CMC Names Employees of the Year
1/17/2017
Carlsbad, N.M. — Carlsbad Medical Center recently named Brandie Villa 2016 Employee of the Year, Jamie Duncan as Non-Clinical Director of the Year and Faith Johnston as the Clinical Director of the Year. The awards are the highest honors bestowed on a hospital employee each year.
“Health care requires a special blend of great people skills, tireless energy and the ability to work well under pressure,” says Carlsbad Medical Center CEO Cathy Hibbs. “People who work in health care share the common desire to help others and make a difference in people’s lives. It’s a pleasure to recognize our employees for their dedication to our patients, and to providing outstanding care.”
Employees are nominated for the award by their hospital peers - based on their commitment to patient care, their professionalism, and their contributions on the job.
Duncan began her career in healthcare right out of high school in Hobbs at Lea Regional Medical Center. For the past 10 years, she has been the Patient Access Director at CMC, where she has always been an advocate for both patients and employees. She is recognized and respected as a trusted resource by other department leaders, and serves on the Employee Rewards and Recognition Committee. This is the second time Duncan has won this award. She was named Non-Clinical Director of the Year for the first time in 2014.
Johnston has been a Registered Nurse since 1981 and started working for CMC in 1997 as an RN in surgical services and later as a clinical coordinator and charge nurse. She has served as the Director of Surgical Services since 2014. She is passionate about recycling and caring for the environment, and coordinates a monthly trash clean-up day on the hospital campus and surrounding area. She also volunteers annually with the Carlsbad Intermediate School Science Fair, helping to recruit judges from the hospital. Johnston is also a member of the Employee Rewards and Recognition Committee and has been described by her peers as an excellent leader and role model.
Villa has been a part of the Carlsbad Medical Center team since November 2003, starting as a Certified Nurse Assistant. She has also worked as a nurse tech and became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 2007. She is a member of the student nursing association at New Mexico State University-Carlsbad, where she is working towards her Registered Nurse degree. Villa was named Employee of the Month for May 2016, and her patient and caring nature, flexibility and positive attitude have been well noted by patients and co-workers alike. In her spare time, Villa enjoys dancing, spending time with her children, and doing anything outdoors.
Service awards were also presented at CMC’s annual awards ceremony.
Five employees were honored for an outstanding 35 years of service: Linda Downey, Mary Brown, Narciza Munoz, Anita Urquidez, and Teresa Dean.
Recognized for 30 years of service were Bobbie Eaton, Veronica Barnhart, Neela Wickenkamp, David Shelton, and Elizabeth Madison.
Karon Finical was recognized for 25 years of service and Veronica Ruiz was recognized for 20 years.
Recognized for 15 years of service were Martha Smith, Cassie True, Melody Knight, Julio Munoz, M.D., Andrea Devers, Michael Chavez, Teresa Gauntt, Deana Rogers, Patricia Aldaz, Kathleen Donovan, Carmen Smith, and Michael Smith.
The following employees were recognized for 10 years of service: Joanna Yeh, Cecilia Williams, Annabelle Segovia, Rejina Serrano, Misty Harless, Irmtraud Byrd, Patricia Moore, Barbara Castaneda, Cassidy Lukins, Zachary Smith, Jennifer Tyson, Tara Spearman, Lloyd Walker, Lynna Owsley, Mitchelle Montoya, Sarah Marquez, Eric Hess, and Tammy Clifton.
The following CMC and Pecos Valley of New Mexico employees were recognized for five years of service:
Prescilla Melendrez, Donald Malone, M.D., Kathryn Yaste, Sabra Mapp, Alyssa Chacon, Jewel Garret, Jacqueline Horsfall, Anna Ongaga, Dana Wade, and Joseph Calderon.
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