Three Gifford Health Care employees — adult day program director Judy Santamore, medical secretary Bobbisue Champney and pediatrician Courtney Riley, MD — were recently honored with employee recognition awards.
Santamore, winner of the DAISY Award, has dedicated her 40-plus-year career to caring for Gifford's elderly population. The values and care she brings to her role positively impact not only the patient, but the patient's family as well, officials said. “As we age, we can only hope there is a Judy for all of us,” said Ursula Margazano, vice president of senior services.
Champney, medical secretary at the Chelsea Health Center, was presented with the inaugural BEE Award (Be Exceptional Every Day), which recognizes the performance of staff who improve the lives of vulnerable people. A patient who nominated Champney wrote, “We (my husband and I) both get extreme anxiety when going to the doctor. Champney's calm and soothing demeanor as we check in helps to alleviate much of that. She goes above and beyond with every interaction and deserves to be acknowledged for it.”
Riley, who rejoined Gifford in 2021 after a brief hiatus, was named winner of the HIVE Award (Health Care Providers Impacting the Lives of Vulnerable People Every Day) for meritorious physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. One nominator wrote, “Dr. Riley always goes above and beyond to take care of our children. She always makes sure that my daughter feels heard and comfortable, and her health is always top priority. Gifford is by far a much better place with her on staff!”