Beacon Health System honors Associates of the Year
Beacon Health System is full of hard-working, dedicated associates who live our mission to deliver outstanding care, inspire health and connect with heart every day.
Each year, Beacon honors associates from across the system who exemplify our values and commit themselves to create a better community inside and outside of our walls.
Our honorees for 2021 include a registered nurse, a patient transporter, a medical assistant, a member of our Nutritional Services team and a diagnostic technician. Congratulations to Ben Coram, Scott Gabrich, Keondia Woodley, Jeff Jones and Quincee Calhoun.
Learn more about each winner and why they were nominated below.
Quincee Calhoun, Lead Diagnostic Technician, Neurodiagnostics, Elkhart General Hospital
From her nomination:
“She is unbelievably caring and considerate of others, especially other associates. She has a passion for recognition, and I feel that it is well overdue that Quincee herself is recognized for all her hard efforts and integrity toward our hospital.”
In her words:
Elkhart General Hospital President Carl Risk celebrates as Quincee Calhoun is honored as the hospital’s Associate of the Year.
How would you describe what you do at Beacon?
At Beacon I am a clinical associate with clerical skills. I have a passion for process improvement and organization. My full-time role is lead diagnostic tech in Neurodiagnostics at Elkhart General, where I serve our community’s electroencephalogram (EEG) needs. For fun, from time to time, you will find me in our ER helping where ever I am needed doing a wide variety of tasks.
What excites you about your job?
Being able to connect with my patients and their families is what excites me about my job. I learned early on while in the ER that on some days we clock into the worst day of someone’s life.
What are the challenges of your job?
Wanting to help every time there is a need but not being able to.
Why do you enjoy working at Beacon?
I was “raised” in our ER and transitioned into my current full-time role in the summer of 2020. The people that I work alongside are what makes working at Beacon Elkhart enjoyable.
What does it mean to you to be named Associate of the Year?
During my eight years with Beacon, I have taken every opportunity given to me to advance myself. When I started with Nutritional Services in 2013 I had no idea what I wanted to do or where I would end up. Being named Associate of the Year is an honor — I feel noticed for my hard work and dedication.
Scott Gabrich, Patient Transporter, Memorial Hospital of South Bend
From his nomination:
Memorial Hospital of South Bend President Larry Tracy presents Scott Gabrich with his Associate of the Year award.
“Scott was transporting a patient to the main entrance and while he was outside, he noticed that a car was driving erratically in the circle drive. He assessed the situation and noticed that the passenger was not in good condition. Scott immediately sprung into action and called for help. He talked with the driver to get information on the passenger and assisted the team in getting them to the ER for help. Scott’s fearlessness to run toward the car and help shows how truly compassionate he is in helping people. In a time when others are scared, Scott hurried to assist.”
In his words:
How would you describe what you do at Beacon?
My job is the transportation of patients and visitors throughout the hospital.
What excites you about your job?
What excites me is all the people you meet and the ability to help and comfort patients in their time of need.
What are the challenges of your job?
The challenge of my job is keeping in shape. We walk 20,000 to 30,000 steps a day. It’s hard work but worth it.
Why do you enjoy working at Beacon?
I enjoy my co-workers, nurses, patient care assistants, environmental services, doctors. Everyone makes working here every day an amazing experience. Leadership is also a big part of why I love Beacon.
What does it mean to you to be named Associate of the Year?
To be named associate of the year means all my hard work doesn’t go unnoticed but I couldn’t have done it without all the staff that I’m lucky to work with.
Keondia Woodley, Medical Assistant, Beacon Medical Group Schwartz-Wiekamp
From her nomination:
“She cares greatly for her patients and always ensures they are receiving the best care possible.”
“Keekee is such a joy to work with. She loves to celebrate others. She decorated a medical assistant’s station for her first day back to work after maternity leave. She made Valentines for everyone in our office and gave each person a rose. She is very welcoming and kind to everyone in the office. She is like an office cheerleader!”
In her words:
Keondia Woodley with her Associate of the Year award.
How would you describe what you do at Beacon?
I am a medical assistant so I help the doctor get all the information he needs before he comes in to see you at your typical doctor’s office.
What excites you about your job?
Seeing the patients I have grown to know over the years. I love being able to make them feel comfortable in a place that may not be their favorite. Or be able to put a smile on their face after they have gotten bad news, have not felt well, or just in general.
What are the challenges of your job?
There are a lot of challenges that come along with any job but just like everything in life, you have to get past it. So, I typically try not to focus too much on the challenges and look at it as just something I have to get through.
Why do you enjoy working at Beacon?
This was my first job right out of college and I have grown so much throughout this system. This place has allowed me to be more confident in my work and in myself. I still have room to grow, but this is just the beginning.
What does it mean to you to be named Associate of the Year?
Being named associate of the year to me means that my hard work has paid off. I knew for a long time what I’ve wanted to do when I got older. At times I’ve questioned if I would be good enough. This has helped boost my confidence and has shown me I am good at what I do and I am making a difference little by little.
Jeff Jones, Nutritional Services, Community Hospital of Bremen
From his nomination:
Jeff Jones stands with Community Hospital of Bremen President David Bailey and Nutritional Services Supervisor Chris Keeling after receiving his Associate of the Year award.
“Jeff does his job with a smile and is always fun to work with. He cares for his coworkers and patients.”
In his words:
How would you describe what you do at Beacon?
I’m a server. I really am here to contribute to camaraderie and teamwork. I love showing up to work and making sure everyone is taken care of.
What excites you about your job?
Knowing that it’s there and knowing that I’m needed. I really appreciate the teamwork and friendships with coworkers.
What are the challenges of your job?
There aren’t too many challenges. If anything pops up, we show up and muscle through it.
Why do you enjoy working at Beacon?
I’m semi-retired, so this was a nice little break from the regular routine of daily life. It’s not too hectic. It’s a nice, comfortable fit.
What does it mean to you to be named Associate of the Year?
I was shocked. I think they like the fact that people here know everybody in the community. Leadership appreciates hard work. It was a surprise that I got nominated. It makes me happy to know that I’m appreciated.
Ben Coram, RN, Utilization Review Nurse, Beacon Central Office
From his nomination:
“Ben is honest, has strong moral principles as evidenced by his efforts to support the patient needs and weighing the impact to the hospital. Ben displays a dedication to values and beliefs supporting the hospitals and coworker needs… Beacon is a better place as a result of Ben’s efforts.”
In his words:
Ben Coram, RN, smiles with his Associate of the Year award.
How would you describe what you do at Beacon?
As a utilization review RN, most of my work is reading through patients’ charts to determine their appropriate level of care based on the acuity of their illness and then I relay that clinical information to insurance companies.
What excites you about your job?
Just over the last couple of years, the Utilization Review Department has transitioned over to working remotely from home, allowing me to spend more time with my family and also avoid driving in all this snow.
What are the challenges of your job?
Changes or updates to some of the software we use can sometimes cause confusion when working remotely, but our department educator does a great job at keeping everyone updated when anything like that occurs.
Why do you enjoy working at Beacon?
I have been with Beacon for just over five years now and have had many great experiences while working here. I have learned a lot being with Beacon and have had the privilege to work with a lot of amazing people.
What does it mean to you to be named Associate of the Year?
Being named Associate of the Year has been a great feeling. I’m glad to know that the work I do is appreciated and has been both beneficial to my department and the Beacon organization.
