Lower Keys Medical Center recently held its annual associate recognition dinner at the Grand Key Double Tree Resort. Employees honored at the event were praised for their commitment, compassion and loyalty by Robin Lockwood, M.D., Chairman of the Board, and Michael McIvor, M.D., Chief of Staff.

Forty individuals were recognized for achieving five-year milestones in service – 5 years, 10 years, all the way to 30 years of service. Collectively, the honorees have cared for patients and the Key West community for 390 years.

“Words cannot adequately express the appreciation we have for the important role that these individuals play in the health of our community and this hospital,” said Lockwood. “Each employee is integral to the success of this hospital, our community, and most importantly, the health of our patients. Their commitment to excellence and to the provision of the highest quality of care is essential to the success of our hospital and our community.”

In addition to the service awards, several employees received special recognition.

• Angelina Ashler, RN, clinical coordinator, was honored as the employee of the year. Ashler, who originally joined the organization in 2008, took on numerous added duties during the past year as interim director of the medical/surgical and intensive care units. Bringing the perspective of a bedside nurse to her role as a nurse leader, Ashler focuses on communication and servant leadership.
• Sandy Rodriguez, RN, CEN, director of emergency services and respiratory therapy, received the clinical manager of the year award. Rodriguez, who joined LKMC in 1993 as a staff nurse in the intensive care unit, has also worked the night shift in the ER as well as serving as director of the intensive care unit. She has led the ER since 2005, with the respiratory care department added to her responsibilities in 2014. During the past year, under Rodriguez’s leadership, the ER staff has decreased wait time for patients while continuing their focus on providing the highest quality of care.
• Donna Snapp, RN, CMUP (certified meaningful use professional), who is director of information services and clinical analyst, was recognized as non-clinical manager of the year. Snapp, who joined the hospital in 2013 as the RN clinical analyst, assumed leadership of the information services department in February 2015. She has led the organization through the process of implementing numerous new systems and initiatives related to improving patient care through electronic medical records.

The most prestigious honor of the evening went to Lynda Delph, R.N., who received the Frank Houtman Award for loyalty, outstanding service and commitment to patients as well as the community. Delph, a charge nurse in the emergency department, joined the hospital in 1998 as a staff nurse. She transferred to emergency services in 2002 and has been the day shift charge nurse since 2008. Named for a long-time hospital volunteer who was much beloved, the award was established in honor of Houtman’s life and spirit. The award is now presented in his memory as Houtman passed away on August 18, 2015.

Among the hospital staff’s accomplishments in 2015 were caring for 23,000 patients who came to the emergency room for care, helping women bring 526 infants into the world, and performing needed surgery on more than 2,800 individuals.

Following are the hospital employees recognized for years of service.

Thirty Years:
Niki Bremberg
Rick Rains

Twenty-Five Years:
Barbara Perloff
Nancy Ross
Gina Sellers

Twenty Years:
Andrea Carraway
Sara Phillips

Fifteen Years:
Courtney Prine
Florence Quenin

Ten Years:
Michelle Brown
Donald Canalejo
Isabelle Charles
Susan Hall
Darlene Larson
Brigitte Pradella

Five Years
Mary Anne Barrier
Shan Bassion
Carly Bervaldi
Monica Brown
Margarett Casler
Ashley Chamberlain
Rosa Diaz
Krista Fuller
Conor Gorham
Erling Hernandez
Ilona Jaroszewics
Eglis Lebrigio Oliva
Kyle Malone
Heidi McDurmon
Chantel McFarland Bauer
Terri Monaghan
Erica Paulus
David Riban
Beth Rodriguez
Kelly Sawyer Wait Pollack
Lynne Shadduck
Tammy Staples
Jennifer Thomas
Catherine Thorpe
Paula Turner

About Lower Keys Medical Center
Lower Keys Medical Center (LKMC) is a 167-bed full-service acute-care medical facility accredited by The Joint Commission. Recognized nationally for high quality care, the hospital has been awarded The Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® in the areas of heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and immunization. Serving a primary service area that includes the Lower Keys south of the seven-mile bridge, the hospital provides 24/7 emergency care and is the only hospital in the Florida Keys providing labor and delivery services. As the largest private employer in Monroe County, the hospital provides more than 500 jobs. The direct impact to the local economy through wages, taxes, capital investments and purchase of local goods and services is more than $75 million dollars. More information is available at the website: http://www.lkmc.com