Congratulations to St. Mary’s 2022 Annual Awards Recipients
March 1, 2023
By: Mark Ralston
Categories: Colleague Stories
Congratulations to the recipients of St. Mary’s Annual Awards for 2022! These awards – our most prestigious – were announced Wednesday during a special presentation at our monthly leadership meeting. The recipients were chosen by their peers for their outstanding commitment to St. Mary’s Mission and Core Values and for their dedication to our patients, colleagues and the community.
- Sarah Schwab, RN, Manager of Critical Care – Edward J. Fechtel, Jr. Excellence in Leadership Winner for managers
- Michael Doolittle, Director of Engineering – Sr. Antonette Excellence in Leadership Winner for directors
- Nanci Nix, Staff Development Coordinator, Clinical Education – Catherine McAuley Service Award for frontline staff
Each recipient was honored with flowers (barbeque sauce for Michael!), a keepsake plaque of The Good Samaritan, a monetary token of appreciation, and a surprise video of family, friends and colleagues sending their congratulations. To view these videos, click on the link in each section, below.
“It is truly wonderful to serve with such dedicated and committed people,” said Dave Spivey, St. Mary’s Interim President and CEO. “These folks are truly outstanding, and it is a blessing to serve with each of them. Thank you for all you do.”
E. J. Fechtel Jr., Excellence in Leadership Award
Sarah Schwab, RN
The award presented to Sarah is named in honor of Edward J. Fechtel, Jr., a visionary leader who served as St. Mary’s President and CEO from 1966 to 1999.
Sarah is the Critical Care Manager at St. Mary’s Hospital. She is outstanding because of the care she demonstrates daily for her team and the environment she creates. She takes time to listen and get to know not only her own staff, but others throughout the hospital as well. She empowers people. The rapport she builds – the trust she builds – is shown every time a member of her team feels safe enough to ask questions if something doesn’t feel right.
Sarah sees physical and emotional safety as a priority and makes sure her team understands why. It can be hard to balance praise with correction when things are not done well, but Sarah navigates this line well. She makes sure her team has the education they need to deliver top-quality patient care. Bottom line: Sarah understands that by serving our colleagues, we better serve our patients.
Sarah is a resident of Walnut Grove.
Sister Antonette Excellence in Leadership Award
Michael Doolittle
The award presented to Michael is named in honor of Sr. Antonette Martinko, MSC, who served as Director of Nursing and then as Special Assistant to the President from 1966 to 2003.
Day in and day out, Michael epitomizes our Core Values. Part of the St. Mary’s engineering team since 2002, he was promoted to Engineering Director in December 2021. He has a special way of making each person feel like a priority to him. His four nominators especially noted that he is a calming voice to others, even in the toughest of times.
A great example is the Christmas Eve flood at the offices of Athens General and Colorectal Surgery and St. Mary’s Breast Health Center. Michael and his team interrupted their holidays to rush to the aid of the practices and the patients they serve – “Heroes in every way,” as one nominator put it. When asked about it, the always-humble Michael said, “It’s what we do.” He puts his faith and family first, and this empowers him to lead by example. One of his nominators sums it up perfectly: “Best leader I have ever worked for.”
Michael is a resident of Watkinsville.
Catherine McAuley Award
Nancy Nix
The award Nancy received is named in honor of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, women religious who have devoted their ministry to the care of those who are sick and vulnerable since 1831.
Nanci follows in Catherine McAuley’s footsteps. She advocates for all people who are sick and suffering in the hospital and in the community at large. Nanci treats her coworkers with dignity and respect. She wants all staff to be able to provide the best care for patients and to follow best practice. As a cancer survivor, she knows how important it is to support others, especially in their time of need.
Nanci has been part of our ministry since 2018. She treats everyone with dignity and respect. She truly is a teacher and is fair, just, and committed to educating about best practices. She is an honest person and team-builder who has devoted herself to care for others through her knowledge, skills, and ability to show empathy. The homemade goodies she brings to the weekend staff are a beautiful example of how she goes over and beyond for her co-workers!
Nanci is a resident of Athens-Clarke County.