Employee of the Month

Ben Landers, MLS, Laboratory

November 2024 Employee of the Month

We are pleased to announce that Ben Landers, MLS has been selected as November Employee of the Month. Ben is a medical lab scientist who has worked in the hospital’s Laboratory since June of 2021.

Ben’s colleagues describe him as kind, courteous, and always willing to lend a hand. Whether it’s assisting with a co-worker’s workload or stepping in during times of illness or vacation, Ben’s willingness to help does not go unnoticed. His proactive approach is one of his standout qualities—he often anticipates needs and completes tasks without being asked, ensuring the smooth operation of the lab. 

Though his face time with patients may be limited, Ben’s interactions are always characterized by professionalism and warmth. In the lab, he consistently delivers accurate and timely results, treating each responsibility with the utmost care and precision. His commitment to quality work and his conscientious approach to patient care have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers. 

Ben is truly an asset to BCMH, and his contributions continue to enhance our hospital’s overall success. We are proud to recognize him for his hard work, dedication, and positive impact on our workplace. 

Jody Kirtley, RT, CT, Imaging Services

October 2024 Employee of the Month

Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) recognizes Jody Kirtley, RT, CT as the Employee of the Month for October. Jody has worked in the Imaging Services department of BCMH since 2013. As a radiologic technologist and Computed Tomography Technologist (CT Tech), Jody assists patients with radiologic exams and CT scans.

Jody’s exceptional attention to detail and her compassionate approach to patient care truly set her apart. She consistently goes above and beyond, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our team and the well-being of our patients. She readily takes on extra tasks and is always willing to put in additional hours to ensure our department runs smoothly.

Jody’s dedication and positive attitude inspire all of us, making her a valuable asset to our hospital. BCMH congratulates Jody on this well-deserved recognition.

Kyrsten Jacobs, Finance

September 2024 Employee of the Month

Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) recognizes Kyrsten Jacobs as the Employee of the Month for September. Kyrsten is an accounting clerk in the Finance department. She has worked for BCMH since April 2018 when she was hired to the Registration Department in the Emergency Department, and she has filled her current role in Finance since 2021.

Kyrsten’s nominator stated, “Kyrsten is a very dedicated employee. She goes above and beyond to do her job duties. She works hard to make sure the ambulance charges are done well. It takes working well with other departments to get this accomplished. Over the last few years, she has worked hard to learn all aspects of the finance department so that when one of her coworkers is off, she can easily step in and do their job duties. She greets everyone with a smile and no job is too big for her to accomplish. We are so lucky to have her on team BCMH.”

Kyrsten’s spirit of teamwork and her drive for accuracy and excellence are very much appreciated, and she deserves this recognition.

Carly Murdock, RN, BSN, Outpatient Specialty Clinics

August 2024 Employee of the Month

Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) recognizes Carly Murdock, RN, BSN as the Employee of the Month for August. Carly has worked for BCMH since 2021 when she was hired to the Outpatient Specialty Clinic Department. Before joining BCMH, Carly gained valuable experience working in Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), Endoscopy and Coronary ICU. She works with patients in the Long-Nissen Infusion Center and other specialty clinics at BCMH.

Carly was nominated by a coworker, who said, “Carly consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellent customer service and safe, high-quality care of patients. She gleans positive comments from patients because of her gentle, compassionate demeanor. She explains things clearly and factually in a way that puts patients at ease. Co-workers are drawn to her kindness and her easy grasp of the importance of helping each other do the best work possible. It’s easy to trust Carly’s instincts because they are usually right on target with improving the patient experience.”

Carly takes pride in the work that is being done at BCMH and takes her responsibility as an RN very seriously, and she deserves this recognition.

Lena Tialino, Human Resources

July 2024 Employee of the Month

Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) recognizes Lena Tialino as the Employee of the Month for July. Lena was hired to the Patient Accounts department in 2018 and quickly grew in her role to serve as financial counselor for patients for several years. In 2023, she accepted a position in the Human Resources department as Coordinator, where she is responsible for many tasks related to employee benefits, events, orientation, and more, as well as coordinating and overseeing the needs of our Auxiliary Volunteers.

Lena was nominated for this honor by another employee, who said, “Although she has a lot on her plate, she always does her best to work through it all. She goes out of her way for everybody and anybody. Cheerful, she takes on tasks with a smile and full attention. She is friendly with every department. She gives her work 110% with all her heart, plus some.”

Lena consistently displays a dedication to excellence in her role, and she deserves this recognition.

