Capella Health

Franklin, TN.  August 21, 2014 — Sarah Middleton of Olympia, WA, has been named the recipient of Capella Healthcare’s inaugural national Employee STAR Award.  Established this year in conjunction with the company’s tenth year of service, the Employee STAR Award is designed to recognize individuals who are shining examples of Capella’s values.  Middleton is the Joint and Spine Program Coordinator for Capital Medical Center in Olympia, WA.

Capella’s President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Wiechart presented the award at the company’s annual Leadership Conference awards banquet held in Franklin, TN, on August 20.

“Sarah is a remarkable nurse whose service has improved quality, delighted patients, and inspired staff,” Wiechart said. “She demonstrates Capella’s values in how she interacts with others every day.”

Her dedication to care and her focus on detail was instrumental in developing the foundation for the hospital’s outstanding Joint & Spine Program as well as their achievement of disease-specific certification from The Joint Commission for hip replacement, knee replacement and spine surgery.”

He continued, “Sarah demonstrates daily a passion for her patients. She invests her time, energy and compassion in each patient scheduled for surgery by being their personal guide through the process and even after they return home. She regularly receives compliments from patients for the outstanding care and service she provides, and has earned the respect of her peers and physicians.”

According to Middleton, she first set foot in Capital Medical Center in Olympia, WA, when she was just six years old and her mother began working there as a nurse just a year after the hospital opened its doors.  She officially began her own career at Capital in 2001 as a staff nurse on the medical surgical floor.  She set such an example for others that she was quickly identified as a leader and became a charge nurse.  Because of her skill at mentoring others, Middleton was promoted to the role of Clinical Educator for the Medical Surgical department and then last year to Joint and Spine Program Coordinator.

Middleton and her husband, Kevin, together have three boys.  She loves to read, travel, shop, and entertain. But her biggest passion – besides her family – is her work because she gets the “purest joy” out of helping others.

Each of Capella’s affiliated hospitals nominated an outstanding employee for the national award.  Nominees for the award are individuals who consistently demonstrate the company’s values which include

• Making the safety, comfort and well-being of patients their top priority
• Being committed to working together with their colleagues, collaborating to provide the best possible health care
• Are honest and truthful, acting with integrity at all times
• Are courteous to all, respecting the feelings and viewpoints of others
• Valuing all resources and use them wisely

Additionally, the hospital and national STAR Award recipients are role models in the following pillars:

• Quality – This person is passionate about providing the highest possible quality of care with an uncompromising focus on safety.
• Service –This individual is dedicated to exceeding the expectations of all they serve, earning consistent praise.
• People – This employee is a great team member and works well with others; they are committed to making their community a better place in which to live – for everyone.

Each of Capella’s affiliated hospitals nominated an outstanding employee for this national award.  To see all of the outstanding nominees, visit this page.

Middleton received a $1,000 check in conjunction with the award.  Another check for $1,000 is being donated in her honor to a charitable organization of her choice.

 

About Capella Healthcare

Capella Healthcare partners with communities to build strong local healthcare systems that are known for quality patient care. Based in Franklin, Tenn., Capella owns and/or operates 13 acute care and specialty hospital facilities in six states. With the philosophy that all healthcare is local, Capella collaborates with each hospital’s medical staff, board and community leadership to take care to the next level. The company has access to significant leadership and financial resources, investing in its family of hospitals to strengthen and expand services and facilities. The company was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the nation’s fastest growing health care companies in both 2012 and 2013.  

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