Press Release

River Parishes Hospital recently held its 4th bi-monthly Service Excellence Celebration and named its four Star employee, Sharon Cortez of Cardiopulmonary.

This celebration focused on projecting a positive first impression. Claudette Henry, Service Excellence Assistant and Patient Advocate, explained that a positive or negative first impression often determines a person’s entire perception of the hospital. Employees should project a positive appearance, make eye contact with their customers and always extend a warm greeting. Hospital employees then performed skits showing positive and negative first impressions.

Henry announced the winners of the drawings for $5 gift certificates to the hospital gift shop, which were awarded to employees for parking in designated employee parking areas. The six winners were: Tina Bland, Case Management; Anna Keating, Marketing; Harris Cassagne, Maintenance; Lisa Millet, Human Resources; Rhonda Burns, Surgery; and Jennifer Braun, Lab. An additional drawing for a $25 Wal-Mart gift certificate was held from all employees who were caught parking in the designated areas. This prize went to Harris Cassagne of the Maintenance Department.

Robert Prehn, PhD., hospital CEO, took the floor and introduced Marc Miller, Regional Vice President of Acute Care Hospitals at Universal Health Services, Inc., which is the hospital’s parent corporation. Miller said that he has enjoyed touring the hospital and being a part of the Service Excellence Celebration. “Walking through the hospital, I can see that you all take pride in where you work,” said Miller.

“I have spoken from day one about the importance of this program,” said Prehn. “It is a high point for an administrator to be able to recognize employees who truly epitomize Service Excellence. They are the best of the best.”

Prehn then announced the hospital’s 4-Star employee, Sharon Cortez of Cardiopulmonary. Cortez was nominated by her manager and two co-workers for stepping up to the plate whenever a challenge arises, going beyond the call of duty everyday and going out of her way to complete her duties and make every situation pleasant.

“Sharon shows tremendous patience and has a love to serve all those she encounters,” said Earl Dillon, Cardiopulmonary Director. “She is well deserving of this award and shows true Service Excellence everyday.”

“I really enjoy working at River Parishes Hospital,” said Cortez. “After 19 years of working with my coworkers and members of the community who come to our facility, I feel like I am part of a large extended family. Receiving the 4-Star award is like the icing on the cake.”