A look back: Employee of the Year Luncheon #19

For the last two weeks we’ve been celebrating the 20th anniversary of the DFW Hospital Council (DFWHC) Foundation’s Employee of the Year Luncheon set for tomorrow at the Irving Convention Center. We’ve been counting down with detail on previous luncheons listed below. During tomorrow’s event, the Employee of the Year Luncheon will honor more than 140 nominees and present 14 separate awards. The luncheon has evolved into a community celebration for one of the most valuable resources in North Texas – great hospital employees. See you there!

The 19th Annual Employee of the Year Luncheon, themed “Healthcare Heroes,” took place May 1, 2015 at the Irving Convention Center. Captain Chad Fleming, a former member of the U.S. Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment whose heroic service resulted in the amputation of his leg, served an inspirational keynote speech to attendees.

Award recipients included:
Rex McRae Scholarship
Megan Hill, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center/El Centro College

Nurse Preceptor Award
Maneoly Casaquite, Unit Supervisor, HCA’s North Hills Hospital

Physician Award
Dr. Kevin Martens, HCA’s Medical Center McKinney

Volunteer Award
Clarence Griffith, Baylor Jack & Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital

Community Service Award
Nancy Valant, Staff Nurse, Methodist Dallas Medical Center

System Award
Darla Whitmire, Administrative Coordinator HR, UT Southwestern University Hospitals

Special Recognition Awards
Anthony Dinsay, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance
Jenny Murray, Nursing Supervisor, Tenet’s Centennial Medical Center
Mary Harrison, Supervisor Housekeeping, UT Southwestern Clements University Hospital
Lou Ann Shumate, Clinical Lab Assistant, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth

Employee of the Year Awards
Chris Talatala, Operating Room Nurse, Texas Health Southlake
Michelle De La Cruz, Nurse Practitioner, Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton
Vernon Lee, Catering Aide, Cook Children’s Health Care System
Susan Mericle, Art Therapist Psychiatric Services, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas

Employee of the Year Luncheon #1

Employee of the Year Luncheon #2

Employee of the Year Luncheons #3 and #4

Employee of the Year Luncheons #5 and #6

Employee of the Year Luncheons #7 and #8

Employee of the Year Luncheons #9 and #10

Employee of the Year Luncheons #11 and #12

Employee of the Year Luncheons #13 and #14

Employee of the Year Luncheons #15 and #16

Employee of the Year Luncheons #17 and #18

For information, contact Sally Williams at swilliams@dfwhcfoundation.org or Chris Wilson at chrisw@dfwhc.org. You can also call 972-719-4900.

Captain Chad Fleming

2015 – Captain Chad Fleming



Clarence Griffith (left) and Kristin Jenkins

2015 – Clarence Griffith (left) and Kristin Jenkins



Suzanne McRae (left) and Megan Hill

Suzanne McRae (left) and Megan Hill