Peidmont Athens Regional wins top award

Piedmont Athens Regional recently hosted their annual Promise 360 Awards Celebration. The event recognized the hospital’s monthly winners from the past year and named the overall champion for the year for the hospital and two runners-up. Hospital leaders also recognized 23 employees who have served at Piedmont Athens for more than 30 years.

Hallie Chestnut, a Patient Care Tech and Unit Secretary in the Family Care Center, was named the overall champion for the year. She was nominated by her coworkers and a patient after the patient’s baby became unresponsive and Hallie’s quick actions saved the baby’s life.

“Hallie’s initial reactions to the situation were all clinical and reflective of her training,” said Michael Burnett, CEO of Piedmont Athens. “But, they were immediately followed by kindness and compassion as she stayed with the mother giving her comfort while the baby was taken to the NICU. It was a moment that made a positive difference to a mother who had just witnessed her newborn in a life-threatening situation.”

The two runners-up were Tim Gillespie and Yahaira Ramirez.

Gillespie, an environmental services attendant, was nominated for his quick thinking and decisive action while cleaning a patient’s room. Gillespie noticed the patient pull out his tracheotomy tube and disconnect from the oxygen. He rushed from the room to get a nurse, helping to save the patient’s life.

Ramirez, a patient care tech on Piedmont Athens Regional’s oncology unit, was recognized for her support of a family with a very sick baby in the neonatal intensive care unit. Decisions about the baby’s care were happening quickly and there was a language barrier between the family who only spoke Spanish. Overhearing the need for someone to help translate for the family, Ramirez volunteered and stayed with the family throughout the day, even past the end of her shift, to make sure they fully understood the care plan for their baby.

“These three individuals, and really all of the monthly champions who were recognized, are all excellent examples of Piedmont’s commitment to caring for our patients and the community,” said Burnett. “The entire team at Piedmont Athens performs incredible acts like this, day in and day out, showing their resiliency and commitment to outstanding patient care.”

Patients, visitors, fellow staff members or department leaders can nominate employees who go above and beyond for others for a Promise 360 award. The overall winner from each hospital in the Piedmont system becomes a nominee for the President’s Award which will be presented in October.

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