ASHES Announces Award Winners

The American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES) announces that Weston R. Thiss, MBA, CHESP, is the recipient of the 2007 Phoenix Award.  ASHES highest honor, the Phoenix award recognizes an individual who has made a lasting impact in the ASHES organization through outstanding contributions to the growth and professionalism of the field of healthcare environmental services and textile care services.

Thiss served as president of the ASHES board of directors in 2002 and 2003 and has tirelessly worked in the environmental services field for 11 years.  A member since 1998, Thiss currently serves on the board of the AmericanHospitalAssociationCertificationCenter as 2007 president where he provides strategic direction to industry credentials like the Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Professional (CHESP). Thiss is the director of environmental services, transport management and linen services for Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, Va.

ASHES also recognizes excellence in healthcare environmental services with a variety of awards and honors to local ASHES chapters as well as to individuals. Other award winners announced at the annual awards dinner include:

- Environmental Stewardship Award: Joseph Petrella, CHESP, All Saint's Healthcare, Racine, Wis. The Environmental Stewardship Award is presented to an individual who has worked to preserve the environment through waste reduction, pollution prevention and/or mercury elimination.

- Innovator Award: Dario Carrero, CHESP, SharpGrossmontHospital, La Mesa, Calif. The Innovator Award is bestowed upon an individual who has developed and implemented innovative programs to achieve one or more of the following: cost reduction, quality improvement, enhanced and improved efficiencies and/or devised an innovative new and better way of doing things.

- The Excellence in Education Award: Greater Midwest ASHES. The Excellence in Education Award recognizes affiliated societies who have made a commitment to providing educational and management growth opportunities to health care environmental services professionals, through the design and implementation of innovative member programs, seminars, and/or vendor shows that go beyond a standard session and address timely topics. 

Source: ASHES