A reception was held on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at Mendota Community Hospital in recognition of the

staff who have completed the hospital’s Clinical Ladder Program, an annual incentive program, whose purpose is to 1) promote quality employee recruitment and retention; 2) support an environment that promotes professional behavior and growth; 3) promote continued excellence in the clinical departments; and 4) encourage active organizational involvement to improve the quality of patient care.

To participate, each applicant must have a minimum of two years experience as a registered nurse or a certified or registered professional in one of the ancillary departments (such as Cardiopulmonary, Laboratory, Radiology, Rehab Services or Pharmacy).  In addition, participants must have been employed by the hospital for not less than one year in a benefit position.  Applicants must complete all requirements during the year being evaluated.  A total of 15 points must be obtained for a first year participant, 18 points must be earned for a second year participant and 21 points are required for a third or more year participant.  Points can be earned through participation in community service, process improvement activities, hospital committee membership, and activities which share knowledge such as in-service education, public education or patient education.  All activities must be approved, verified, documented and presented in a binder format to the Clinical Ladder Team for evaluation at the end of the fiscal year.

Sixteen (16) Employees successfully completed the 2011 Clinical Ladder Program:   3^rd year participants include Linda Brandt, RN, Tina Fitzgerald, RN, Janet Henry, RN, Darci Kettleborough, RN, Judy McConville, RN, Berta Patterson, RN, Sara Schiefelbein, RN, and Vicki Smith, RN; 2^nd year participants include Larenne Haas, RN, Toni Piller, RN, and Amy Smith, RN; and 1^st year participants include Michelle Jones, RN, Rhonda Myers, MT, Deb Nettleton, MT, Sandy Northcutt, RN, and Mary Ritchie, RN.

Picture Participants;

1st row: Rhonda Myers, MT, Berta Patterson, RN, Linda Brandt, RN, Vicki Smith, RN, Sara Schiefelbein, RN, Larenne Haas, RN, Darci Kettleborough, RN 2nd row: Deb Nettleton, MT, Toni Piller, RN, Amy Smith, RN, Tina Fitzgerald, RN, Mary Ritchie, RN, Janet Henry, RN, Sandy Northcutt, RN, and Judy McConville, APN, FNP-BC. Not pictured, Michelle Jones, RN.