LifeBridge
Health�was honored to have six employees, the New Bridges To Improve
Child Health program and one tuxedo-clad miniature dachshund as finalists for
the 2006 Health Care Heroes awards, hosted by The Daily Record. The annual
program recognizes exceptional people and organizations in health care around
our state, defining heroes as men and women who put themselves before others,
who see problems and who solve them.�
Deanna Gaister, volunteer coordinator for Sinai Hospital, was
named Top Winner in the Health Care Professional category during a March 23
awards ceremony. Deanna oversees 300 adult volunteers but still finds time to
develop programs for mentoring students and enhancing customer service.
But�Brutus, also a Volunteer Hero Winner, stole the show at the
awards breakfast when called to the stage. The tail-wagging pooch has been
spreading his own brand of comfort and care at Levindale for the past year.
Brutus accompanies his handler on morning rounds, and he quickly became one of
Levindale�s most popular animal volunteers.
The other award finalists were Marlene Lesley, therapeutic recreation manager
for Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home; Ida Samet, vice president of Women
and Children�s Services for LifeBridge Health; and Shawn Pamela Barnes, R.N.,
Northwest Hospital�s senior clerical nurse.
