men who somehow manages to solve the problems that can leave the rest of us scratching our heads. He’s quick to respond to a call for help with a grin and a joke for everyone, all the while working quickly and efficiently to get the system back on line in no time. That’s why he was the perfect choice for THA’s January Employee of the Month.   

Taking care of her hometown is important to Registered Nurse Angie Hurt. “I like helping my friends, family and neighbors when they’re sick,” she said “I’m so happy to be able to pursue a career in a field I love, in a town that I love.” While she laughs that she became a nurse because her mother made her, Angie Hurt is quick to point out that she has stayed a nurse because she found a real joy in her job. That joy is evident in her cheerful personality when dealing with her patients and coworkers. She always finds a way to go above and beyond what’s required so that everyone feels as comfortable as possible. That trait hasn’t gone unnoticed by her coworkers who chose her as their December 2008 Employee of the Month!

Having a job where she gets to help people shop is just perfect for Beth Wright. “Working in the Gift Shop is simply a pleasure," she said. "I really do love my job!” Whether she’s helping a child pick out a gift for a new baby brother or sister, or taking a jewelry order for a new bride with her new monogram, Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital Gift Shop Clerk Beth Wright always has a smile on her face. "If someone comes in and I can help make them happy, that just makes me even happier," she said. For just under a year, Beth has helped the Auxiliary in the shop and says “the Auxiliary members are wonderful people. They’re a hardworking bunch and a joy to be around.” Her love of her customers and coworkers was rewarded in November when she was named the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority's Employee of the Month.  

Helping to make sure things run smoothly for her coworkers is Kathy Lewis’ way of aiding in keeping Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital running smoothly. "I try to keep them happy so that they can concentrate on keeping our patients healthy and happy," she said. “This helps us build a strong hospital and strong hospital helps make our community even stronger.” For 29 years, Kathy has seen to the needs of her coworkers. First as a unit secretary and, for the past 11 years, as the payroll clerk. “They’re like my second family,” she said, “It’s important that they not have to worry about anything but our patients. By working together, we’re better able to build a strong hospital.” Her coworkers definitely appreciate her efforts as they named her as their Employee of the Month for October 2008.

It’s only been a year and a half since Elmyra Lowe came to Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital, but to her, it already feels like home. “Had I known working here was this good, I’d have been here earlier,” she said. “My supervisors are great. I like the way they jump right in and help you. They take you step by step to help you learn.” With 18 years of experience as a nursing assistant, Elmyra Lowe says that her skills have grown tremendously since joining the BWWMH family. “I love the fact that I’ve learned a lot of new techniques and procedures since I’ve been here,” she said, “it’s a wonderful place to work.” That enthusiasm shines through in her work and attitude daily and hasn’t gone unnoticed by her coworkers who named her the September 2008 Employee of the Month. 

Helping her friends and family breathe easier is what motivates Certified Respiratory Therapist Christine Lloyd to do her best. “When you live in a small town, everyone ends up being family," she said. "I'm able to stay in my hometown, helping people I know. What better job could I possibly ask for?" She says that environmental changes, including increased smoking and pollution, are leading to a greater demand for respiratory therapy services. “I think respiratory therapy is a very important field,” she says. “If you can’t breathe, there’s not much else you can do.” Because of her dedication to her patients, as well as her friendly, helpful attitude toward her coworkers, Christine was honored in August as the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority Employee of the Month.

HealthStart clerk LaShandor Collins understands the importance of helping expectant moms get the care they need. "These babies are our future and it's so important that they get the best start possible," she said. “Helping make sure that babies get the prenatal care they need is great.” While she doesn’t work one-on-one with the mothers, LaShandor does help make sure that all the necessary paperwork is taken care of so that things go smoothly. “I love helping people and knowing that I’ve made a difference in someone’s life each day is just wonderful.” That spirit of giving extends to her coworkers as well. “They are a great group of people,” she says. They return her appreciation as she was recently named a Tombigbee Healthcare Authority Employee of the Month.

