CHI Saint Joseph Health Honors Outstanding Staff With Employee, Leader of the Year Awards

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 2, 2020) – CHI Saint Joseph Health has announced its 2020 corporate Employee of the Year and Leader of the Year award recipients. Elizabeth Atkins, of Lexington, a social worker and Ambulatory Care coordinator, earned the corporate Employee of the Year award, and Natalie Hickam, of Georgetown, market director of Employee Health, was awarded the corporate Leader of the Year.

CHI Saint Joseph Health annually recognizes one outstanding Employee of the Year who demonstrates the core values of reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence.

“Elizabeth values our patients and shows each and every one of them compassion,” a nominator said. “In fact, she exudes compassion. Elizabeth met a homeless man near his car in the dead of winter. She then proceeded to organize a collection of household items for when he finds permanent housing. She always puts the patient first and is focused on their needs first.”

It is this commitment to high-risk, medically complex patients that made Atkins stand out to her fellow employees. Her nominators said Atkins is “eager to help patients however she can, whether that means walking someone through a bank drive-thru or seeking out a patient who is homeless.” Atkins is also active in her church, participating on her church camp committee, discretionary funds committee and the leadership committee.

Similarly, CHI Saint Joseph Health annually presents one employee serving in a managerial position with the Leader of the Year award. Selection criteria include an outstanding demonstration of leadership led by CHI Saint Joseph Health’s core values of reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence.

“Natalie never lets the sun go down unless she knows that all employees are safely addressed in their needs,” said a nominator from Saint Joseph East. “She patterns excellence in everything she does from the smallest detail to the largest event. Natalie demonstrates this to our team and encourages us to provide our employees with an attitude of excellence in everything, from giving an injection to explaining the most complicated exposure.”

Hickam’s co-workers say she goes above and beyond in making sure her employees know that they are valued, and “joyfully encourages members of her team with daily phone calls or meetings, and ensures employees are kept up to date on important policies.” Hickam has been known to send gifts to staff members to boost morale and has an open door policy with team members. She is also certified as an occupational health nurse (COHN-S).

Both award winners were recognized during a special virtual ceremony.

About CHI Saint Joseph Health
CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of Catholic Health Initiatives, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 135 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to building healthier communities by elevating patient care through an integrated physical and behavioral health delivery system. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

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