STEPHENS CO. HOSPITAL NAMES EMPLOYEE OF YEAR

September 8, 2008

A discharge planner at Stephens County Hospital is the new employee of the year. Thursday night, the Hospital honored its "Employee of the Year" at an awards presentation. The 2008 "Employee of the Year" is Bobbi Rees, who told WNEG what went through her mind when she found out. "Oh, my," Rees exclaimed. "Me?! I was really surprised."

Stephens County Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell called Rees a very deserving recipient of this honor. "She is a very enthusiastic person who goes out of her way to help patients and she actually helps people in the community as well when they have different needs," said Gambrell.

Gambrell went on to say her peers agreed with his assessment, as they chose her for the honor. "We put up a ballot box, usually in early August, and we distribute ballots in payroll and employees get to vote on the employee that best exemplifies the caring spirit of Stephens County Hospital," explained the administrator.

Rees said that her peers could have easily won this award as well, adding she feels honored to receive such recognition. "What I said to Mr. Gambrell, I really feel," said Rees. "I feel that every single employee of this hospital deserves to be employee of the year because I think we have a marvelous staff here and so many families stop by and tell me how pleased they are with the care they have received at this hospital. I am just proud to be an employee here and proud of the staff."

Rees has worked at Stephens County Hospital for nearly 20 years, joining the staff in 1988. Besides her position, Gambrell said she serves as a board member for the Open Arms Clinic.