While most of those who enjoy the fruits of her labor never get a chance to see her, Ida Price does her best to bring a smile to their faces. “Having the opportunity to help our patients is a blessing to me," she said. " I love to bake for people. I especially like trying new ideas and bringing those to our customers." As a baker/cook in the Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital Dietary Services Department for the past three years, Ida has served up many delicious confections. “It makes me feel good to help make someone’s day a little better,” she said. “It’s important to share the gifts we’re given and my gifts happen to be in the kitchen.” Apparently her coworkers are very appreciative of her gifts as she was named June’s Employee of the Month.

Most people strive to find their calling in life. For the past dozen years, Melonee Coats has lived hers. “I love knowing that I’ve helped someone each day through my job," she said. "To me, it's an honor from God to be able to come here each morning, connect with our patients, and help them access care." As a clerk in the Outpatient Medical Center at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital, Melonee strives to do her best to make it easier for patients to receive the care they need. “No one wants to be sick or hurt,” she said, “and I want to make things easier for each patient who walks through that door.” She efficiently processes their paperwork with a smile and kind word, none of which have gone unnoticed by her coworkers who chose her as their May 2008 Employee of the Month.

Helping to make things go smoothly for the other Home Health employees is an honor for Deborah Bambarger. “I’ve been here 12 years and I couldn’t think of a better place to work," she said. “They work so hard to take care of our patients so I do my best to make things a little easier for them when possible.” As the Office Manager in the Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital Home Health Agency, Deborah is very proud of her coworkers. “It takes special people to go out and do what our nurses and home health aides do,” she said. “They go out of their way to do things for our patients.” Apparently that pride is a two-way street as Deborah was honored by being selected as the April Employee of the Month.

To Lesa Brister, having healthcare available right here at home is very important. “Our organization is vital to the well-being of our community,” she said. “It’s wonderful that our hospital provides so many different healthcare services to our community. I just can’t imagine what it would be like not to have healthcare this close to home,” she adds. Brister, who joined the Marengo Orthopaedics staff recently after working for a year and a half in Patient Accounting Services says she enjoys working in such a positive environment. “Everyone here is so friendly and seems to genuinely care about our patients.” Her coworkers recently honored her as the March 2008 Employee of the Month.

For Charlotte Crepps, every day presents a chance for her to seek joy in helping others. "I get up every morning and I'm excited that I can come in to work," she says. "Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital recognizes that people are our greatest asset and to me, this is just a great place to work," the Patient Accounting Services employee explains. "Everyone has a job to do and everyone works together. Our jobs fit together like a puzzle that, when all the pieces are in place, works to meet the needs of our patients." Always quick with a smile and kind word for patients, visitors and coworkers alike, Charlotte first joined the staff at BWWMH in 1993. While she pursued other interests for a brief period in 2000, rejoining the staff here was "just the perfect thing for me to do." Apparently, her coworkers think so, too, as they named her the February 2008 Employee of the Month.

To Loudella McIntosh, working at Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital is just like hanging out at home in the kitchen with her friends as they try new recipes. "I love working here. I get to learn something new almost every day," she said. "My coworkers are great. Since I joined the staff, I just fight right into the crowd. They've always made me welcome." With a couple of years on the job in the kitchen at BWWMH, Loudella has grown to love her job, her coworkers, and the people they serve. “I like cooking for our patients,” she said. “I especially like helping out with the special catering events we have.” That sense of family and joy she radiates is returned by her coworkers who voted her the January 2008 Employee of the Month.

Vickie Sharpe says that she’s got the perfect job because it combines her love of cooking with helping care for the sick. “In my job, I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. With over 18 years in the Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital kitchen to her credit, Vickie’s got what it takes to be the Supervising Lead Cook in the cafeteria. “I just love cooking and I really enjoy trying different recipes and techniques on different types of foods,” she says. You won’t hear any complaints about her cooking from her coworkers as they selected her as the December 2007 Employee of the Month.

Giving her patients the tools for dealing with the stresses and pressures of day-to-day living gives Mary Shakes a sense of purpose. As the Coordinator of the Tombigbee Geriatric Behavioral Health Outpatient Program, Mary feels that her work is simply an extension of her faith. “I’ve always seen this as a part of what I was called to do,” she says, adding that it’s through the combined efforts of the entire staff that their mission of providing comfort and care is accomplished. “I’d like to think that because of what we do, people leave our program more equipped and confident to deal with their problems than when they first began, she says, adding that “this is an excellent program. I believe we make a difference in people’s lives.” She sees being chosen as the November Employee of the Month as an honor that she shares with her coworkers.

