KAWARTHA LAKES-Ross Memorial Hospital hosted its annual Long Service and Excellence Awards in the hospital’s cafeteria today.
The awards celebrate RMH staff and physicians marking significant milestones at the hospital, along with individuals nominated by their peers in specific categories of excellence.
The 121 Long Service Award recipients this year are staff and physicians who have worked at Ross Memorial for a minimum of 5 years, and up to 40 years. The two longest-tenured employees who were celebrated are Leanne Harding, Manager of Infection Prevention and Control, and Fiona Rossaert, Diagnostic Imaging, both having been with the hospital for 40 years. The accumulative number of years served by the 121 Long Service Award recipients is 1,675 years.
“I really love what I do. I enjoy the Infection Prevention and Wound Care part of my job. I think the reason I’ve stayed all this time is because everybody has been really good to me and allowed me to pursue some exciting challenges and advance my career – it has been very rewarding. It seems really cliché, but for those of us who have been here a long time, this is our second home. We’re kind of like a big family in the sense that we support each other as best we can. I feel very supported by my colleagues and management.” commented Leanne Harding, Manager of Infection Prevention and Control, Ross Memorial Hospital
Harding, who received a standing ovation, also won a Team Player Excellence Award, one of 21 Excellence Awards presented to 18 RMH staff members.
“We are very proud of our Long Service Award recipients and their commitment to Ross Memorial Hospital. Seeing their dedication in achieving the high standards we set out for ourselves is inspiring, and reinforces the importance of the work being done here at the hospital. Each of their professional journeys have been unique, and as the global pandemic has highlighted, new challenges always present themselves. Time and time again, they’ve risen to meet and exceed those challenges. It was a pleasure to recognize some of those specific triumphs through our Excellence Award recipients and have a platform to share their stories and experiences.” said Kelly Isfan, President & CEO, Ross Memorial Hospital
A full list of the Long Service Award recipients can be found here: https://rmh.org/document/long-service-award-recipients-2021
RMH’s Excellence Awards recognize employees, physicians, volunteers and community partners whose efforts inspire those around them. Through their actions, their words, their gestures and their support, they have gained our respect as Ross Champions.
Lorah Otter, a Registered Practical Nurse, earned two Excellence Awards for her work as the on-site lead at Ross Memorial’s drive-thru vaccination clinic at the LEX. More than 63,000 vaccinations were completed at the site between March-August this year. Otter received nominations from multiple co-workers who stated her leadership, adaptability, and can-do attitude were essential to the vaccine clinic’s successful operation.
“Organizing the drive-thru vaccination clinic at the LEX and making sure thousands of local people got protection in a safe and timely manner was a challenging task, but there was a tremendous sense of pride that we were able to accomplish it. We definitely had the best team possible to make it run smoothly and efficiently. It has been great to hear all the positive feedback from the community and to be recognized with Excellence Awards from the hospital.” stated Lorah Otter, RPN, Ross Memorial Hospital
Taking part in the awards ceremony on behalf of the City of Kawartha Lakes was Mayor Andy Letham and CAO Ron Taylor. Wanda Percival, Chair of RMH’s Board of Governors, and Ryan O’Neil, Chair of the RMH Foundation, also provided remarks during the event.
“A hospital is only as good as the people inside of it, we are lucky to have some very special people at Ross Memorial. On behalf of myself and Council, I would like to thank the long-serving staff for their ongoing dedication to our community,” said Mayor Andy Letham, City of Kawartha Lakes
