Methodist Names 2019 Caring Kind Award Winners

Michelle Simon, a physical therapist in the inpatient physical therapy department, is Methodist Hospital’s 2019 Caring Kind Employee of the Year. Melissa Feldhacker, nurse coordinator on the mother/baby unit, is Methodist Women’s Hospital’s 2019 Caring Kind Employee of the Year.

Congratulations go to these employees who truly embody The Meaning of Care!

Methodist Hospital's Caring Kind Employee: Michelle Simon

Michelle Simon was recognized for being selected as a 2019 Caring Kind employee at a Methodist Hospital celebration on Aug. 28.

“Completely dedicated to assisting patients meet their optimal health, she brings a level of optimism to any situation, and her words of encouragement work magic in helping patients try movements they wouldn’t have attempted," one of her coworkers said. "Michelle is kind and compassionate, and she's one of the most optimistic therapists to work with. She truly embodies The Meaning of Care!”

Michelle, a Methodist Hospital employee for more than 15 years, was named the Methodist Hospital Employee of the Month in May 2019.

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Methodist Women's Hospital's Caring Kind Employee: Melissa Feldhacker

Melissa Feldhacker was recognized for being selected as a 2019 Caring Kind employee at a Methodist Women’s Hospital celebration on July 24.

“Being a core on night shift has its challenges," a coworker said. "There are not as many resources in the building to help out when things go wrong. It also seems to be the time when those babies wake up and are wanting to be held and fed for hours (and their mamas are so very tired).”

Because the night shift often consists of recently hired nurses,
it was noted that Melissa spends a lot of time teaching and reiterating processes and policies.

“She is so kind and compassionate, and it is very evident the staff really respects her. She maintains a close relationship with those she works with while still enforcing the rules and expectations set forth by Methodist.”

Melissa has been a core on the Mother/Baby Unit for more than five years. She was named employee of the quarter for the second quarter of 2019.

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Nebraska's Caring Kind Award Program

Hospitals across the state select a Caring Kind Award winner from within their respective institutions to be honored at the Nebraska Hospital Association’s annual conference. The 2019 Caring Kind luncheon, which will be held on Oct. 18, honors those award winners as Nebraska hospitals’ most caring individuals.

Methodist Hospital’s Caring Kind Employee of the Year is chosen by the committee members who select Methodist Hospital’s Employees of the Month. The Caring Kind employee is selected from a pool of the past year’s Employee of the Month winners.

Methodist Women’s Hospital’s Caring Kind Employee of the Year is chosen by the committee members who select Methodist Women’s Hospital’s Employees of the Quarter. The Caring Kind employee is selected from a pool of the past year’s Employee of the Quarter winners.