Aerial Myrtle, Patient Accounts

June 2024 Employee of the Month

Aerial is a Patient Accounts Specialist in the Patient Accounts Department. Aerial was hired as a Patient Accounts Representative in June 2016, and she now serves as the team lead. In her role she oversees the daily operations within the Patient Accounts department, working closely with the Patient Accounts Director to provide leadership and serving as the first in line for staff questions.

“She is a valuable member of the BCMH team and helps behind the scenes in a manner that never expects recognition for the important work that she does here,” her nominator wrote. “Aerial demonstrates excellence in customer service to all customers including her peers in her department, coworkers and managers throughout the BCMH organization, volunteers at BCMH, vendors providing services to her department, and visitors in the hospital. It’s not unusual to see her manager or an executive including her in discussions about process improvements because her input is valuable and well thought out. Her demeanor is kind, patient and encouraging. She shows respect and courtesy to everyone she encounters and is supportive as others learn things she is responsible for teaching. She leads by quiet example and integrity when it comes to responding professionally in difficult situations. She’s one of the reasons people like their jobs and think BCMH is a great place to work.”

Aerial is an excellent employee, and she deserves this recognition.

Corri Darr, Purchasing

May 2024 Employee of the Month

Corri was hired to the hospital’s housekeeping department in March 2021, and in November 2022 she transferred to Purchasing, where she now works as a Materials Management storeroom clerk. Corri’s duties include ordering and delivering supplies to almost all departments at the hospital and Family Care Clinics.

Her coworkers say Corri is always careful to ensure deliveries are timely and correct. “Corri is always going above and beyond her job description with attention to detail, making sure that everything is well stocked in a timely manner. She does this without complaint. She has a great work ethic and is pleasant to be with and work with.”

Corri’s spirit of generosity and hard work reflects BCMH values, and she deserves this recognition.

Erick Head, Finance

April 2024 Employee of the Month

Erick was hired to the hospital’s Patient Access department in December 2016, and in October 2017 he transferred to the Finance Department, where he is an accounting clerk. Erick works with nearly all hospital departments and with BCMH Volunteers who work in the Gift Shop. His assistance is valuable and appreciated by all.

His nominator said, “Erick is always going above and beyond what is asked of him. It is not unusual for Erick to step up and go above and beyond what his job duties are. I see it all the time when one of his coworkers has to be gone. You will never hear him complain either. He has such a great work ethic and is just a great person to be around. Definitely a great representation of what a good employee and person can strive to be.”

Erick’s consistent demonstration of BCMH values is commendable, and he deserves this recognition.

Ronnie Smith, CRT, Respiratory

March 2024 Employee of the Month

Ronnie has been employed with BCMH since 2012 as a certified respiratory therapist in the Respiratory Department, and currently serves as Lead Tech for the department.

Ronnie is known for taking great pride in everything he is tasked with. He treats all staff, visitors and patients with kindness and respect. He consistently shows compassion to his patients and family members to provide the patient with the best experience he can. As Lead Tech, Ronnie is responsible for ordering supplies for the department and works with other hospital departments to handle any issues. He is a team player, and coworkers say he is a joy to work with. Ronnie is a valuable employee, and he deserves this recognition.

Emily Noble, RN, Outpatient Specialty Clinics

February 2024 Employee of the Month

Emily has been an employee of BCMH since 2016. She is the lead cardiology nurse at BCMH, working with Dr. Jeffrey Bissing, Cardiologist, in the hospital’s Outpatient Specialty Clinics.

February is American Heart Month, a time when all people are encouraged to focus on their cardiovascular health, and Emily is a nurse who promotes this in her duties as a registered nurse in the cardiology clinic every day.

Emily was nominated for this recognition by a coworker, who said, “Emily makes the clinic a success. Her determination and desire to provide wonderful care and service to our patients at BCMH is admirable. I have personally received numerous compliments about Emily from many patients. They trust her with their care and know that she will help them out when they need. I could not do the clinic without her.”

Emily is a valuable employee, and she deserves this recognition.

Shannon Bjerke, CPS, Administration

January 2024 Employee of the Month

Shannon Bjerke has worked for BCMH since 1998 as the administrative assistant to the Chief Executive Officer. She has served in this role as assistant to six different chief executives, including the hospital’s current CEO, Greg Weaver.

“Shannon is always easy to work with,” said the employee who nominated her. “She is trustworthy with all information and can be depended upon to complete tasks quickly and accurately. She is an encyclopedia when it comes to BCMH history and is helpful whenever I need to understand better who the stakeholders are in any project. She is fair and consistent, knowledgeable about BCMH policies and processes, and treats every employee with courtesy and kindness.”

