Gloria Givens ALMH Employee of the Year [December 29, 2010]  Gloria Givens was clearly surprised when she was named the 2010 ALMH Employee of the Year earlier this month. Gloria was nominated for her smooth handling of daily operations while the only other person who works the day shift in her small department was on medical leave.

"I have watched Gloria work solo in sterile processing over the last several months. She has adjusted her hours to keep this essential department running smoothly so that our surgical patients are kept safe," said nominator and co-worker Adrienne Hahn. "She has a wonderful sense of humor and handles what would be normally a very stressful time with that sense of humor and hard work. She makes ALMH a great place to work and creates a great patient experience by running a vital department well under difficult circumstances."

Givens has worked in sterile processing for 11 years, though she previously worked at the hospital in physical therapy for 13 years. In sterile processing, Givens performs cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and inventory management activities for clinical departments in the hospital.

"Every day is a little different. That's what I love," Givens says. "You never know what might have happened the night before or what they'll add on for today. We are just one of the departments that keep all departments ready for babies, surgeries and emergencies."

She enjoys working at ALMH because it's a fun and challenging career.

"At the end of the day, going home knowing you gave your very best that someone else may benefit ... is very self-satisfying," she says. "Not to mention all the other great people who do this without even thinking, just caring for you."

Dolan Dalpoas, ALMH president and chief executive officer, added: "Gloria is a great employee with a wonderful work ethic and greatly admired by all. Her contagious laugh brightens everyone's day. She truly deserves this award."

A lifelong resident of Lincoln, Gloria and her husband, Paul, have two children and two grandchildren.

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital recognizes an outstanding employee each month who is singled out for his or her commitment to creating great patient experiences, getting great results and making ALMH a great place to work. The ALMH Employee of the Year is selected from among the monthly honorees.

Other candidates for the annual honor and their area of work were Debbie Ramlow, cardiopulmonary; Alyssa Schmidt, rehab services; Judy Hamrick, medical records; Brian Hutchison, plant operations; Doris Spencer, medical records; Tammy Pourchot, pharmacy; Kathleen Cunningham, nutrition services; Ama Wyles, medical records; Tina Gordon, medical records; Tim Heitzig, rehab services; and Sue Beavers, pharmacy.

[Text from file received from Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital]