For a person who loves bluegrass music, Teresa Ellis’ recent trip to Nashville, Tenn., was a dream come true. Even though she was there as Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital’s 2008 Employee of the Year and was a guest of Community Health Systems, she says the Grand Old Opry was the “very best thing” about her all-expense paid trip.
Ellis, a 12 ½-year employee of SSMH, was chosen for the honor soon after CHS, a Franklin, Tenn.-based company, purchased SSMH from the city of Siloam Springs, effective Feb. 1.
Ellis and her husband, Jack, arrived in Nashville on Feb. 26 for their weekend stay at the gigantic and opulent Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, where CHS’ 20th Annual Employee of the Year Celebration was held. The flight from Northwest Regional Airport to Nashville was the couple’s first time to fly.
Along with loads of “true Southern hospitality,” the couple received up to $50 per day for telephone calls from their room, a $250 per day food allowance, a CHS gift bag filled with goodies and free sightseeing tours around Nashville.
A Friday night reception provided country music star impersonators with whom guests and honorees could have photos taken. Following was a dinner, and Ellis was surprised to find that she and her husband were seated at the table with Wayne Smith, CHS chairman, president and chief executive officer. “He was so kind and welcoming and made us laugh with his jokes,” she said.
During the awards ceremony, the honored employees of the year were recognized from CHS’ approximately 120 affiliated hospitals. Ellis received a pin and a plaque which had a $100 bill attached to the back and a bonus check.
Ellis, who is a certified dietary manager with the nutrition services unit at SSMH, said the other honorees were as diverse as groundskeepers, maintenance engineers, master cooks, data entry personnel, human resource assistants, MRI schedulers, house supervisors, registered nurses, technology specialists and more.
A passage in the awards program booklet stated:
“Health care is a rewarding field but it requires a special blend of great people skills, tireless energy and the ability to work well under pressure.
“Each stands out for unique reasons and has earned the utmost respect amongst fellow co-workers and leaders.”
Ellis said she wants her SSMH co-workers to know how special this honor is so they can work toward it.