2020 Awards of Distinction – Mission Health

This year’s Awards of Distinction looked a little different due to COVD-19. One thing that didn’t change was the amazing work happening across HCA Healthcare, and more specifically at Mission Health.

Did you know the HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction – including the Frist Humanitarian Award, Excellence in Nursing Award and Innovators Award – are the highest honors we bestow on our employees, physicians and volunteers? These awards honor exceptional individuals whose professional and personal lives reflect the patient-centered, entrepreneurial and humanitarian values upon which HCA Healthcare was founded.

Let’s take a moment to recognize and congratulate our 2020 Awards of Distinction Recipients. Bonus: check out some photos of award recipients across our division.

Frist Humanitarian Award

The Frist Humanitarian Award, named in honor of HCA Healthcare co-founder, Dr. Thomas F. Frist, Sr. (1910 – 1998), was created in 1971. The award honors individuals within HCA Healthcare who demonstrate a level of commitment and caring that goes beyond everyday acts of kindness, and who inspire colleagues with their compassion and dedication.

• Mission Hospital:
  • David Freeman – Mission Hospital – physician award recipient
  • Lisa Clark – Asheville Surgery Center – employee award recipient and Division Award Recipient
  • Sara Weston Hart – Mission Hospital – volunteer award recipient and Division Award Recipient
• Mission Hospital McDowell:
  • Edward St. Bernard, MD – physician award recipient
  • Amy Vaughn – employee award recipient
  • Linda Stevens– volunteer award recipient
• Angel Medical Center:
  • Elaine Mashburn – employee award recipient
• Asheville Specialty Hospital:
  • Charlene Ingulfsen – employee award recipient
• Blue Ridge Regional Hospital:
  • Jennifer Larson, MD – physician award recipient
  • Amy Shuford – employee award recipient
  • Kathleen Huie – volunteer award recipient
• CarePartners:
  • Justus Min – physician award recipient
  • Tammy Ponder – employee award recipient
• Highlands-Cashiers Hospital/Eckerd Living Center:
  • Patti Wheeler, MD – physician award recipient
  • Anna Claire Ramey – employee award recipient
  • Linda Arnold – volunteer award recipient
• Physician Services Group (PSG):
  • Adam Kaufman – physician award recipient

Excellence in Nursing Award

The HCA Excellence in Nursing Award was created in 2014 to recognize the intrinsic value of the practice of nursing in accomplishing our goal of providing the highest quality care to the patients and communities we serve. Our 94,000 knowledgeable and compassionate nurses are on the front line of patient care, every day. The award recognizes HCA Healthcare nurses who care like family and excel in the categories of Compassionate Care and Professional Mentoring.

• Mission Hospital:
  • Rhonda Robinson – Professional Mentoring
  • Felisha McCain – Compassionate Care and Division Award Recipient
• Mission Hospital McDowell:
  • Leah Frady – Professional Mentoring
  • Barry Mingle – Compassionate Care
• Angel Medical Center:
  • Cara Smith – Professional Mentoring
• Asheville Specialty Hospital:
  • Erin Traister – Professional Mentoring
  • Rex Batchelor – Compassionate Care
• Blue Ridge Regional Hospital:
  • Amber Miller – Professional Mentoring
  • Emily Rowe– Compassionate Care
• CarePartners:
  • Maria Delgado – Professional Mentoring
  • Drew Wax – Compassionate Care
• Highlands-Cashiers Hospital/Eckerd Living Center:
  • Cindy Barloga – Professional Mentoring
  • Alison George – Compassionate Care
• Physician Services Group (PSG):
  • Cindy DeLoach – Professional Mentoring
  • Shelby Harbin – Compassionate Care
• Transylvania Regional Hospital:
  • Karlye Marburger – Professional Mentoring
  • Tracey Rhodes – Compassionate Care

Innovators Award

HCA Healthcare was founded by leaders who dared to ask, “What if?” This question led to the creation of HCA Healthcare and it continues to drive our organization forward and unlock numerous possibilities for our patients, colleagues and communities. Created in 2010, the HCA Innovators Award recognizes innovative thinkers who help us improve our nursing operations, engage our physicians, generate growth and provide excellent patient care.

• Mission Hospital:
  • Lee Anna Mull
• Mission Hospital McDowell:
  • Dustin Taylor
• Angel Medical Center:
  • Lisa Blankenship
• Asheville Specialty Hospital:
  • Lisa Blankenship
• Blue Ridge Regional Hospital:
  • Joshua Reeves
• CarePartners:
  • Kashka Debruhl-Cawthorn
• Highlands-Cashiers Hospital/Eckerd Living Center:
  • Tom Cox

Let’s Celebrate! Check out these photos of award recipients across the North Carolina Division:

Congratulations to all of our Awards of Distinction recipients and nominees. Thank you for the dedication, skill and compassion you put into your work everyday.