On Thursday March 7, the multipurpose room of Ottawa County Riverview Healthcare Campus was filled with staff and their family members for a special night of recognition and celebration. Everyone enjoyed a pig roast with a variety of salads, desserts, and pulled pork.
The evening began with a presentation that featured facility-wide honors Riverview achieved in 2012. These honors included the highest admission rate in six years. A total of 290 residents/patients were admitted in 2012 and 212 of those admissions (72%) returned back to the community. The facility also celebrated its Medicare 5 star rating, which it has maintained since January 2010. The facility has been named on the US News and World Report’s listing of “Best Nursing Homes” for 2011, 2012, and 2013, and also achieved a deficiency free state survey. Riverview was able to keep a close eye on their budget and secured a $17,476 surplus for the year.
Riverview recognized Shalynn Hatmaker (dietary), Jennifer MacDonald (STNA), Holly Milleson (LPN), Kelly Weirich (dietary), and Chris Woods (laundry) for Perfect Attendance for the entire year of 2012. Not only did these dedicated employees make it to their jobs each day, but also were never tardy and never left prior to the end of their scheduled shift.
The facility also honored the longevity of many of its staff members for their years of service. 5 Years of Service: Jane Wolf (Director of Food and Nutrition), Nancy Ish (STNA), Ben Eldred (LPN), Becky Rahm (STNA), Sarah Williams (STNA), Jessica Crawford (Housekeeping/Laundry), Lee Schultz (STNA), Karen Brubaker (STNA), and Shalynn Hatmaker (Dietary). 10 Years of Service: Maria Dolley (STNA), Jackie Griffin (LPN), and Todd Schunk (LPN). 15 Years of Service: Sharon Johnson (RN), Lisa Dobbelare (RN Restorative), and Cedele Emch (RN). 25 years of Service: Teresa Lazenby (STNA). Lisa Barrett, Director of Activities, was presented with a special token of appreciation, an embroidered Riverview blanket in appreciation of 30 years of service. Anne Powell (LPN) was also recognized for 30 years of service. Anne retired in November 2012.
Employees receiving Employee of the Month for 2012 were also celebrated: Cara Densic (Case Manager), Suzanne Witte (LPN), Trisha Stevenson (LPN), Deb Hepp (STNA), Katie Perry (Dietary), Tracey Schiller (Housekeeping), Patsy DeLeon (STNA), Margie Zunk (STNA), Connie Webert (Dietary), Paul Harrison (Maintenance), Jessica Crawford (Housekeeping/Laundry), and Tina Marinis (Nursing Administrative Assistant).
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the 2012 Employee of the Year. The staff of Riverview votes for the winner of this honor from the 12 staff having received Employee of the Month over the year. Riverview was proud to announce Paul Harrison (Maintenance) as the Ottawa County Riverview Healthcare Campus 2012 Employee of the Year!
Paul was born in Germany while his father was stationed there in the United States Air Force. Other than Germany, he has lived in Bettsville almost his entire life. Paul has three sons, ages 21, 18, and 16.
Paul has been employed at Riverview since July 2011. For him, the most satisfying aspect of working at Riverview is helping the residents. He believes the staff members are an extension of their family, and in some cases all they have. “It’s very rewarding to me to help them make their days easier and happier. Even if it’s a simple good morning or a handshake after fixing something for them, it puts a smile on their face,” Paul stated.
When Paul is not at work helping the residents, he is usually lending a hand to someone with a home project or involved in his sons’ sporting events. When he does get free time, Paul likes to go camping, boating, taking his sons hunting, and golf with family and friends. “Golf is my stress reliever,” he stated, “it’s fun to just take the boys out and have some bonding time.” Paul can also be found cheering on his favorite sports teams; the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Employee of the Year honor is accompanied by a front row parking spot for an entire year and an employee of the year lapel pin. A prize basket with donations from local individuals and businesses was also awarded to Paul. The basket included a $20 Community Markets gift card from the Riverview Auxiliary, a $25 gift card to Wal-Mart from Robin Pfeiffer, a FinePix T410 digital camera and 8GB memory card from Mobilex, a dozen Cookie Lady cookies from Home Instead Senior Care, a $50 Visa gift card from Ottawa County Commissioner Jim Sass and his wife Molly, 100 vendor bucks from Northwood Vending, 2 round trips on the Jet Express to Put-In-Bay from the German family, a one year subscription to the Ottawa County Exponent, and a reusable tote bag, teal insulated lunch bag, travel mug with straw, Mercy LifeStar navy t-shirt, Mercy LifeStar notebook and pen, and a $10 McDonald’s gift certificate from Mercy LifeStar Ambulance Inc.