Jennifer Sharman greets each new task as a Medical Records Clerk with a quick grin and can-do attitude. “I’m always learning something new,” she said. “It’s never boring. I love working here.” It’s been almost two years since Jennifer joined the Health Information Management staff and she still finds fulfillment and joy in her job. “At the end of the day, if I’ve helped someone or done something to make their day brighter, I feel like I’ve done something right,” she says, adding, “I truly enjoy helping people. We all do. That’s why we’re here.” After a recent vote of her Tombigbee Healthcare Authority coworkers, they let her know that she’s been doing a lot of things right when they chose her as the October 2007 Employee of the Month.

Dorothy Brown knows all the jokes about how awful hospital food can be, but she takes great pride in trying to debunk that myth. “We try our best to provide delicious, nutritious meals for our patients, co-workers and visitors,” she said. When it comes to her employer, her enthusiasm is infectious. “It’s great to be a part of such a terrific team of people,” she says with her broad grin. Dorothy contends that the dedication to providing quality service is one of the reasons she enjoys her job so much. Add to that the great benefits provided to employees and the fact that the organization recognizes achievement among it’s ranks, and you’ve got the perfect mix as far as she’s concerned. With her selection as the September 2007 Employee of the Month, apparently her co-workers recognize achievement, too. 

With her second Employee of the Month nomination in as many years, housekeeper Cathy Burton continues to enjoy the challenges of her job. “I really enjoy my job, but I enjoy the people I work with even more,” Burton said. It’s a tough job, but it’s important that everything is clean for our patients,” she said. For the past decade, Cathy’s friendly smile has greeted patients and coworkers alike as she goes about her daily activities. “I really love working in the hospital. I get to meet and greet a lot of different people each day,” she says. Her coworkers are apparently very impressed with her as the 2006 Employee of the Month and overall 2006 Employee of the Year was recently named Employee of the Month yet again in 2007. 

Developing a close relationship with her patients is a major plus for Annie Jones, LPN. “Working with our patients gives me a sense of accomplishment," she says, "In home health, we get to really know our patients well which, in turn, helps us to better see to their needs.” Annie takes pride in her work and the work of her co-workers in the Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital Home Health Agency. “There’s nothing greater than helping someone feel better,” she says, “and in our organization, our patients come first.” Apparently her Tombigbee Healthcare Authority  coworkers are just as proud of Annie as she is of them, as was demonstrated when they chose her as their July 2007 Employee of the Month. 

Helping area residents live happier, healthier lives is of utmost importance to Belinda Williams, Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. “I think the hospital is the cornerstone of the community," she said. "We provide not only healthcare, but education, learning opportunities and exercise/wellness assistance, as well." As a LPTA Belinda enjoys working closely with her patients in physical therapy, as well as assisting homebound patients through the Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital Home Health Agency. Her cheerful grin and encouraging attitude play a major role in coaxing patients to go the extra mile in their recovery. That’s why her selection as Employee of the Month was such an easy choice for her coworkers.

Helping the Wellness Center grow over the years is important to Betsy Adams. "It's a great feeling to watch this program grow," she said. "We've come a long way from a little room tucked down in the basement." For 28 years, Betsy has coaxed, cajoled and encouraged Wellness Center members to continue to work toward better health. Her vibrant smile and energetic attitude are key ingredients in the growth of the center from a small room with 8 machines to the much larger facility with 23 machines. In May, her coworkers officially recognized her contributions by naming her as the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority Employee of the Month. 

Making sure our Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital patients get the tests they need is of major concern to Betty Hambright, a phlebotomist in the lab. “I love working in the lab. At the end of the day, I know I’ve made a difference,” she said. “The lab plays a major role in the treatment of our patients and we are very conscious of that fact.” For the past four years, Betty’s friendly smile and kind demeanor have helped to make BWWMH patients more comfortable when she’s drawing blood for tests. Betty takes pride in that fact that the lab has a very patient oriented atmosphere where the patients are the top priority. Apparently, her coworkers take pride in her, too, as they have named her the April 2007 Employee of the Month.

