Diane Sowden, hostess and member of the Food and Nutrition Services team, was recently awarded as the winner of the Caring Kind Award at Phelps Memorial Health Center.
For 43 years, The Caring Kind award has been given to Nebraska’s most caring and compassionate hospital employees.
The Caring Kind Award is an honor through the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) that recognizes healthcare employees who have risen to the top by providing service excellence and dedication to their profession. Award recipients commit themselves to the betterment of their hospitals, their patients, their co-workers, and their communities.
Lacie Westcott, Chief Experience Officer, said “Compassion, kindness, and patience are a few of the many qualities that Diane portrays, and her teamwork and communication skills are recognized often by her peers in and out of the kitchen.”
Being an active listener is one of Diane’s strengths and she remembers every patient that she has served. Advocating for patients is a top priority for Diane as she will always ensure that patients have what they need before leaving the room even if that means expressing concerns or needs to the clinical teams. Diane has true care and compassion for serving others, she has taken time from her daily job as a hostess to help patients eat when she sees they are struggling. She has noticed patients not eating and has taken the time to find out why and helps come up with a solution; “I have the time” is a motto she lives by. Diane’s passion for serving others extends beyond our patients, she looks out for her teammates as well. On high census days Diane has taken meals to nursing knowing they may not have time to get to the cafeteria. Diane has worked at Phelps Memorial for three years.
Lacie stated, “Diane never lets a patient know how busy she is, she shows compassion and ensures her patients feel like the number one focus that moment.” She added, “Phelps Memorial is proud to recognize Diane as an outstanding teammate who has made a tremendous difference in the lives of patients she cares for, fellow teammates, and our hospital.”
