WHGH staff honoured for their dedication to patient care and teamwork
(WHGH) – January 17, 2023 – Unwavering commitment to patient care and their colleagues was the primary theme of the nominees and recipients of the 2022 West Haldimand General Hospital Quality Award of Excellence, which honours outstanding service.
Patti Emslie has worked for the past five years as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO and Liaison to the Boards of Directors.
Nominated by her colleagues, Patti was ultimately selected as the 2022 winner among a list of exceptional nominees at West Haldimand General Hospital (WHGH).
“I am very humbled and honoured to be acknowledged in this way,” said Patti. “I’m still in awe. To be nominated by my WHGH family means everything to me. These are the people I work with day in and day out and who see me at my best and “not so”. It’s pretty incredible to be acknowledged by colleagues in such a way.”
(Photo left to right: Todd Stepanuik, President & CEO; Patti Emslie; and Jennifer Edwards, Director of Quality, Clinical Practice and Infection Prevention and Control)
At the award ceremony held on December 14, 2022, Patti received a second surprise by having both of her sisters in attendance to celebrate the significant moment.
“It was extra special to have my sisters – Dale Vecero and Dianne Strohm, in attendance. We’re a very close family, and I was particularly touched they could be there. Both sisters have lived and worked in the community their entire lives. They volunteer with the Auxiliary as well as on a hospital committee and have very high regard for WHGH.”
West Haldimand General Hospital’s Quality Award of Excellence is presented each year to an outstanding employee or a team that shows passion and commitment to improving the quality of care, leads by example, and inspires others. The Award nominees and winners are also voted entirely by their peers.
Family physician Dr. Nic Cloete was also named this year’s recipient of the Quality Award of Excellence. Dr. Cloete was the first ever physician to win the award.
Dr. Cloete was nominated by his peers, who spoke volumes of his dedication and support at WHGH and the community.
(Photo left to right: Dr. Nic Cloete; Jennifer Edwards, Director of Quality, Clinical Practice and Infection Prevention and Control; and Todd Stepanuik, President & CEO)
West Haldimand General Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging (DI) team was the 2022 group recipient of the Quality Award. The Diagnostic Imaging Team was presented with the quality award of excellence for outstanding commitment to Quality Practice.
“We have grown the ultrasound program and have had a substantial increase in the number of appointments available to the community,” said Erin McNeice, manager of Diagnostic Imaging. “We are now doing breast assessments and making a difference for women who will not have to wait weeks for an appointment. We are on track to increase the total number of exams done in the department by almost 20% this year. We have also done this while experiencing many staffing issues. Our team has grown tremendously and we have added staff who share in our values. Every staff member in this department has contributed to improving the care we provide.”
Our phenomenal radiological technologists perform a variety of diagnostic imaging procedures, including X-rays, mammography, and Electrocardiograms (ECG). We also have Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (DMS) who perform Ultrasounds.
Last year alone, our amazing DI team performed over 3,500 Ultrasounds, more than 10,860 X-Rays, nearly 1,500 Mammograms, and over 2,600 ECGs!
“I want to say a big congratulations to the entire team,” said McNeice. “We have made it through another difficult year together. We have had many challenges and ups and downs but we continue to laugh and smile and support each other and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of such a wonderful group of people.”
We also acknowledge and award employees and physicians for their longstanding service at WHGH and celebrate retirement as an important milestone.
“I would like to congratulate all of the nominees and recipients of the Quality Award of Excellence,” said Todd Stepanuik, President and CEO. “To be recognized by your peers and colleagues for the outstanding work you do every day is a reason to celebrate. Our staff and physicians strive daily to fulfill our mission, which is to ensure access to quality health care for everyone who enters our doors. And I am extremely proud and inspired by the teamwork and dedication that’s carried out everyday at WHGH.”
A total of 25 employees were honoured for their time spent at the hospital, adding up to nearly 210 years of service. Two of the employees were recognized for between 20 and 25 years of employment. At the awards ceremony, WHGH also honoured six employees who retired this past year.
