About Lakewood Health System Awards

2005 SPIRIT OF CARING AWARD

The CentraCare Health Foundation announced that “Methamphetamine: The Facts” was one of this year’s recipients of the “Spirit of Caring” award. Bev Nelsen, Staff Nurse/Occupational Health/Education and long-time employee at Lakewood Health System, was presented the award on November 9, 2005 at CentraCare Health System.

CAREGIVER OF THE YEAR

Helen Kimball, a certified resident assistant with Lakewood Health System in Staples has been named the Minnesota Health & Housing Alliance's District D "Caregiver of the Year." This award is given annually to a direct care employee in each of MHHA's seven geographical districts. The award honors individuals who go "above and beyond" to enhance and enrich the quality of life for seniors in their communities; who have demonstrated their commitment to Minnesota's elderly; and have shown exceptional service to a MHHA-member facility and their residents.

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

Lakewood Health System was named recipient of the Innovation of the Year award in Patient Care Enhancement by the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership at its annual meeting near Brainerd in September. The hospital received the award for its newborn hearing screening program. The association presents the award annually to a hospital or health system that has developed a creative, new method or model for health care delivery.

RURAL HEALTH HERO AWARD

At the Minnesota Rural Summit Conference sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Rural Health Primary Care, Mel Nefstead, Board Chair of Lakewood Health System, Staples, was presented the Minnesota Rural Health Hero Award.

RURAL HEALTH TEAM AWARD

Lakewood Health System and Freshwater Education District of Staples were awarded the outstanding Rural Health Team Award at the Minnesota Rural Summit sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Rural Health Primary Care. Lakewood Health System and Freshwater Education District received the Outstanding Rural Health Team for the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Clinic.

TEAM ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Care providers of Minnesota awarded Lakewood Health System the Team Achievement Award. Lakewood Health System has an employee group which teams up with administration in establishing overall facility philosophy as well as policies and procedures affecting employees and customers. This group is called Partners in Action. Partners in Action is a committee with employee and manager representation from each division. Partners in Action meets monthly with administration and has access to all minutes and meetings conducted by administration.

TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR

Melvin Nefstead, chairman of the Lakewood Health System in Staples, received the Trustee of the Year award from the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership at its annual meeting near Brainerd in September. The Trustee of the Year award is presented annually to a health care trustee for providing exceptional leadership to his or her hospital and the community.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Lillian Postel, a volunteer with Lakewood Health System in Staples has been named the Minnesota Health & Housing Alliance's District D "Volunteer of the Year." This award is given annually to a volunteer in each of MHHA's seven geographical districts. The award honors individuals who go "above and beyond" to enhance and enrich the quality of life for seniors in their communities; who have demonstrated their commitment to Minnesota's elderly; and have shown exceptional service to a MHHA-member facility and their residents.

WORKPLACE OF THE YEAR

Lakewood Health System was presented the "Best Minnesota Hospital Workplace" Award at the Minnesota Hospital Associate (MHA) Trustee Conference this past January 17. The nomination was submitted by employees who felt Lakewood Health System implemented systems and programs to encourage employee participation, creating a work environment that meets employee needs and makes them feel valued.