… May 28, 2013
Linda T. Mellowes “Passion for Patient Care” Award Winners Announced
We are proud to announce that Anne Putzer, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Columbia St. Mary’s Intensive
Care Unit/Acuity Adaptable Unit and Emergency Department, has been named the recipient of the
2013 Linda T. Mellowes “Passion for Patient Care” Award. David Goines, Community Health
Worker/Medical Assistant, and John Voelz, Audiovisual Technical Specialist, both received honorable
mention.
The Linda T. Mellowes “Passion for Patient Care” Award was established in 2008 in recognition of Linda
Mellowes’ long-time dedication and exceptional service to Columbia St. Mary’s and the community. It’s
given each year to an employee or volunteer who exemplifies the mission, core values and “Passion for
Patient Care” for which Columbia St. Mary’s is known. Winners and runners-up are nominated by coworkers.
As the winner, Anne Putzer will receive a cash award of $2,000 plus up to $1,000 for advanced training
or a professional development opportunity. The two honorable mentions, David Goines and John
Voelz, will receive up to $1,000 for advanced training or professional development.
Winner: Anne Putzer, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Columbia St. Mary’s ICU,
AAU and Emergency Department
Anne consistently exceeds patient, family and coworker expectations.
She is a highly respected expert nurse and role model and lives the core
value of integrity by recognizing the importance of direct communication
and honesty with her peers and coworkers.
Anne embraces change when it means an improved outcome. She has
been instrumental in the success of major projects such as the opening of
the cardiovascular program on the Ozaukee campus, the raising of the
standard of care in the ED as evidenced by receiving the Trauma Level III
classification, and the coordination of the hypothermia project at
Ozaukee to save lives. Anne also has participated in the development of practice and policy to support
family presence in patient code situations. Patient- and family-centeredness have moved to a level that
allows family members to be at their loved one’s bedside in crisis situations in the ICU, AAU and the
ED, keeping the patient and the family at the center of all we do.
Anne also remains open to seeing others’ points of view. She seeks understanding of the critical
change processes by researching evidence to determine best practice and by being totally engaged in
the changes, recognizing dilemmas and barriers, and working with the teams involved to solve them.
She loves to learn and creates excitement for new services and change.
Anne excels in the core value of Service. She reaches out to help her coworkers and partners in solving
problems, building relationships and is a willing resource for others.
Anne has an eternal smile for everyone, every day and can change our mood and lift us up.
Everyone gains something from Anne’s sharing of herself. She is an outstanding example of how we
can carry some of ourselves from the workplace to our community and to each other.
Honorable Mention: David Goines, Community Health
Worker/Medical Assistant, Columbia St. Mary’s Community Services
David strives to make a difference in the lives of the patients he serves
by modeling the Columbia St. Mary’s Mission of treating patients,
colleagues, and the community with dignity, innovation and respect
for diversity. Whether David is working in a clinical setting, conducting
chronic disease education at community events, assisting at our
Diabetes-Friendly Food Pantry, or working with congregants in our
Urban Church Wellness program, he is always professional and
courteous.
David thrives on the ability to assist those he meets through his work,
including educating patients on their chronic diseases and management of those diseases. His
personality and integrity allow him to build trusting relationships with patients and community
members.
David serves as a role model by exemplifying the Columbia St. Mary’s mission and core values, and
demonstrates standards for his colleagues in customer service, teamwork, communication and
integrity. David welcomes challenges and has the ability to problem solve and communicate with
others to accomplish important tasks. David also looks for the opportunity to learn to better himself
both professionally and personally.
As a community health worker, David makes a positive difference in the health status and lives of
individuals and our community. He has a special concern and passion for the vulnerable, making a
difference in their lives and striving to make our community healthier.
David is a wonderful ambassador to our community and he exemplifies the commitment to excellence
and service we expect from Columbia St. Mary’s associates.
Honorable Mention: John Voelz, Columbia St. Mary’s Audiovisual
Technical Specialist
For more than 30 years, John has embodied Columbia St. Mary’s
values and excellent customer service, making a difference in the
lives of many.
John is unfailingly there for anyone who needs help with an
audiovisual set-up, presentation or photos at a special event. John
has gone above and beyond for years to meet the needs of
physicians, nurses, administrators, and anyone else who needed
his expertise. He has impacted patients with his compassion,
gowned-up in surgery, provided improved learning materials for educators, and attended innumerable
staff and public events, conferences and meetings – he literally goes anywhere and does anything he
can to help people with his technical and photography skills.
John is a master of fixing things and creatively solves problems with equipment and presentations.
Before there was a Help Desk, there was John. He does whatever is needed to contribute to creating a
positive experience for those he helps.
John is truly a giving person and performs many acts of kindness outside the normal scope of his job,
making an impact on patients and coworkers who appreciate the unexpected thoughtfulness. He is
intuitive, recognizing or sensing a need before others, and is extremely knowledgeable and talented.
No matter how difficult the request or how much time it will take, John never says no to any request
for service. He routinely arrives early and stays late in order to accommodate those who need his
service. John always goes above and beyond expectations in his ceaseless devotion to support the
needs of physicians, guests, patients, Columbia St. Mary’s leadership and staff.
John has a soft-spoken, humble manner with an inner desire to do good for others as he exhibits his
kind and positive attitude. He is able to work with a variety of people and make them all feel special.
He is hardworking with a strong ethic combined with honesty and compassion. And he is genuinely a
very nice person.