Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Recognizes Exceptional Performance with 2011 Tri-Board Awards for Excellence

(left to right) The 2011 Tri-Board award recipients are Carrie Sophonow, Staff recipient, Jennifer Wilson, Volunteer recipient and Team recipients, Becky Elgie and Constable Brent Milne of the Mental Health and Addictions Mobile Crisis Response Team.

CHATHAM-KENT: Monday, November 28, 2011 -- The most prestigious honour that a healthcare professional can earn at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is a Tri-Board Award for Excellence. Facilitated by CKHA’s Great People Great Place Committee, this annual Awards program honours staff, physicians and volunteers who exemplify performance excellence within and beyond the healthcare environment.

The 2011 Tri-Board Awards Recipients are:

Volunteer recipient: Jennifer Wilson.  During the recruitment of a new CEO – a significant period of change at CKHA – Jennifer maintained a stable and functional Board and an organization that was able to achieve significant outcomes including Top 100 Employer and recipient of the OHA’s Healthy Workplace Gold Award. As Board Chair, Jennifer made it her responsibility to challenge the organization in setting extremely high standards – to exceed average and be a leading practice organization. Jennifer’s vision and advocacy have had a positive impact on patients and their family’s lives.

Team recipient: Mental Health and Addictions Mobile Crisis Response Team  - CKHA`s Becky Elgie and Constable Brent Milne of Chatham-Kent Police Services.  In their role, the Mobile CRT is committed to providing a specialized mental health intervention in the community, often in very challenging conditions and their efforts reduce the need for patients to come to the emergency department. Both organizations have strongly influenced one another’s knowledge and attitude and appreciation toward the roles that they are required to fulfill. By doing so, they have created a unique way of intervening with patients in the community that is collaborative, compassionate and dignified.

Employee recipient: Carrie Sophonow, Manager, Housekeeping.  A tremendous mentor and leader that nurtures and supports her staff every step of the way Carrie exemplifies excellence. She is always willing to coach, assist, accommodate and empower her employees. Carrie also chairs CKHA’s volunteer Green Team, an award-winning group dedicated to reducing CKHA’s environmental impact.

Physician recipient: Dr. Siva Murugappan, General Surgeon. A compassionate, considerate and intelligent man, Dr. Murugappan always puts the patient and families concerns first. A true team player, his positive attitude also enables staff and colleagues to reflect and assess their own practice and see their role as a team player too. Dr. Murugappan sees change in a positive light, indicative of improved care and outcomes and increased patient and staff satisfaction.

Awards were presented by Board Chairpersons, Wayne Schnabel, Jon Wood and Paul Weese. Recipients were presented with a crystal keepsake award, an educational bursary, and a copy of a video in which they were featured.

President and CEO, Colin Patey said, "How and what we do defines us as professionals, as care givers and as a service provider. These professionals are exceptional, they exceed expectations, and they will set the standard for future award recipients. The Tri-Board Award for Excellence recipients are the best of the best at CKHA!"

"They continually demonstrate how we are living our vision of being an exceptional community hospital," he added, "we’re extremely proud of their accomplishments."

This year’s recipients were selected from peer nominations by a panel which represented staff, past honourees and the Tri-Board. Applicants are judged on their promotion of patient and family centred care, commitment to CKHA’s mission, vision and values, and leadership in improving quality and performance.

Awards were presented during CKHA’s Annual Recognition ceremony last Friday night at Club Lentinas.

For more information contact:

Colin Patey,

President and CEO

519-437-6001