Shannon is an exemplary employee, and she deserves this recognition.

Deena Barnett, LPN, Outpatient Specialty Clinics

December 2023 Employee of the Month

Deena is a licensed practical nurse working in Outpatient Specialty Clinics at the hospital.

Her nominator commented, “Deena is a kind, compassionate individual. She has a kind word for everyone. I recently witnessed Deena talking with a transportation driver from a local nursing home and she was telling him how much of an asset he was to the nursing home patients. I could see that her complimentary words made such a positive impact on his day. Deena has a way of putting others before herself. She is a dedicated and loyal employee of BCMH. She has an excellent work ethic and is always willing to help out without hesitation.”

Deena is a valued employee, and she deserves this recognition.

Andrea Davis, RN, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

November 2023

Andrea is a registered nurse working with cardiac rehabilitation patients in the cardiopulmonary department.

Her nominator commented, “Andrea is very committed to her role as a cardiac nurse and is a valued asset for BCMH. She always exhibits a positive attitude and is very professional and respectful to staff and clients. Andrea is also very knowledgeable and is a reliable and valuable resource in cardiac and pulmonary health. She goes above and beyond for our patients by calling physicians and doing whatever is necessary to educate our patients, which ultimately reduces ER visits and hospital readmissions. Andrea takes pride in her position and is a joy to work with. She reflects the love for her job to our patients and they enjoy coming to cardiac rehab and exercising and learning how to live a healthier lifestyle.”

Andrea is a valued employee, and she deserves this recognition.

Jenne Bennet, RN, Family Care Clinics

October 2023

Jenne is a registered nurse working with Dr. James Miller’s team at Nursery Street Family Care Clinic in Butler, Mo. She has worked for BCMH since 2009.

Her coworker who nominated her said, “Jenne is one of the most compassionate RNs that I have met. She goes above and beyond to make sure all patients are taken care of in a timely manner. Jenne is also a stand-up employee. She is always there and willing to help resolve any issues or lend a hand to another team member. She helps keep our physicians calm when stress arises. She is a huge asset to our Family Care Clinic Team.”

Jenne is a valued employee, and she deserves this recognition.

Alisha Brownsberger, MLS, Laboratory

September 2023

Alisha is a medical lab scientist in our laboratory department and has worked with BCMH since March of 2003. We love to see employees progress in their healthcare careers utilizing every resource BCMH offers to further their education. Alisha is a shining example of this, as she has worked hard to continually improve and educate herself. Originally, she was hired to work in our cafeteria with Nutrition Services, and she has progressed over the years to become an ASCP registered medical laboratory scientist. Alisha currently fills the role of Lead Tech in the laboratory department, and in this role she serves as the primary instructor for all the clinical training of new Medical Lab Techs and Medical Lab Scientists. She performs quality lab work and helps everyone around her to ensure the same from them with patience and kindness. She ensures patients are well cared for by carefully handling specimens and doing work in a timely manner. Alisha is a valuable team member at BCMH and she deserves this recognition.

Josh Sullins, RRT, Imaging Services

August 2023

Josh has worked with BCMH as a registered radiologic tech in the imaging services department since 2014. Patients might see Josh when they come in for an X-ray, CT scan or MRI.

Josh’s friendly demeanor puts everyone at ease. His coworkers report: “Josh is always kind and compassionate toward our patients. He adjusts his tone and volume of voice for the patient he is caring for and goes out of his way to make patients feel heard and understood. Whenever he isn’t busy performing procedures, he can often be found escorting a patient in the hallway. He’s willing to escort patients from other departments that have lost their way or just look like they need some company. When Josh is with a patient or their family member, it’s easy to see he is giving them his full attention and providing excellent customer service. He is also friendly with coworkers and fun to work with, which makes everyone’s day a bit brighter.”

Josh is a valuable team member at BCMH, and he deserves this recognition.

Michelle Triebel, Patient Benefit Advisor, Patient Access

July 2023

Bates County Memorial Hospital recognizes Michelle Triebel as the Employee of the Month for July. Michelle is a patient benefit advisor in the patient access department and has been working for BCMH since 2009. Her duties include helping patients with authorizations for IVIM’s and chemotherapy regimens as well as doing authorizations, estimates and scheduling for Radiology from all BCMH providers.

Michelle strives every day to provide quality care for patients. Her coworkers say, “Her commitment to BCMH and dedication shows just how passionate she is about the job she does. Michelle is always willing to go above and beyond to ensure our patients, other employees and staff have all the information they need to provide the best care possible.”

