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Melony Rarick, FMC's Learning and Development Employee Finalist for OHA Health Care Worker of the Year Award

LANCASTER, Ohio (June 15, 2011) – At its 10th annual Recognition Dinner last night, the Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) named Melony Rarick, Fairfield Medical Center Learning and Development Education Associate, as a finalist for the 2011 Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award.

Melony went above and beyond to bring the “No One Dies Alone” program to Fairfield Medical Center in September of 2010. She recognized that when patients were facing their last days, some had no support. Now, thanks to Melony, Fairfield Medical Center patients have someone there at their side. Melony created the vision, organized the planning committee, engaged and trained volunteers, and serves as coordinator/volunteer of the program.

OHA announced the recipient and four finalists during the OHA Recognition Dinner June 14, 2011 in conjunction with the association’s Annual Meeting at the Hilton Columbus at Easton, where hospitals across the state gathered to honor 76 nominees for this year’s award.

Mina Ubbing, Fairfield Medical Center CEO and OHA Board Chair, also attended the dinner and introduced the featured speaker, Susan Nixon Stoughton, Executive Director for the American Red Cross of Fairfield County. Susan spoke of her battle with breast cancer that required not one, but three surgeries at Fairfield Medical Center, which she credits for her fast recovery. Susan spoke of the importance of having a connection with your caregivers and her words of thanks to the thousands of health care workers in Ohio.

Every Ohio hospital was invited to nominate one person for the Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year award, created in 1996 to honor a hospital employee who demonstrates leadership, reflects the values and ideals of Ohio’s health care facilities, goes above and beyond the call of duty, gives back to the community and has overcome odds to succeed.

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