190 employees recognized for their years at the organization
Special to The Island News
Nearly 200 employees were recognized for their dedication to serving their community at the annual Beaufort Memorial Employee Service Awards held at the beginning of October.
The nonprofit health system honored 190 employees in total, including employees celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 45 years of service at Beaufort Memorial.
Beaufort Memorial President and CEO Russell Baxley compared the employees with decades-long tenures to the familiar and picturesque live oaks of the Lowcountry.
“Look at the live oaks – we know them, we love them. They’re beautiful,” Baxley said. “I think being in an organization and serving an organization for these years, it’s like those live oaks. It’s magic. It’s majestic. It’s beautiful. So, thank you.”
The event was held at the Port Royal Sound Foundation Pavilion, and it was a celebration of community and passion for service.
In total, the honorees at the Oct. 2 soiree shared a combined 1,985 years of service with the healthcare system. There were 92 employees celebrating 5 years this year, 52 celebrating 10 years, 13 celebrating 15 years, 16 celebrating 20 years and 11 celebrating 25 years. The veterans of the group included one employee ringing in three decades with Beaufort Memorial, four celebrating 35 years and one employee who was honored with an impressive 45 years with the organization.
Christine Smith, a central transporter at the main hospital in Beaufort, received a standing ovation for her 45 years.
Smith truly embodies the strength and longevity of the live oaks, Baxley said: “Rock solid, sturdy, dependable, everlasting.”
Also receiving standing ovations among their fellow employees, friends and family were the three 35-year Beaufort Memorial veterans present at the event – cath lab tech Deborah Cofer, clinical analyst Sharon Simmons and psychiatric nurse Juanita Singleton-Murray, RN, MSN.
Not present but still recognized for her tenure with the organization was financial accounts specialist Milagros Calderon. Linda Arp, a respiratory care practitioner, was honored for her 30 years with Beaufort Memorial as well.
Baxley said that this event reinforces one of his favorite quotes: “Grow where your feet are planted.”
“There is something so special about this, especially in a world like today’s,” he said. “Your commitment shines through, and we thank you for that. We thank you for your dedication.”