Michelle is an asset to her department and to the hospital, and she deserves this recognition.

Ashley Turner, RN, Surgery

June 2023

Ashley is a registered nurse in the Surgery Department. Ashley exhibits a caring, positive attitude not only with her patients but also with her co-workers. She is respectful, kind, and compassionate towards each person she meets.

Ashley’s peers say, “Ashley is a committed, valued asset for BCMH. She has worked here for many years and does an outstanding job. She is a team leader and exhibits pride and professionalism in whatever task she is asked to complete. She holds herself to a very high professional standard, therefore those around her perform better because she is better.”

Ashley is dedicated to the surgery department but is occasionally called on to fill in for Outpatient Specialty Clinics and interventional radiology when needed. She has been cross trained for almost every role in the surgery department.

Ashley continually demonstrates exemplary work and represents the BCMH values, and she is deserving of this recognition.

Lora Hill, Lead Housekeeper, Housekeeping

May 2023

Lora is a housekeeper in the Housekeeping Department and has been working for the hospital since 2018. She is the evening lead housekeeper and the main housekeeper for Surgical Services. Lora is a hard worker who likes to stay busy. She frequently picks up additional work for her colleagues and demonstrates her ability to be a team player. Fellow employees think she is awesome, saying, “She is kind and pleasant to those around her. She is hard working and pays extreme interest to details. She wants everything done right and there are no cleaning shortcuts with Lora. She exhibits professional behavior and understands the idea of being diligent and spotless when it comes to providing services for an important facility such as this.” Lora makes our organization shine in her exemplary behavior and actions and is deserving of this recognition.

Sharon Huston, Menu Hostess – Nutrition Services

April 2023

Sharon is a Menu Hostess in the Nutrition Services department. Sharon has actually retired several times from BCMH and has worked for the hospital, beginning in 1986, for a total of 32 1/2 years (combined) with a year of Auxiliary volunteer service between those years of employment. Her coworkers approve of this arrangement as Sharon is well known for her baking skills and other delicious recipes, saying, “Sharon takes good care of us with special dietary requests. Even after retiring, she is back with a smile and great recipes. She is a true asset to BCMH.” Sharon is a true reflection of BCMH values, and she is deserving of this recognition.

Dickie Reinke, Skilled Maintenance – Operations

March 2023

Dickie is a skilled maintenance worker in Plant Operations and has worked for BCMH since November of 2013. Dickie is very committed to helping the hospital make needed repairs without wasting money, and he treats others with respect and kindness every day. His coworkers say, “You don’t have to worry about any task that he is assigned to – he puts his shoulder to the wheel and takes care of the problem. Always the first one at work and is ready to go to work. Recently, he wanted to find a leak on the hot water storage tank. He dug through insulation and standing water while lying down on his side. He found the problem and even came in on his day off to make the repairs so patients and staff could have hot water again. That saved not only precious time, but considerable money for the hospital.” Dickie consistently demonstrates BCMH values, and he is deserving of this recognition.

Nikki West, Rad Tech – Imaging Services

February 2023

Nikki is a Radiology CT and MRI Tech working in the Imaging Services department at BCMH. The Rich Hill resident was hired in 2003, and in her 20 years with BCMH has advanced to become the lead tech in the department. Her coworkers say she is invaluable and trustworthy to run the floor with efficiency and always does a great job. She also helps her teammates by taking on additional tasks when needed, and she is always looking for ways to improve her craft and profession. Nikki consistently exhibits BCMH values of courtesy, respect, compassion, dignity and integrity toward patients and with her fellow employees, and she is deserving of this recognition.

Dee Dee Yates, LPN – Triage Nurse, Adrian FCC

January 2023

Dee Dee is a triage nurse with Family Care Clinics working at the Adrian clinic at 102 East Main. Her team members say she is an upbeat, positive person who brightens the mood of everyone around her. She is always willing to go where she is needed, stays late to make sure all work is done, and she is always kind and caring to patients. Dee Dee has worked for BCMH since 2009 when she took a position with Dr. Miller at Nursery Street as a triage nurse at the then newly-formed Family Care Clinics (Nursery Street). During her tenure with Family Care Clinics, Dee Dee has also worked as a screening nurse, and in 2021 she took the role of triage nurse for the Adrian clinic. Dee Dee resides with her husband in rural Adrian and they have two children, six grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Dee Dee continuously demonstrates the values BCMH is committed to in treating others with respect and compassion, and she is deserving of this recognition.