ASHES Presents Phoenix and Lifetime Achievement Award

Today the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES), of the American Hospital Association, presented the Phoenix Award, ASHES’ highest honor, to Brett Higgins, CHESP.  Also presented was the Lifetime Achievement Award to Graham Emery, president and owner of West Sanitation Aerowest.

The Phoenix Award is presented annually to an individual that has selflessly served in multiple ASHES leadership roles, sacrificed family and personal time to complete the work of ASHES, and often gave of their personal and financial resources to the advancement of the organization and the profession.

This prestigious honor bestowed upon Higgins recognizes his visible and lasting impact through his outstanding contributions to the growth of ASHES, elevating the professionalism of the society, dedication to the membership body, and for his unwavering commitment to the field of healthcare environmental and textile care services.

Higgins has been involved with the ASHES organization since 1994 and has chaired several committees at the national and regional level and served as the local chapter president. In 2000 Higgins was elected by his peers to the ASHES national board serving as an at-large member of the board of directors. In 2006 he was appointed President.

Higgins is a director of healthcare environmental services at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa.

The ASHES Lifetime Achievement Award is not an annual award, but rather reserved for members of the organization who have been dedicated to the success of ASHES and its individual members over the long term.

“Graham has consistently demonstrated personal and professional interest, support, and has been a strong advocate for the success of ASHES over the entire 25 years of its existence” says Patti Costello, ASHES executive director. “Not a year has gone by that Graham hasn’t contacted me to ask...What can I do and how can I help?”

His 24 years of conference attendance and trade show participation surely has not gone unnoticed by the leadership and the members. ASHES says it shares deep gratitude for Graham’s loyalty and is delighted to be able to recognize Emery.

Costello and Tina Cermignano, CHESP, 2009 ASHES president, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Emery at the annual conference during the opening session.