Donora woman receives Protin Award
Monongahela Valley Hospital employees who were honored for 25 years of service during the 42nd annual Service Awards Dinner included, seated, from left, Ronna Voelker, Beverly Clark, Barbara MacPherson, Mary Ann Fonzi, Sharon Thomas, Margaret Majireck, Lori Barkey and Cathy Henderson; and standing, Kim Ashcraft, Michelle Monte, Candy West, Marie Hackinson, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Henry R. Glaneman, Scott Zemba, Gordon H. Watkins II, Yvonne Duncan and Erin Sinko.
Debbie Burkhardt, a respiratory therapist and director of radiation oncology at Monongahela Valley Hospital, received the 2014 Edward J. Protin Memorial Award. With Burkhardt is radiology technologist Dale Varega, the 2013 Protin Award winner.
MONONGAHELA – Monongahela Valley Hospital recently honored it employees, medical staff and board during the organization’s 42nd annual Service Awards Dinner at the Willow Room in the Mon-Vale HealthPLEX in Rostraver.
Debbie Burkhardt of Donora, a respiratory therapist and director of radiation oncology, received the 2014 Edward J. Protin Memorial Award, one of the hospital’s most prestigious honors.
Those eligible for the Protin Award have served the hospital for at least a decade, exhibited significant contributions to the health care system over and above what is required and demonstrated leadership, loyalty, compassion and empathy.
Last year’s Protin Award recipient, radiology technologist Dale Varega, made the announcement.
“Our Protin awardee is a wonderful ambassador for Monongahela Valley Hospital who makes every person feel as though he or she is our most important patient or visitor,” Varega said. “This employee greets new patients with a hug, never a handshake. Patients are put at ease with her caring attitude. If they are frightened, she even cries with them.”
Mrs. Burkhardt was moved to tears as she accepted the award.
“This is unbelievable,” she said. “It is so unexpected. This award means so much to me. I feel so privileged to work for Mon Valley Hospital.”
Burkhardt is passionate about breast cancer. As she says, “Breast cancer impacts 1 in 8 women, and we are making wonderful strides treating people.”
Burkhardt has been very involved with the annual MVH/Ducoeur Breast Cancer Walk since its second year. She sends MVH/Ducoeur Breast Cancer Walk “save the date” reminders to current breast cancer patients as well as those she hasn’t seen in a while.
The Protin Memorial Award was established in 1981 to perpetuate the memory of Edward J. Protin of Charleroi, former president of the hospital’s board of trustees and a longtime community leader in the mid-Mon Valley.
In addition, awards were presented to employees, medical staff and board members with 25 years of service. Honorees included Kimberly Ashcraft, Lori A. Barkey, Beverly A. Clark, Yvonne Duncan, Sharon Ann Evans, Mary Ann Fonzi, board member Henry R. Glaneman, Marie Hackinson, Cathy L. Henderson, Cathy A. Horrell, Carol A. Jones, Barbara A. MacPherson, Margaret A Majireck, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Michelle Monte, Dr. Sudha Nayar, Donna K. Pekar, Dr. Thomas B. Pinto, Stacy L. Pryor Erin Sinko, board member Charles E. Stacey, Dr. Tuan-Ahn L. Ung, Ronna Voelker, Gordon H. Watkins II, Candace L. West and Scott Zemba.
In addition, the hospital honored 14 staff members with 20 years of service, 13 staff with 15 years, 19 staff with 10 years and 21 with five years. Employees with 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service who attended were honored with a gift.
MVH leaders also honored 21 recent retirees and remembered 19 members of the hospital family who passed away during the last year.