Congratulations to our 2009 Frist Humanitarian Award Winners!It is a pleasure to recognize all of our Frist Award winners for 2009. These individuals embody the characteristics and values that distinguish the noble field of health care from other industries and sectors. They are—in essence—symbolic of what makes our organization so extraordinary. These individuals have been nominated by their peers to receive this high tribute, which bears the name of an individual who himself personified humanitarianism, Dr. Thomas Frist Sr. It was Dr. Frist who said, “It’s not the bricks and mortar and equipment that make a great hospital. It’s the warmth and compassion of the people.”
Congratulations to the following nominees at each facility:
St. David’s North Austin Medical Center Employee Nominee: Mitch Pearson, Manager, Central Supply Volunteer Nominee: Helen Alexander Physician Nominee: Dr. David Cuellar
St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center Employee Nominee: Neva Schmelzer, Cardiac Rehab Supervisor
Volunteer Nominee: Vernell Thompson
Physician Nominee: Dr. Lewis Lux
St. David’s Medical Center
Employee Nominee: Jamaal Jones, Laboratory Assistant
Volunteer Nominee: Carolyn Bartlett
Physician Nominee: Dr. Declan Fleming
St. David’s Georgetown Hospital
Employee Nominee: Elisa Roberts, Supervisor, OB/Labor & Delivery
Volunteer Nominee: Richard Dunitz
Physician Nominee: Dr. Clifton O’Meara
St. David’s South Austin Medical Center
Employee Nominee: Mary Posern, Director, Imaging Services
Volunteer Nominee: Suzanne Faugh
Physician Nominee: Dr. Will Curtis
Of these extraordinary nominees, one physician, one employee and one volunteer were selected as overall Frist Award winners in each category for St. David’s HealthCare.
The St. David’s HealthCare Employee winner is:
Mitchell Pearson, Sterile Processing Manager
St. David’s North Austin Medical Center
Mitch Pearson has been employed at North Austin Medical Center for the past two years and within that time Mitch has shown a variety of outstanding attributes.In his unparalleled motivation to do the right thing, he displays a strong personal commitment to compassion for all those around him.
Mitch routinely assists with feeding the homeless in collaboration with his church. He will make the time to listen to each individual’s story, whether for five minutes or an hour. Mitch will sit down right beside each person and listen with a nonjudgmental and compassionate ear.
Mitch recently flew to Haiti to assist with the ongoing relief efforts. In the short time he was there, he has made such an impact that he was recently described in the following manner by his peers:
“Mitch was an operating room specialist in the army, and served in Iraq in 2005. That year, his unit was the busiest trauma center in the world. He now manages a 15 room surgical suite in Austin, has 12 staff under his direction. Having him on this mission has been like having Clint Eastwood with you at a tough guy convention – very wise choice.”
Mitch is an inspiration to all those around him whom are blessed to know him or work with him. Those who do witness the selfless acts of generosity and kindness he demonstrates each and every day. Mitch genuinely and humbly demonstrates the characteristics that embody the essence of the Frist Humanitarian Award. Congratulations Mitch! The St. David’s HealthCare Volunteer winner is:
Suzanne Faught
St. David’s South Austin Medical Center
Suzanne has been a faithful volunteer at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center for two years, giving a minimum of 40 hours per month to our patients. When Suzanne is not attending to patients at the hospital, she can be found at one of her multitude of volunteer organizations. She is a dedicated member of the altar guild at her church and has been since 1993. She volunteered with other members of the church at Caritas of Austin, assisting with preparing and serving meals.
Suzanne has been involved in many important roles, such as speaking to the media to promote Mammography Awareness Day. Recently, she started volunteering twice a month at a local chemotherapy site. Suzanne visits the patients receiving chemo and lets them know about the resources available through the American Cancer Society.
As a member of the City of Austin CERT team (emergency response), Suzanne volunteered to work at the city-wide H1N1 Clinics.
Suzanne served on the Lone Star Girl Scout Council Board of Directors for 3 years and was an active adult volunteer with Girl Scouts for 12 years. From acting as an assistant troop leader to a secret cookie shopper to assisting with special events, Suzanne helped shaped the lives of many young women.
Additionally, Suzanne and her daughter are both members of the Daniel Coleman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Suzanne volunteers at every ceremony and is on hand to congratulate the new citizens, give them information on registering to vote, and even hands them their first American flag.
As a member of DAR, Suzanne also volunteers at wreath laying ceremonies and other historical events across the state. She has served on various committees that help to promote and support state and national landmarks. She was also an active adult volunteer of the Children of the American Revolution for 10 years, helping to organize meetings and conferences as well as recognizing historical sites and attending events all over the state.
Suzanne has also driven around an elderly member of St. Francis to church for more than five years. She visits her after her doctor’s appointments and takes her soup and snacks when she is sick. Suzanne’s friend is 80 years old now and Suzanne has helped her remain independent and connected to her church and friends.
Aside from her blessings to the community and the hospital, Suzanne is described as a genuinely kind-hearted, generous and loving soul. She humbly personifies everything we look for in the Frist Humanitarian Award winner. Congratulations Suzanne! The St. David’s HealthCare Physician winner is:
Dr. William Curtis
St. David’s South Austin Medical Center
Dr. Will Curtis is an exceptional caregiver, completely devoted to his faith, family and profession. He exemplifies and embraces the values of integrity, compassion, and respect for human life.
At the core of every hospital is the desire to provide the best patient care, control pain, and ensure successful outcomes. As an Anesthesiologist, Dr. Curtis is not only concerned about controlling pain, he is passionate about it. He recently spoke to SDSAMC staff during Pain Management Week to educate them about Regional and Block Anesthesia. Because of Dr. Curtis’s dedication, St. David’s South Austin Medical Center is seeing record pain management scores – some of the best within HCA.
Dr. Curtis’s compassion spreads across nations. He has taken mission trips to Mexico and Israel to expand his faith and help the local people. Most recently, Dr. Curtis dropped everything, got on a plane and headed to devastated Haiti to offer his expertise and services. Although practicing under subpar conditions, and forsaking his own comforts, Dr. Curtis brought much needed relief to over 100 Haitians. He did this without reservation or concern for himself.
Dr. Curtis is involved in IMPACT, a program through his church that focuses on inspiring young members to grow in their faith. He was recently able to speak to this group about his experience in Haiti and the calling we all have to help our fellow man. Additionally, he is a part of a men’s mentoring group within his church. He seeks and gives inspiration wherever he goes, affecting hundreds of lives. His faith and his family are extremely important and have shaped him into the exceptional man he is today.
At only thirty-eight years old, Dr. Curtis is setting a stellar example for staff, peers and the community as a whole. He is consistently praised for his calm and confident demeanor and highly respected for his clinical judgment. He is a humble leader who graciously leads by example. He gives freely, without an ounce of hesitation – a perfect and deserving candidate to receive the Frist Humanitarian Award. Congratulations Dr. Curtis!
Once again, we congratulate all of the Frist Award winners throughout St. David’s HealthCare. Your work is an inspiration to all of us!