ASHES Announces Phoenix Award Winner

ORLANDO -- The American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services

(ASHES) announced at its 19th annual conference in Orlando, Fla. that Diane Pennington, CHESP,  director of environmental and nutrition services at Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital in Lehighton, Pa. is the 2004 Phoenix Award winner.

The Phoenix Award is the highest honor bestowed upon an ASHES member, recognizing an individual who has made a lasting impact through outstanding contributions to the growth and professionalism of the society and to the field of healthcare environmental services and textile care services.

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

-- J. Owen Flynn Memorial Award: Graham H. Emery, president, West Sanitation Services, Torrance, Calif. This award is presented to one who, without compensation or personal gain, performed a service or services to the benefit of their hospital, community, state or country.

-- James Wolffbrandt Award: Waymon T. Saxon, CHESP, manager, Network Business Office Veterans Administration, Southeast Network, Vision 7, Duluth, GA. The criteria for the award includes active involvement in mentoring, educating and guiding environmental services or textile care professional(s).

--Distinguished Service Award: Patricia Hockenberger (retired) and James Connors, CHESP, Rhode Island Hospital. This award is presented to members who provide extraordinary service "above and beyond the call of duty," to the ASHES organization or ASHES members.

-- Environmental Stewardship Award: BJ Springer, environmental services leader, North Hawaii Community Hospital, Kamuela, Hawaii. The award is presented to an individual who has worked to preserve the environment through waste reduction, pollution prevention and/or mercury elimination.

-- Innovator Award: J. Douglas Roill, general manager, hospitality services, Arizona State Hospital, Phoenix, Ariz. 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.

-- Recognition Award: Greg Arndt, director, environmental services and laundry, LaPorte Hospital and Health Service, LaPorte, Ind. This award acknowledges members who have developed and implemented successful employee recognition programs and having a positive motivational impact, resulting in changes in staff behavior.

ASHES is the premier professional membership society affiliated with the American Hospital Association, for healthcare environmental services, housekeeping, waste management and textile-care professionals.  ASHES provides education, recognition for personal and professional achievements, national networking as well as affiliation and collaboration with the American Hospital Association on public policy and advocacy issues related to healthcare environmental services. 

Source: ASHES