A salute to the North Texas hospital workforce, the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council (DFWHC) Foundation’s 25th Annual Employee of the Year Luncheon was held April 19 at the Hurst Conference Center. More than 600 attendees turned out to honor 120 nominees and 14 award recipients from health systems across the region.

“We hope this day was as memorable and inspiring for the nominees as it was for us,” said Jen Miff, president of the DFWHC Foundation. “The Foundation is a strong proponent for workforce programs that make a difference in the quality of care for all North Texans. Today’s recognition is critical to boost staff morale, retain a strong workforce and honor the roles of each and every employee who contributes to the successful delivery of patient care, whether at the front line or behind the scenes. All of these nominees deserved to be recognized and it was our honor to applaud them during this luncheon.”

Christine Cashen served as keynote speaker in support of the theme “Celebration of Service.” Becky Tucker, senior vice president channel integration at Texas Health Resources and chair of the DFWHC and DFWHC Foundation Boards, served as master of ceremonies.

One of the highlights was the introduction of Dallas Police Officer Sgt. Robert Rangel to open the program. Sgt. Rangel was onsite at Methodist Dallas Medical Center on October 22, 2022, when two hospitals employees were killed in a shooting on the fourth floor. He was able to injure the suspect and defuse the dangerous situation. The audience gave him a standing ovation.

Award recipients included:

Rex McRae Scholarship
• Nikki Uribe, ICU Extern, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center

Physician Award
• Dr. Danny C. Holland, Methodist Dallas Medical Center

Volunteer Award
• Sharon Callahan, Methodist Richardson Medical Center

Preceptor Award
• Delaney Massey, Registered Nurse – ICU/CCU, Parkland Health

System Award
• Angela Vincent Michael, Director Performance Improvement, Methodist Health System

Community Service Award
• Charmie Faith Frykman, Registered Nurse, UT Southwestern University Hospitals

Special Recognition Awards
• Michelle Garrett, Patient Care Technician, Methodist Midlothian Medical Center
• Natalia De Villa Pulido, Registered Nurse, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – McKinney
• Julie Green, Pathology Assistant, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center
• Sonya Manibusan, Volunteer/Guest Services, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas

Employee of the Year Awards
• Gereldene Dodson, Registered Nurse, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman
• Stephen Aryeetey, Registered Nurse, Medical City Las Colinas
• Beth Stewart, Nursing Supervisor, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital HEB
• Sarah Gartner, Nursing Operations Specialist, Parkland Health

Board members of the North Texas Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives judged the blinded nominations on March 7. Individual and hospital names were removed in advance and selections were based entirely on the facts presented within the form letter. Nominees were separated into four categories of hospitals including 1-99 beds, 100-250 beds, 251-499 beds and 500-plus beds.

Top sponsors of the event were Hall Render, FORVIS, GroupOne Background Screening, Konica Minolta, Baylor Scott & White Health, Children’s Health, Cook Children’s, Methodist Health System, Parkland Health and Texas Health Resources. Additional sponsors included JPS Health Network, Kindred Hospitals, Medical City Healthcare and UT Southwestern University Hospitals.

All photographs by Jerry McClure.