November 2007 - Rhonda Gilliam
Staff Accountant

Rhonda is a great asset to the MCHD accounting department.  She is charged with processing all invoices and check requests, insuring that our vendors are paid on time.  She comes to work each day with a positive attitude and works diligently to make sure that all District obligations are paid current each month.  This year, “accounts payable” has gone virtually paperless, so Rhonda has had to learn and incorporate two new systems into her daily routine.  Rhonda has been instrumental this year in training the staff on the new Purchase Order and Projects Modules.  She was extremely patient with co-workers during this training, providing one-on-one sessions when needed.  During this process, Rhonda communicated the issues to the rest of the department to keep us all informed of the status.

In addition to her personal job responsibilities, Rhonda has been cross-trained and takes on many of the duties of the senior staff accountant position when that staff member is out of the office.  She has also acted as a facilitator during staff brainstorming projects as part of our Journey to Excellence.  Family is important to Rhonda, but she sometimes has to sacrifice time spent with them in order to meet shorter deadlines at work, due to upcoming holidays or other days that MCHD offices would be normally be open.  We do not hear her complain about this situation.  Rhonda is calm and soft-spoken at the office and she displays a laid-back, peaceful demeanor that makes others want to work with her.  

October 2007 - Kevin Nutt
In Charge Paramedic

Kevin has served the citizens of Montgomery County since July of 2001.   His high level of dedication and determination are admirable.  kevin supervisor reports " I  recently have had the opportunity to witness Kevin precepting a Paramedic student assigned to him. Kevin did an outstanding job mentoring the student and he has all the required skills to be a successful FTO."  Kevin represents all of which MCHD requires out of its preceptors.  We are proud of his ability to mentor the future of EMS.   As his supervisor reports "I am grateful for the opportunity to work along side of him."

September 2007 - Scott Pelczar
Paramedic III

August 2007 - Connie Case
Clinical Educator

Connie is a long time MCHD employee.  Formerly an In Charge Paramedic, Connie has served as a Clinical Educator for several years.   During the deployment of Hurricane Dean when other Clinical Department personnel were deployed, Connie stepped up to the plate to fill others' shoes.  The did this without any hesitation—even before she was asked.  This is particularly impressive given all that was already on her plate - EMT-Intermediate class, Continuing Education classes, "card courses", new hire testing, and New Employee Orientation.  

Connie is always ready to assist in treating patients in Healthcare Assistance Program office and went beyond expectation to call the local hospital to provide updated informatin about a patient.  She consistently exhibits an aire of service before self interest.   She serves on the Recruitment and Retention committee.   She always makes time to help people out and truly takes ownership of people’s problems and works to help find solutions.

July 2007 - Letty Sulley
Billing Representative

Letty is an employee that puts in 110% effort everyday in whatever she does. Sometimes the workload in the billing department can be overwhelming but you will never hear Letty complain. She steps up with suggestions on ways to streamline processes or creative ideas to achieve department goals. She comes to work day in and day out with a positive attitude and she rarely if ever says anything negative about anyone. She has fantastic customer service skills when dealing with patients and their family members concerning billing issues. She is very professional when dealing with facility staff members and insurance company reps over the phone. She doesn’t hesitate to put in extra time to complete a task or to ensure that the billing department meets the monthly closing deadline. She is very much the team player not only in the billing department but has been active in different committees here at MCHD. When commendations of field staff are given by patients and family members she takes the extra step to inform the appropriate personnel. It’s very hard to pick just one incident that qualifies her for this recognition. Her great work ethic, positive attitude, dedication to MCHD and consistent quality of work in the billing department is part of who she is and is apparent everyday she comes to work.  She is first in line to commend her co-workers and other MCHD staff for a job well done.  We want to recognize her consistent outstanding performance!  

June 2007 - Jason Grindstaff
Dispatcher

Jason has been a Dispatcher for MCHD for several years.   He converted to part time when he completed the Police Academy and started working for the Montgomery Police Department.   In that capacity, he also serves as a First Responder.   Jason works 2-3 part time shifts for MCHD every week.  Jason is always cooperative and is always a reliable source during an emergency.  This month especially, Jason has sacrificed his personal time in order to help his fellow employees.  He left part of the way through his shift so that he may come back later that night in order to fill in for a sick dispatcher overnight.  This is just another example of his placement of MCHD above his personal interests. 

The District well during one of his police shifts this week when he responded to an electrocution.  Jason immediately risked his own safety to remove the patient from a dangerous area, began appropriate treatment, and even defibrillated the patient prior to the ambulance arrival.   The employee that nominated Jason stated, "Mr. Grindstaff is one of the reasons that I am proud to work at MCHD.  When part time employees demonstrate dedication at such a high level it is impossible for that passion not to be contagious"

May 2007 - Traci Hurst
Senior Accountant

Traci has been a fixture here at MCHD for many years and has done her job despite the changes we have all been through. She is a plethora of information and knows how, when and where each dollar is spent. Her knowledge of how MCHD works has contributed to the success of many endeavors that have been implemented to keep MCHD moving forward in their quest to serve the patients in this community with excellence in patient care, to keep in mind the people that pay the taxes that support that progressive nature, and to always stay true to MCHD.

