DAYTON (June 5, 2001) — Some of the best employees are those who fulfill not only their daily jobs, but also assist in bettering the lives of their fellow-man and improving their communities. That is why Kettering Medical Center Network held its very first Community Service Awards Presentation on May 2, 2001.

The awards were held at the Dayton Convention Center in conjunction with KMCN's annual Service Awards which honor long-time employees. From a pool of more than 5,800 employees, five were named as finalists for the title of Community Service Ambassador.

Xenia resident Sue Price, a sonography instructor at Kettering College of Medical Arts, earned the accolade as KMCN's top community servant for 2001. She has donated more than 1,000 hours of her time over the past two years. That includes planning and organizing volunteer support for "The Caring Place," a service that provides food to the city's indigent citizens through the First Lutheran Church of Xenia. Multiple service organizations and more than 150 people became involved in the cause through Price's diligent work.

Price has also taken part in four short-term missions to Belize and Guyana, providing instruction on medical sonography skills to clinics. In addition, Price acquired equipment for medical facilities and helped construct a clinic. She gave direct patient care and led students on these mission trips. Price also saved the clinics over $25,000 with her resourceful pursuit of donations. Other finalists for the Community Service Ambassador Award were Tom Gross (Xenia), Pam Stout (Springboro), Cathie Anderson (Kettering) and Agnes Wheeler (Centerville). The five finalists were chosen from 31 nominees who distinguished themselves through community service.

Gross has served on the Xenia Twp. Fire Dept. for many years and is also involved in Cub Scout activities. Anderson has donated more than 100 hours of her time to the KMC Clown Troupe, bringing smiles to those in need. Wheeler volunteers her nursing skills at St. Vincent's Homeless Shelter every week, and Stout helped raise $20,000 for Spring Valley Academy's efforts to build an art history program and update its art classroom.

"These people are committed to their community organizations and what we realized is this is also a group of employees that is committed to our organization," said Monique Kahkonen, Employee Relations Manager and Network Celebration Team Co-Chair.

"This is how they live their lives . . . giving," Kahkonen added. "They put their technical and medical knowledge back into their communities through churches, civic groups, schools, homeless shelters, senior programs and volunteer firefighter programs. Some of them are Cub Scout leaders, Foster parents, rescue squad volunteers . . . one even started a foundation for scholarships for underprivileged youth."

KMCN will be making a $500 donation in Price's name to the charity of her choice. In addition, Ambassador Price received a specially-designed, etched crystal piece, an honorary lunch and portraits with brass plates to be hung at Kettering and Grandview hospitals. Price was nominated for the honor by Bev Cobb, Dean of Students at KCMA.

The Network Celebration Team plans to make the Community Service Awards an annual celebration. "We have created an ongoing program like this to make sure our employees and patients recognize that volunteerism is something we do value," Kahkonen said.