(Lapwai, Idaho) – We are thrilled to announce that several dedicated staff members of Nimiipuu Health (NMPH) have been recognized with the esteemed IHS Director’s Awards for their exceptional contributions and commitment to excellence for the 2023 year. Nominated by NMPH Executive Director Roberta José-Bisbee, these awards celebrate their significant impact on the organization and the communities they serve.
The IHS Director’s Awards honor individuals or groups whose extraordinary efforts extend beyond their normal duties, significantly advancing the strategic goals, objectives, and mission of the Indian Health Service. The awards highlight two categories: the IHS Director’s Award and the IHS Director’s Award for Customer Service.
IHS Director’s Award
This category recognizes those who have substantially furthered the IHS mission and vision through exceptional service aligned with the IHS Strategic Plan’s goals of Access, Quality, and Management Operations, with a special focus on quality improvement activities.
IHS Director’s Award for Customer Service
This award honors innovation, outstanding performance, and exemplary actions that lead to quality service for patients, their families, colleagues, and partners of IHS.
We are proud to acknowledge the following NMPH staff members for their remarkable achievements:
Community Health Department
Leslie Smith, Jackienna Hopkins, Julie Saunders, Alishia West, Tami Wolfe, Cynthia Charles, Julie Keller, Crissy Garcia, Larry Greene, Richard Arthur, Emilie Guzman, Mark Souza, and Sonya Wood. This team has been nominated for their extraordinary dedication to patient care, providing a wide range of services, including in-home skilled nursing, case management, discharge planning, community education, and more. Their collaborative efforts with various clinical departments and community partners ensure the healthiest possible outcomes for the community.
IT Department
James Penney, Nick Keller, and Amanda Calkins have been recognized for their exceptional work in implementing and maintaining multiple software systems critical to patient care services. Their expertise ensures the seamless integration and operation of advanced systems like Intergy, Orchard, Inland Imaging, Dentrix, DEXIS Imaging Suite, PrimeRx, and Dragon Medical One, among others.
Optometry Department
Dr. Ileen Huh, Lydia Munoz, Daniel Vantrease, Rudi Knapik, and IT’s Amanda Calkins have been honored for their outstanding efforts in enhancing user knowledge of the EHR Greenway (Intergy) software system and optimizing the scheduling process to increase patient visits. Their successful Quality Improvement Project has yielded excellent results.
Phone Operators and Supervisor
Lucinda Bohnee, Kikeya Sobotta-Clayvon, and Natasha Weaskus have been recognized for their exceptional customer service and effective supervision. Post-COVID-19, their dedication to providing a live answering service has been particularly appreciated by the elder population, enhancing the overall customer service experience at Nimiipuu Health.
Executive Director Roberta José-Bisbee shared her pride in the nominees, stating, “Our staff’s dedication and hard work are truly commendable. Selecting nominees was challenging due to the exceptional quality of our entire team. Through patient and employee satisfaction surveys and our kudos recognition initiative, we identified these outstanding individuals. I am immensely grateful for their contributions and delighted to see them receive the recognition they so richly deserve.”
The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM in Portland, Oregon. The Community Health Department is including the bulk of their team to receive the award and will have limited capabilities at that time. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients and thank them for their commitment to excellence and service.
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About Nimiipuu Health
Nimiipuu Health is the Nez Perce Tribe Health Authority, whose mission is to provide quality healthcare in a culturally sensitive and confidential setting. With two comprehensive healthcare facilities, one in Lapwai, ID and a second ambulatory clinic located approximately 72 miles Southeast of Lapwai in Kamiah, ID, Nimiipuu Health services Nez Perce Tribal members, other tribes, and tribal descendants.