Suzanne Miller Named Pen Bay Healthcare Employee of the Year

Suzanne Miller, of Rockland, RN, CCM, Health Services Coordinator at Quarry Hill Retirement Community in Camden, has been named Pen Bay Healthcare Employee of the Year for 2008.

The Employee of the Year, chosen from among the Employees of the Month in the current fiscal year, receives a gift of $1,000 and a commemorative plaque. An article about the award is sent to the newspapers, and the winner's photo is prominently displayed on the communications boards of the PBH organizations.

At the awards ceremony on Sept. 18 at Penobscot Bay Medical Center, Roy Hitchings, President and CEO, Pen Bay Healthcare, addressed Suzanne directly: "You have been here since we started Quarry Hill. One of the things we knew was that we needed someone to help people navigate the system. You are one of those who understand the process, help coordinate the services they need and work with their families."

Bob McKeown, Executive Director, Quarry Hill, pointing to Suzanne's role in counseling prospective residents and coordinating admissions at the extended-care retirement community, said Suzanne's "clinical background, communication skills, compassion and sincere belief in the value of our program inspire trust in everyone she meets."

He added that her "creative solutions enrich our residents' daily lives."

In addition, he said, Suzanne enjoys a well-deserved reputation as an educator and innovator: "In designing her position, we hoped that Suzanne would have time to develop educational programming for the benefit of our residents as well as the larger community. She exceeded our expectations, developing two educational series – Adventures in Living Well and Exploring Complementary Healthcare for Seniors – designed to enhance the health and vitality of adults age 55 and older."

Suzanne is also known for helping to establish a local Parkinson's Disease Support Group. The group, which she continues to coordinate, meets monthly at Quarry Hill.

"No one achieves an honor like this in isolation," said Suzanne in accepting the award. "I think it's important to recognize the people who support you on your journey and make the things that you do possible. I thank my extended family who support me every day in being true to myself, and my co-workers and friends at Quarry Hill who support and encourage and assist me in the programs that I do."

She added: "To me, the biggest honor is knowing that it was my co-workers that nominated me. They have seen me and worked with me every day – and still think I am worthy of this award."