Helping people schedule medical tests at a time that is convenient for them is important to Central Booking Clerk Edna Essex. "I try to treat everyone just like I would my own family," she explains, "and that means taking that extra step when needed." For someone who loves talking on the phone, Edna’s job manning the Central Booking Office phone line is tailor-made for her personality. “I enjoy my job and those I talk to,” she says. “They’re all like family to me and I want them to feel that way, too.” Edna joined the Patient Accounting Services staff in 1989 and was named Employee of the Month in 1995 and 1998. Now she can add another year to her list as she’s been named the March 2007 Employee of the Month.

As the first person many people see when they visit the emergency room, Senior ER Registrar Rachel Henton knows that helping others makes a difference. When someone visits our emergency room, we all do our best to make them as comfortable as possible," she says. “It’s very important to help other people when they are in need.” For the past 14 years, Henton has greeted patients with a sweet smile and caring disposition while gathering information necessary to make their visit go as smoothly as possible. “Working here makes me feel good because I’m helping others,” she says. Her caring attitude hasn’t gone unnoticed as her coworkers recently named her the February 2007 Employee of the Month.

Health Information Management clerk Ada Smith says that family atmosphere translates into better care for patients. "Even though we're handling charts, we’re also handling people’s lives and that’s very important," she says. Smith says that attention to detail is extremely important in a patient’s medical record. That’s why the HIM staff works so hard together to make sure that everything is done right. “I love working here, the people are so nice and everyone is dedicated to their jobs,” Smith said. Apparently, her co-workers think the same about her as they selected her as the January 2007 Employee of the Month.

For the past 21 years, orderly Alex Smith has dedicated himself to providing top quality services to our patients. “I really can’t imagine working anywhere else but Bryan Whitfield," he says." I really enjoy helping our patients. It's important to me to make them feel as comfortable as possible during their stay." Alex begins his days at 11 p.m. when many others are just going off to bed. From then until the end of his shift at 7 a.m., he tends to the needs of his patients with a comforting smile & helpful attitude that’s been recognized by his coworkers not once, but 4 times during his tenure. First chosen as an Employee of the Month in 1991, he was selected for that honor again in 1995, 2003, & most recently as December 2006 Employee of the Month.

Patti Luker sees working at Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital more as a privilege than just a job. “I love it here. I wouldn’t work anywhere else,” she said. “At BWWMH, we all share a passion for helping people. It’s like we’re all just one family taking care of each other.” A lot has changed at BWWMH since Patti joined the staff on Oct. 2, 1978, but she says there’s one thing that hasn’t changed. “This is our extended family,” she says of her co-workers and her patients. “For us, our patients aren’t just numbers on a chart, they’re real people we know and truly care about.” Her coworkers recently showed her how much they care when they named her October’s Employee of the Month.

 When Ernestine Kimbrough is in the kitchen at Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital, she feels right at home. "I enjoy what I do and I enjoy the fact that others enjoy what I do, too," she says. A food services supervisor at the hospital for the past decade, Ernestine has been preparing delicious food for people since she was 13 years old. “It’s fun and challenging each day to make sure that everything comes out just right,” she says. Food isn’t the only thing she dishes out daily as she greets patients and coworkers each day with a big helping of sunshine via her megawatt smile and cheery disposition. “I like helping to cheer up the patients each morning. Everyone should start their day with a smile.” Apparently her coworkers agree with her on that point as they selected her as the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority Employee of the Month for September.

     “I love helping people. And I really love being a part of helping people get well.” As a Central Supply Clerk at Bryan Whitfield Memorial Hospital Ann Brown Makes sure that everyone who has direct patient contact has just what they need to take care of the patients. “I like to greet smile,” she adds. Her cheerful disposition and caring attitude are two of the reasons her fellow employees named her as the October 2004 Employee of the Month. Her dedication to the hospital and the patients it serves is another. “I encourage everyone to use our hospital because here, you know the people who are caring for you. You’re not just a number.”