PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Twenty-four employees of Northern Light AR Gould Hospital were welcomed into a “Veterans-In-Partnership” or VIP group at the hospital recently. While all employees are considered very important at the organization, this impressive group is the hospital’s most tenured, all having achieved the status of 20 years or more of service.
“This organization would not be what we are without each of you,” said Greg LaFrancois, president, to all the employees gathered at the annual December VIP breakfast. “While having the technology needed to treat our patients is certainly important, all of you are the hospital’s most important resource. Your commitment, loyalty, and leadership to new team members is invaluable.”
The number of VIPs fluctuates as employees retire and others are welcomed into the ranks. Currently, there are about 162 team members considered VIPs – that’s about 15 percent of the non-profit healthcare organization’s workforce.
New “veterans” welcomed into this elite club for 2019 were, from Presque Isle: Amy Carlisle, Inpatient Care Coordination; Rhonda Cash, Materials Management; Gloria Fletcher, Day Surgery; Steven Griffin, Environmental Services; Lucy Richard, Women’s Health; Jennifer Robichaud, Pediatrics; Carleen Saucier, Primary Care, Presque Isle; and Heather Winslow, Day Surgery.
Also named VIPs were: Carrie Bell of Caribou, Primary Care, Fort Fairfield; Kimberly Boxwell of Wade, Laundry Services; Anita Brooker of Westfield, Acute Rehabilitation; Bronica Dow of Bridgewater, Continuing Care, Mars Hill; Evelyn Dow of Washburn, Inpatient Pharmacy; Glenda Dwyer of Ashland, Administration; Warren Grass of Mars Hill, Medical Transport; Rebecca Holcombe of Bridgewater, Food Services, Mars Hill; Sarah Huoppi of Chapman, Health Information Management; Marcy Lamoreau of Easton, Rehabilitation and Therapy; Elizabeth Lindsay of Linneus, Sleep Diagnostics; Emily Lowell of Chapman, Outpatient Specialty Clinics; Kelly Lundeen of Mars Hill, Continuing Care, Mars Hill; Erika McGann of Mapleton, Day Surgery; Deborah Philbrook of Woodland, Primary Care, Presque Isle; Bonita Taggett of Fort Fairfield, Environmental Services; and Cleo Zaccardi of Mars Hill, Urology.
Each new VIP received a small gift in appreciation of their lengthy service for the organization.
The hospital’s senior leaders also each spoke to the group, which included both the new inductees and many veteran members of the distinguished club. Each shared words of appreciation for the commitment these employees have shown to the organization and to the care of those in the community.
Submitted by the Communications Office of Northern Light AR Gould Hospital.
