Shelly Allen, Great Plains Health environmental services technician, has been selected as the Great Plains Health Caring Kind Award recipient for 2020.
A longstanding tradition of the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA), the award pays tribute to outstanding healthcare employees who have demonstrated compassion for patients, cooperation with coworkers and dedication to excellence in the role they play at their facility.
Each year, NHA member hospitals and health care systems select one person from their organization to be recognized at the NHA’s annual convention. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Great Plains Health celebrated Shelly with a small luncheon with her coworkers and presented her with the award plaque during a meeting filled with hospital leadership.
“There isn’t a better representative than Shelly to be recognized with this award, said Mel McNea, Great Plains Health chief executive officer. “She is a role model in our organization, and exemplifies our mission of inspiring health and healing by putting the patient first – always.”
Shelly works in environmental services on 3-East as well as in the COVID unit. During her time off, she also cleans for a local church.
“Shelly takes pride in her work on a daily basis and truly keeps the patient at the forefront of everything she does,” said Gabe Behling, Great Plains Health environmental services director. “We can always count on Shelly to brighten spirits of all those she comes into contact with.”
Nearly 2,500 caring, skilled and dedicated health care professionals have received this award since its inception in 1979. The award program showcases the exemplary work and care hospital employees provide every day throughout the year. Every Nebraska hospital employee plays a critical role in providing high-quality, cost-effective treatment and ensuring the safety of themselves, their co-workers and patients each and every day. The honorees are star performers through their dedication to patients and teamwork, ensuring that care is safe, quality-driven and cost-effective for consumers, as well as for the organizations they represent.