DOTHAN – Ten area hospital employees were recently honored for their dedication to the health care field at a luncheon in Dothan hosted by the Southeast Alabama Regional Hospital Council of the Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA).

Two of the 10 recipients were from Troy Regional Medical Center: CEO Teresa Grimes and Pamela Hicks, RT, department manager for cardiopulmonary.

The luncheon is one of seven regional awards presentations being held in November and December as part of the association’s eighth-annual statewide “Hospital Heroes” contest, an effort to recognize the great accomplishments and compassion of hospital employees and to highlight health careers. The contest will culminate with a banquet in February where up to 10 of the regional winners will be honored as statewide heroes.

“Throughout Alabama, our hospitals are filled with caregivers that make each of their patients and co-workers feel special, that go beyond the call of duty to make sure their hospitals deliver the best quality health care,” said J. Michael Horsley, FACHE, president of the Alabama Hospital Association. “The task of choosing only 10 from each area is extremely difficult, but we are honored to be able to recognize a few health care workers in each region that passionately serve their patients and work to raise the bar in their facilities.”

Southeast Alabama honorees included: Jeffrey Maloy, RN, BSN, medical outpatient nurse, Flowers Hospital, Dothan; Betty Reynolds, housekeeper, Flowers Hospital, Dothan; Mary Vibbert, RN, clinical supervisor, Flowers Hospital, Dothan; Becky J. Peterson, scheduler, Medical Center Enterprise, Enterprise; Dorothy Webster, unit secretary, Medical Center Enterprise, Enterprise; Margaret Helms, environmental services specialist, Southeast Alabama Medical Center, Dothan; Howard Nix, behavioral medicine unit technician, Southeast Alabama Medical Center, Dothan; Recetia McGary, teacher’s assistant, Southeast Alabama Medical Center, Dothan; Teresa Grimes, RN, MBA, CEO, Troy Regional Medical Center, Troy; and Pamela Hicks, RT, department manager for cardiopulmonary, Troy Regional Medical Center, Troy.

Grimes, RN, MBA, a 30-year-veteran of the health care industry, is the current CEO of Troy Regional Medical Center. She is described by her staff as a “leader who brings not only knowledge of the health care industry, but also a sense of loyalty and commitment to her staff and the patients at Troy Regional Medical Center.” Despite her busy work schedule, Ms. Grimes finds time to serve her community as an active volunteer with the youth in her church and as a missionary to foreign countries. Ms. Grimes participates in mission trips to Mexico and Nicaragua where she delivers much needed health care services to villages along with donated medical items. Ms. Grimes is depicted as “a leader who walks the walk in her commitment to God, family and friends each and every day.” She has been known to stay in her office until late at night because she promised an employee she would make time for them. An employee of the Medical Center explained, “She is the leader we would all like to be.”

Hicks, department manager for cardiopulmonary at Troy Regional Medical Center, spends her days scheduling 24-hour cardiopulmonary coverage at the Medical Center, preparing payroll for her department, monitoring the budget and much more. Ms. Hicks is said to never hesitate to cover additional shifts if her department needs it. She is described by employees as a manager who would “not ask anyone to do something she herself would not do.” In addition to her duties and responsibilities as manager, Ms. Hicks also serves on the Customer Service Committee, Relay for Life Team, Beautification Committee and many more committees at the Medical Center. She actively participates as an instructor during the skills fair each year and helps educate clinical staff on the treatment and care of patients. Outside of the hospital, Ms. Hicks is active in her church with the children’s programs and is a member of the choir and mission team. Her friends, family and co-workers describe her as a hard worker who always leads by example and wears a smile and a positive attitude each and every day.

The Alabama Hospital Association, based in Montgomery, is a statewide trade organization that represents more than 100 hospitals and numerous other health care providers.