Our colleagues and volunteers demonstrate their commitment to patient-centered care in numerous
ways every day.

Our annual HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction ceremony recognizes individuals throughout the organization who have dedicated their lives to serving others. These colleagues and volunteers are directly impacting patients by innovating what it means to deliver care. Their compassion, generosity and dedication to others extend far beyond the bedside.

This year’s recipients include veterans, scout leaders, mentors and healthcare professionals who are using their skills for medical missions, rescue efforts and nonprofit organizations in their communities.

Our colleagues are advocates for our patients and their families, exhibiting care beyond the hours of their shifts or the responsibilities connected to their job titles. HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction offer a meaningful opportunity to recognize our colleagues who have gone above and beyond to care for and improve human life.

Meet this year’s class of finalists and recipients.

Jedediah’s contributions as lead analyst for medication order entry automation were piloted during North Central Florida’s rollout of the Expanse program. This automation replaced repetitive tasks and reduced human error, and it remains the most time-sensitive and critical automation effort across a portfolio that saved more than 240,000 human hours in 2023 while providing $19 million in cost avoidance to date.

Jedediah’s foresight and dedication have been pivotal in establishing scalable processes that meet the evolving needs of the program. Early in this assignment, he created an environment of collaboration and camaraderie across six different project teams. His focus and orchestration of complex medication and patient data enabled the teams to deliver a solution that reduced manual medication entry by 40%.

“Jedediah has the unique ability to see beyond the status quo and bring forth creative ideas that break the mold and expand upon what is possible for our team,” says Krischan Krayer, vice president, Expanse Implementation.

Outside of Expanse, Jedediah is an active member of HCA Healthcare’s Veteran Colleague Network and volunteers through his church in the Nashville community. His upbeat attitude and ability to solve problems with a smile have earned him respect across teams.

Heather has been lauded for her heroism as a lifesaver both within the hospital setting and outside of it. In October 2023, she and another Sunrise colleague helped save a man’s life after finding him bleeding extensively.

At Sunrise, she is known for her unwavering commitment and consistent performance, often taking on the most-challenging cases with grace and professionalism, says Todd Zimmerman, MD, medical director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Sunrise Children’s Hospital.

“Heather’s depth of knowledge is truly impressive, evident in her thorough approach to patient care and her ability to recognize subtle changes in patient conditions,” he says. “Her efficiency and foresight ensure that she is always one step ahead, providing the highest standard of care to those she serves.”

Heather is also dedicated to helping children experiencing abuse or neglect. She played a pivotal role in developing the SCAN program at Sunrise Hospital, forging crucial partnerships with law enforcement and the Children’s Advocacy Center, where she also volunteers, assisting with sexual assault exams.

“Her passion for her work shines through in everything she does, and her dedication to providing compassionate care to her patients is truly commendable,” says Tiffany Pabst, BSN, RN, clinical professional development educator, Pediatric ER.

Throughout Roni’s 35-year career, she has improved the lives of not only her patients, but also untold generations of nurses.

She has served as a mentor, preceptor and leader of nurse practitioners, supporting more than 200 nurses of diverse backgrounds and generations. She’s even mentored physicians throughout her career. She’s known for creating a safe space for nurses to ask questions and for preparing them to think critically in her absence.

Roni also pioneered the development of the Heart Rotation program 20 years ago. It’s become a cornerstone of cardiac care in her facility’s critical care units, revolutionizing services and providing hands-on experiences for nurses, students and residents.

Fellow colleagues say she possesses a distinct talent for communicating effectively and positively with providers, especially when identifying opportunities for improvement or addressing knowledge gaps. She’s been instrumental in ICU expansions and the development of career ladder programs.

“Roni’s generosity in her work has always been limitless, but she has never limited her generosity to the confines of Methodist Hospital. She is an active member of the local chapter of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, and she has regularly done charitable volunteer work for our local community,” says Sueyon Dodd, nurse manager, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit 2.

Paulette, a 13-year volunteer with more than 2,000 hours of service at Ogden Regional Medical Center, serves at the front desk and was instrumental in starting therapy dog visits.

Earlier this year, staff were having difficulty administering medication to a patient who was having a panic attack. Paulette was at the hospital with her therapy dog, Miss Sophie, and was able to calm the patient immediately.

“We are so grateful for the time and effort Paulette has put into training and certifying her dogs for the therapy program,” says Mark Adams, CEO of Ogden Regional Medical Center. “It takes a lot of work, talent and dedication to train these dogs to bring comfort to others. We have so many stories of the positive impact they have had on our patients.”

Outside the hospital, Paulette is renowned for her work and has been featured in many publications for her wilderness expertise and for search and rescue efforts with her dogs. She and Miss Sophie are also certified volunteers for the juvenile court system, helping children testify.

“I could go on and on about the many humanitarian efforts Paulette is involved with on a daily basis,” says Trudy R. Peterson, volunteer director at Ogden Regional. “She sees a need and acts on it. She is always the first to offer service.”

Dr. Jacobs’ care for people extends beyond the clinical setting of Menorah Medical Center. Since 2022, he has volunteered more than 180 hours, providing direct patient care to the unhoused and underserved populations of Kansas City.

The effort, called Care Beyond the Boulevard, aims to help those who may lack housing, transportation and money — factors which may keep people from seeking healthcare. Dr. Jacobs also serves as its medical director and president of the board of directors. Healthcare volunteers deliver mental and physical healthcare directly to patients anywhere in the city via a mobile bus clinic.

“With the help of Dr. Jacobs, Care Beyond the Boulevard has helped thousands of patients seek both medical and mental healthcare,” says Katie Bruels, chief operating officer at Menorah Medical Center. “This is the true personification of a humanitarian and honors Dr. Frist’s legacy to care for those in need.”

One of Dr. Jacobs’ patients went from homelessness and drug addiction to having a home and a job and becoming drug-free. That patient is now an advocate and board of trustees member for Care Beyond the Boulevard. Jaynell Assmann, APRN-C, Care Beyond the Boulevard founder and CEO, says Dr. Jacobs “does not work above, but alongside nurses, medical students and nonmedical volunteers.”

“He is truly one of the most humble people I have ever encountered,” she says.

Described as a passionate advocate for both patients and colleagues, Samantha currently serves as ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) coordinator for the hospital’s cardiovascular department.

She is recognized for her significant contributions over 20 years both in the hospital and throughout the community. Since 2011, she has volunteered with Apraxia Kids, which helps children with motor speech disorders. She also helps children newly diagnosed with asthma learn how to use their inhalers and navigate their daily lives. She’s a dedicated Girl Scout troop leader and advocate for children with special needs, too.

“She shows up to make everyone’s life a little bit brighter,” says Dean Carucci, CEO of Portsmouth Regional Hospital. “Her presence in our hospital and our community makes them warmer and more welcoming places to be.”

Kristin Laberis, the hospital’s vice president of operations, adds that Samantha is always first to volunteer for extra shifts when additional help is needed.

“I have witnessed multiple encounters where Samantha has provided compassion and understanding during difficult conversations,” Kristin says. “She has a unique ability to put patients at ease.”

Samantha excels as an ECMO coordinator and is known to be an innovative leader, playing a pivotal role in the development and advancement of her hospital’s ECMO program.

Finalists