Excela Insight Special Edition: Service Awards

Service Awards 2019

INSIGHT

2019 Service Awards Excela Health recognized more than 500 employees during the 2019 Service Awards celebration, honoring individuals with anniversaries in 5-year increments at various receptions and a dinner for those marking a quarter century or more of service this year. The hundreds of recognized employees work in a wide array of professions and services at Excela Health. Nearly half of these employees celebrated five years here—here’s to hoping they hit the 50-year mark in 2069! Among the recognized employees, Bernadette “Bunny” Wallace was celebrated for her half century dedication to Excela Health and helping to improve the health and well-being of every life she touches. Bunny started as a pediatric nurse at Latrobe Hospital and has since served in different roles on several floors during her 50 years with Excela. She currently is a nurse for Neurosurgery and Joint Works. Congratulations, Bunny, and to all of those recognized!

25 years of service Mass email marketing campaigns, President Bill Clinton, Forrest Gump and the OJ Simpson police chase all mark historical moments 25 years ago. In 1994, there were memories being made at Excela Health, too—35 employees started their careers here. In 2019, they are celebrating a quarter of a century of service.

Although technology and medicine has changed since ‘94, the familial aspect of Excela Health remains the same, and it keeps employees feeling at home while on the job. Those employees have shown their #ExcelaPride by serving our community! For more information, watch the Service Award video featuring a few of these 25 year honorees.

Employees with 25 years of service Lisa Bertolino, Elizabeth Bevilacqua, Sandra Brewer, Richard Buerger, Deborah Carns, Kristin Chellman, Renee Cook, Dawnic Fink, Jeffrey Fullerton, Carol Galya, Michele Geiger, Shari Herrholtz, David Hoffer, Jodi Holtman, Vickie Jellison, Kris Kinsey, Carol Kintigh, Karen Kober, Tammy Lowther, Toni Ludwig, Tonia Lynch, Mark Martelli, Charlene Miller, Cynthia Miller, Diane Muka, Deborah Neish, Jodi Pollick, Kathleen Puskar, Linda Ruvo, Cynthia Scarpa, Tangi Scott, Robert Shaw, Brenda Shumar, Pamela Sterner, Terri Sweney

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30 years of service In 1989, Bill Gates and Microsoft hit the market, Seinfeld had people laughing and the Exxon Valdez oil spill made news around the world. Also 30 years ago, 47 employees started their career with Excela Health. Job stability and flexibility, along with career advancement, is just part of what keeps these employees here.

The staff condones successful teamwork and patient engagement as rewarding parts of their jobs. Watch the video to see how some of these employees show their #ExcelaPride

Employees with 30 years of service Gowri Arulanantham, Victoria Augustine, Gina Balega, Patricia Beatrice, Lorrie Bickerstaff, Marion Bradley, Dino Carota, Ruth Cole, Joanne Dickson, Jean Drap, Carey Franicola, Peggy Garrity, Steven Geiger, Linda Harvey, Diane Heining, Michelle Hill, Brenda Junk, Brenda Lear, Susan Lininger, Anita Little, Angela Mainini, Darrin Orsargos, Tracy Palmer, Lisa Ponko, Rebecca Puskar, Kathleen Rosatti, Patti Rose, Tammy Ross, Pamela Sabat, Marsha Scarpo-Welch, Kathy Schmitt, Barbara Six, Margaret Slezak, Kathryn Smartnick, Anna South, Laura Stanko, Melissa Stitt, Sherry Sullenberger, Roger Sutter, Kathleen Torrero, Vicki Unferdorfer, Sarah Vanderelli, Andrea Verbanic, Robin Weyandt, Christine Wilson, Harold Wilson, Jonathan Wilson

35 years of service 35 years ago in 1984, 11 employees were piloting their careers at Excela Health while a gallon of gas was priced at a dollar, Mario Lemieux skated onto the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team, Jeopardy made its appearance as a television game show and the AIDS virus was discovered. These employees felt able to make a difference in a community-based hospital and made friends along the way. Watch this video to see how a few of these employees showed their #ExcelaPride for 35 years.

Employees with 35 years of service Karen Beers, Diana Johnson, Deborah Kozel, Lisa Lovis, Beth Mignogna, Jacqueline Pehrson, Daniel Robison, Kimberly Sherer, Anthony Tocco, Rose Tocco, Patricia White

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40 years of service 40 years ago in 1979, the first female Prime Minister was elected in England, the Sony Walkman became a popular media player and the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first NFL team to win four Super Bowls. That year, a group of dedicated staff members started their Excela careers and are now celebrating 40 years of service. These 19 individuals built lasting relationships with their patients and coworkers over the years, some even falling in love along the way. These employees are proud to work for Excela Health and have demonstrated their #ExcelaPride over the years.

Employees with 40 years of service John Beveridge, Gretchen Cramer, Bettina Downs, Sally Guerrieri, Roy Hill, Ellen Katter, Dane Lewis, Beverly Marsh, Richard Masters, Kimberly Mikeska, Laura Pizzola, Michael Pizzola, Wendy Shaffer, Alan Smail, Renee Stiffey, Lona Stinebaugh, Renee Stockberger, Barbara Toman, Diana Vasinko

45 years of service In 1974, inflation began to spiral, a nationwide speed limit was set to fifty-five miles per hour to conserve fuel, People Magazine became popular and pocket calculators were invented—1974 was a year of change. Nine individuals also stepped toward change and began their careers with Excela Health that year. Many of these employees have furthered their educations with Excela and advanced their careers, all of them providing care and comfort to patients and their families. These staff members also noted that creating friendships and spousal relationships over the years has made Excela more than just a place of work. To find out how some of these employees show their #ExcelaPride, watch the Service Award video

Employees with 45 years of service Rosaire Bair, Stephen Bernick, Suzanne Bridge, Diane Evans, Karen Krzemien Laick, Earl Morrison, Michael Newhouse, Denise Schaller, Debbie Schell

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50 years of service 50 years ago in 1969, Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, a new house could be purchased for $15,000 and Walmart and Wendy’s took off. At Excela Health, one employee was inspired to begin her nursing career by her sister, a nurse at Latrobe Hospital.

Bernadette “Bunny” Wallace celebrates a half century with Excela Health this year. She started nursing in Pediatrics and worked on several different floors over the years; she is currently nursing with Neurosurgery and Joint Works. Bunny’s fellow coworkers often recognize her for putting her heart and soul into nursing and going the extra mile to comfort and care for patients at their bedside. Staff members also acknowledge Bunny’s unwavering dedication to and knowledge of nursing, especially considering the changes in the field in the last half century. Bunny has made many memories, met many patients and impacted many lives throughout her career, but she did not expect to be recognized for what she said was ‘simply doing her job.’ She is a gift to our health system and community, the epitome of #ExcelaPride. To learn more about Bunny’s experiences at Excela Health, watch the video

Bernadette “Bunny” Wallace

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View all of the photos from the Service Award Dinner on the Excela Health Facebook Page!

To access the Excela Health Facebook, go to: http://bit.ly/2PcvKRL

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View all of the photos of the employee Celebrations on the Excela Health Facebook Page!

To access the Excela Health Facebook, go to: http://bit.ly/2PcvKRL

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