GAINESVILLE, TX – North Texas Medical Center recently celebrated National Hospital Week with special activities for their staff and the annual Employee Recognition Ceremony.
The ceremony included recognition of employees who reached milestones in service years at NTMC, as well as several special awards.
The Employee of the Year for 2022 was Roberta Sanchez, the Nurse of the Year was Dianne Brown, the Director of the Year was Kristi Rigsby, and Rigsby also was named the Dan Wilford Award for Community Service winner.
Sanchez was presented her award by Chief Nursing Officer Bonnie Hess, who said she was perfect to take on the role of nurse educator.
“Roberta is strong, a self-starter who loves a project, dedicated, and a perfectionist. I would like to personally thank her for the time and effort she has put in to elevate the entire hospital to new heights through mock drills, a robust clinical orientation, streamlining HealthStream and launching numerous educational offerings.”
Hess also presented the Nurse of the Year award to Brown.
“Dianne truly exemplifies everything a nurse should be,” Hess said. “She is kind, considerate, goes above and beyond for patients and has a wonderful attitude. Most importantly, she never stops advocating for patients.”
NTMC CEO Tom Sledge presented Rigsby her two awards, the first for Director of the Year.
“Kristi has been dedicated to our clinic and this community. She has gone above and beyond to help the clinics grow and become successful,” Sledge said. “She has been and is always caring and compassionate with her staff. She is a valuable member of the team here at NTMC. She has improved the communication from the clinics and with the physicians since taking over.”
The Dan Wilford Award recognizes not only an employee’s importance to the hospital, but also the work they do in the community. Sledge noted that Rigsby has spent countless hours volunteering on various boards including Butterfield Stage Players and the Boys and Girls Club of Cooke County.
“She loves NTMC, she loves our patients, she loves the citizens of Cooke County, and it shows in everything she does,” Sledge said of Rigsby. “She is almost always one of the first to volunteer her time when the hospital is hosting an event. She has recently taken over our Complete Care Rural Health Clinics and the community is buzzing about the exceptional quality care they keep receiving from our offices. Kristi’s contributions to NTMC have drastically improved the quality of care our patients receive.”
Twelve NTMC employees were honored for five years of service including Tressie Adair, Carol Barker, Jessica Fisher, Dr. Bhupinder Khaira, Kim Mellinger, Susan Moss, Lucy Partain, David Robinson, Lindsey Vige, Dr. Christian Vissers, Ruth Williams and Vanessa Zimmerer.
Employees honored for 10 years of service included Wayne Smith, Stacey Spruill and April Trammell.
Those with 15 years of service included Christy Daughtry, Roberta Sanchez and Jana Sudderth.
Kristie Bayer was honored for her 30 years of service at NTMC.
This year’s theme for Hospital Week was “A Legacy of Care-acters” and special activities were planned each day. Employees enjoyed food treats including sweets, chips and sodas. A hamburger cookout was held, sponsored by Heart to Heart Hospice and Pecan Tree Health and Rehab. On the final day, Happy Dogs Corn Dogs brought their food truck and served meals to all employees, and Kona Ice served shaved ice to staff on Friday afternoon.
National Hospital Week is an opportunity to highlight hospitals, health systems, and health care workers and the innovative ways they are supporting and connected to their community.
Employee of the Year Roberta Sanchez
Nurse of the Year Dianne Brown
Director of the Year and Dan Wilford Award – Kristi Rigsby
5-Year Service
10-Year Service
15-Year Service
30-Year Service
