
I Care Award winner Carla Carlson with left to right are: Chief Executive Officer Amy Hart, Senior Services Administrator Daren Rife, Food Service Director Jackie Godfrey, Dietary Aide Kathy Langie, Chief Financial Officer Katie Berg, and Chief Human Resources Officer Kim Blank.
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Dietary Aide Carla Carlson of Deerwood was recognized May 3 as an “I Care” Ambassador for the extra care and compassion she provides to patients, residents, employees, and others.
Her award nominator stated, “Carlson goes out her way to ensure that both hospital patients and residents of the Care Center are comfortable. With a welcoming, calm approach, this employee can strike up a conversation, or even just ask a simple question, to take any stress or anxiety out of a situation. It can really help to put a patient or resident at ease. From getting a blanket or fluffing a pillow, to making sure they have proper food or beverage accommodations, Carlson takes it upon herself to reach out. Always energetic, always with a positive attitude, and more than likely with a smile on her face, this employee is truly inspiring!”
In addition to her job, Carlson delivers food to an elderly Crosby resident nearly every day. The resident has a particularly strict diet and would not be living the same quality of life without Carlson’s effort.
A member of CRMC’s staff the past 23 years, prior to CRMC Carlson was a cook/aide at Headstart, housekeeper at Myrmar Villas, and a cook at Outdoormans.
CRMC’s “I Care” Award was established in 2013 to recognize employees who consistently provide compassionate care, a personal touch, and true caring. Those selected have demonstrated excellence in CRMC’s values of ICARE: inspiring, community involvement, approachable, relationships, and excellence. Other recipients were Receptionist Teddi Miehlke of Deerwood, Pre-op Education Nurse Joyce Gindorff of Crosby, Receptionist Judy Oestreich of Garrison, Facilities Engineer Jared Monson of Deerwood, Business Office Lead Pat Glenz of Crosby, Human Resources Generalist Jody Rau of Crosslake, Education Specialist Jodi Bedard of Merrifield, Education Specialist Bryan Krantz of Brainerd, and Phlebotomist Golda Donnelly of Ironton.