Month: November 2025

Stewart Memorial Community Hospital is proud to recognize three exceptional nurses, Dawn Parkins, Renee Bronzynski, and Kelly Lee, as DAISY Award nominees. Each nominee was honored for delivering extraordinary compassion, comfort, and support during a family’s deeply challenging medical experience.

Dawn Parkins was nominated for the kindness and emotional support she offered while a patient with a complicated medical history, including muscular dystrophy and a pacemaker, struggled with severe breathing difficulties. Dawn took the time to stop and speak with the patient’s family, sharing both reassurance and lighthearted conversation that eased a stressful moment. As their conversation came to a close, Dawn gently asked if she could pray with them. The family described the gesture as beautiful and deeply meaningful. They called her an amazing woman whose compassion made a difficult day feel a little lighter.

Renee Bronzynski and Kelly Lee were nominated together for the exceptional care they provided to the same patient, who was also battling pneumonia and facing a complex transfer to another hospital. The family expressed heartfelt gratitude for the attentiveness, gentleness, and emotional support these nurses offered during an overwhelming and frightening time. As the family prepared for a difficult transfer, they shared that they were crying and terrified, but Renee and Kelly continued to care for their loved one with patience, skill, and unwavering compassion. The family described them as amazing staff who made a profound difference in their experience.

The DAISY Award celebrates nurses who go above and beyond in their commitment to clinical excellence and compassionate care. Stewart Memorial Community Hospital is honored to have Dawn, Renee, and Kelly as part of our nursing team and congratulates them on this well-deserved recognition.

Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics is proud to announce that it has been recognized with the NRC Health® Excellence in Patient Experience Award in the Critical Access Hospital category.

This distinguished honor celebrates healthcare organizations that go above and beyond in providing exceptional care experiences to their patients and communities. Stewart Memorial was one of only three facilities nationwide designated as Critical Access Hospitals recognized for outstanding patient experience across the continuum of care.

Award recipients were selected based on their combined Real-time Net Promoter Score (NPS) and HCAHPS scores for the “Would Recommend Facility” question during the time period of April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, out of 190 eligible facilities.

“This award is a reflection of our team’s unwavering commitment to compassionate care and human connection,” said Linn Block, CEO of Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics. “Every member of our staff plays a vital role in ensuring patients and their families feel heard, respected, and cared for every time they walk through our doors.”

Helen Hrdy, Chief Operating Officer at NRC Health, said, “This year’s Excellence in Patient Experience Award winners have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to listening to patients and their families, and improving care in ways that reflect NRC Health’s mission of Human Understanding. This achievement highlights the dedication of their entire teams, and we’re proud to celebrate their successes.”

“We are honored to be recognized for excellence in patient experience,” added Block. “Our team remains dedicated to continuous improvement and to upholding the trust our patients place in us.”

To learn more about Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics and its commitment to exceptional patient care, visit www.stewartmemorial.org.

About Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics
Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics provides compassionate, high-quality healthcare services to the Lake City area and surrounding communities. With a patient-centered approach, the organization is committed to advancing rural healthcare through innovation, integrity, and personal connection.

About NRC Health
For more than 40 years, NRC Health (NASDAQ: NRC) has led the charge to humanize healthcare and support organizations in their understanding of each unique individual. NRC Health’s commitment to Human Understanding® helps leading healthcare systems get to know the patients, families, consumers, employees, and communities they serve on a human level. NRC Health has received the 2025 Best in KLAS Award for Healthcare Experience Management, further validating its dedication to creating the most human healthcare experiences.

As part of National Rural Health Day, Stewart Memorial announced it has earned a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Patient Perspective. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards program recognizes top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes, and/or Patient Perspective.

“We are honored to be recognized for our strong patient perspective scores,” said Linn Block, CEO of Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics. “This award reflects our team’s ongoing commitment to listening to our patients, understanding their needs, and delivering compassionate, high-quality care close to home. Every staff member plays a role in making sure our patients feel valued and supported through every step of their healthcare journey.”

The Performance Leadership Awards program is based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, a comprehensive and objective framework for assessing how rural hospitals are performing. INDEX benchmarks are relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure performance across multiple areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

“The areas of quality, outcomes, and patient perspective are cornerstones of healthcare delivery across rural America, and this year’s Performance Leadership Award recipients are establishing a standard of excellence for their rural peers to follow,” said Michael Topchik, Executive Director, Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We are delighted to shine a spotlight on such strong performance and honor the achievement of these hospitals on National Rural Health Day.”

Stewart Memorial Hospital and Clinics is proud to recognize Michael Meyer, Maintenance Technician, as the recipient of the November Path to Excellence Employee Recognition. Meyer has been a valued member of the Stewart Memorial team for eight years.

Michael’s journey with Stewart Memorial began through connections with friends who worked at the hospital. “What initially drew me here was the people,” he shared. “I had friends that worked here, and that really made me want to join the team.”

Since joining the organization, Meyer’s role has evolved significantly. “When I first started, I was a little lost,” he said. “This is a big facility with a different pace. Over time, I went from being the one learning to being someone people look to for guidance and instruction.”

Of Stewart Memorial’s core values, ‘Stewart’ship’ stands out most to Meyer. “I take responsibility for this place,” he said. “I’ve always treated it like it’s my own and try to do the best I can every day.”

Meyer credits his colleagues and leaders for supporting his professional growth. “When I started, there were a lot of great maintenance guys ahead of me who taught me a lot,” he shared. “My bosses have also encouraged my development, offering opportunities like boiler training, which I’ve completed twice, and other education programs that help us grow.”

Reflecting on his career, Meyer takes great pride in being part of major improvements across Stewart Memorial’s facilities. “I was very proud of the remodels at our outlying clinics and the Lake City Clinic,” he said. “They were kind of in disrepair when I started, and I was highly involved in getting them back in shape.”

When asked what keeps him motivated, Meyer reflected on advice from a past employer. “I was once asked the difference between a job and a place you work,” he said. “That stuck with me. Stewart Memorial isn’t just a job. It’s a place I work, a place where I can make a difference and help a lot of people.”

Jon Nelson, Director of Facilities, shared his perspective on Meyer’s contributions: “Michael embodies what ‘Stewart’ship’ means at our organization. He takes ownership of his work, cares deeply about our facilities, and approaches every task with pride and purpose. His efforts make a real difference every day.”

Stewart Memorial congratulates Michael Meyer on being named the November Path to Excellence honoree. His dedication, craftsmanship, and commitment to ‘Stewart’ship’ make a lasting impact on the organization, his colleagues, and the community he serves.