Traci is a friendly person, always willing to make your job easier. She shares her experience willingly and goes out of her way to accommodate the ideas and needs of many people in the Administration Office.  She handles her job duties with a sense of humor and dedication to completing the task in a timely manner with follow through that is second nature to her. Traci is focused, determined, and capable in her job.

April 2007 - Ricky Wood
Field Supervisor

Ricky has served the District since 1988.   In addition to his duties as a Field Supervisor, Ricky coordinates the District support for local law enforcement SWAT teams.   Ricky has highe expectations for clinical oversight and supporting those he works with.   He is committed to customer service and always ends phone calls with "is there anything else I can do for you."    The person that nominated Ricky relayed a recent personal experience in which Ricky went out of his way to meet an employee's needs.  "I had a severe sinus headache on duty.  We were really short handed and really busy that day.  About half way through the day, my medicine wore off and I was in pretty bad shape.  Ricky responed to a call with us and inquired how I was feeling and if I needed to go home.  I told him I would be o.k.  We transported our patient to the E.R. and by the time we got to triage, Ricky had gone and picked up some sinus medicine and brought it to me there.  I think this went well above what was expected of him as a supervisor.  Although, I wasn't suprised since Ricky has always been there to help us when we've needed it, it was really nice to see that he cared."

March 2007 - Rebecca Hoots
In Charge Paramedic

Rebecca always comes to work ready and willing to take the shift on no matter what is to come.  She always comes in on time with her uniform pressed and looking very professional.  She comes in with a great attitude and we completely take the truck apart and clean it as if it were her own. She is always courteous to the firemen, Law Enforcement and most of all, the patient's and their families. Rebecca works well under pressure and always has it together when times are rough as in a difficult call. Rebecca is very well educated and always answers questions that are posed to her and avoids making people feel intimidated.  Rebecca treats others as her equal.  Rebecca is a hard worker and is efficient in every task that she is faced with. A coworker stated that he enjoys working with her and would want her to take care of their family members if the time ever called for it.  They felt that she needs to be recognized for her outstanding abilities and exceptional job that she does, stating we all could learn something from her and that she sets a positive example for all EMS. Congratulations and thanks for doing such a great  job.

February 2007 - Cowinners
Jack Maddox
Paramedic III

Jack Maddox has been an a committed employee of MCHD for almost 23 years.   Jack goes the extra mile with his patients and is a wonderful role model for all MCHD employees.  On a recent shift, a patient’s husband did not have enough gas to get to the hospital and back home.  Jack reached into his pocket without hesitation and gave the patient’s husband gas money so he could follow us to the hospital. 

Jack consistently conveys a positive attitude and a smile on his face.  In addition to his field work, Jack proudly helps to coordinate our annual employee picnic.  He serves his community as a youth baseball coach and is always willing to help someone in need.  Students consistently praise Jack for his willingness to mentor them and help them fulfill their professional ambitions.  For as many years as Jack has worked for MCHD, he has been viewed as a man who truly loves what he does no matter what time of day or night!  Jack is a wonderful role model.  Jack is the prime example of the meaning “Making a Difference!” 

Terry Carpenter
In Charge Paramedic

Terry Carpenter joined MCHD in 2001.  Although he has earned praise for his work ethic and professionalism before, he continues to display a consistent professional standard to his patient, his crew, and the service as a whole.  A recent paramedic student stated that his instruction was invaluable and as a mentor, Terry allowed the student to exceed the professional standards required in his program.  Terry’s professional appearance and attitude exceed expectations.  His high level of energy, commitment to patient care and customer service, and his level of professionalism is a credit to himself and to the profession of Emergency Medical Services.  Recently, Terry invited a new employee and his family into his home until they were able to get on their feet after moving from out of state.  Terry truly does things for the community and his co-workers out of the goodness of his heart and should be recognized for these efforts.  He is a true example of how our employees “Make a Difference.”

January 2007 - Kevin Lee
Mechanic I

Kevin Lee joined MCHD in March 2003 as a Mechanic’s Helper.   He quickly established a reputation as a hard worker and quick learner.   Kevin dedicated himself to service excellence and professional development.   He successfully completed ASE and EVT certification training and promoted to take on more responsibility. 

Kevin has proved himself a vital part of the skeleton that holds the fleet department together.  He has always taken the time to address the concerns of the field staff with their vehicles.  He cheerfully drops what he’s doing to take care of a small, but important problems they may have and quickly returns to the large jobs he has in progress.   He is consistently cheerful in his work and never displays a poor attitude towards anyone regardless of the situation.   He brings a tenacious and intellectual approach to vehicle maintenance.  His quality of work is excellent.   In nominating him, a fellow employee stated, “Kevin is one of the few employees that I would consider irreplaceable.”    

Congratulations Kevin!