Eligibility Each hospital is invited to nominate one individual who has not been nominated previously by that organization. Health systems may submit one nomination on behalf of each of their hospitals, or select one nominee to represent the entire health system. Eligible persons must be a current employee of an OHA member hospital. The nominee should be a direct caregiver but that is not a requirement. Support personnel are also eligible is they exemplify the qualities represented by this award. Physicians are not eligible to be nominated or to receive the award. Physicians will be disqualified.
How to Submit a Nomination Health Care Worker of the Year nominations must be submitted online by the deadline. The 2020 deadline has passed. The call for nominations will reopen in the fall. Preview the nomination form Tips for submitting a good nomination Tips for promoting your nominee In addition to completing the online nomination, two digital photographs of the nominee must be submitted by the deadline: Headshot - a front-on photograph of the nominee with minimal or no surroundings Environmental - an action shot to show the nominee doing his or her job in the work setting. Photos that include patient interaction are encouraged. Please edit out any protected health information. Photograph tips
Judging Criteria A panel of outside reviewers will score each nomination based on the following criteria. Each nomination should highlight the nominee's most notable achievements and describe how the nominee embodies the following qualities of the Health Care Worker of the Year: Great Leader (20 points) Goes Beyond the Call of Duty (20 points) Most Notable Achievements Reflect the Mission and Values of Your Organization (20 points) Gives Back to the Community (20 points) A total of 80 points is possible. Please note each characteristic is worth 20 points as indicated. In addition, you will be asked to provide a brief summary and photos that will be used in a keepsake publication, on the OHA website and in OHA publications.
Award Presentation All Health Care Worker of the Year nominees are invited to celebrate their nomination with their families, friends at colleagues at the OHA Recognition Dinner which is held in conjunction with the association's annual meeting. OHA does not announce the finalists or winner until this special evening so all nominees are highly encouraged to atttend. In light of the COVID-19 pandemicand limit on mass gatherings, OHA will host a viritual ceremony to celebrate the 60 Health Care Worker of the Year Award nominees. The virtual recognition event will be livestreamed on OHA's YouTube and Facebook channel beginning at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25, and a link to join the event will be provided in the coming weeks. The virtual program will be emceed by Adora Namigadde, reporter, WOSU Radio, and several prominent Ohio leaders will offer special tributes. In addition, participants will hear from Stacey Unsinger, a COVID-19 survivor who has a deep appreciation for health care workers. Beginning the week of July 27 OHA will be featuring all the nominees on our Facebook page.
2019 Winner and Honorees Congratulations to this year's Health Care Worker of the Year: Dennis Hanlon, BSN, RN, shift supervisor, Nursing Administration, Mercy Health Willard Hospital 2019 Finalists: Jessica Kinsey, MSW, LISW-S, C-SWHC, director of Social Services and Integrated Care, Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Dee Guttadore, RN, MHA, CNML, administrative director of Nursing and Emergency Room, Sycamore Medical Center (Kettering Health) Jennifer Brodsky, RN, manager, Trauma Program, West Chester Hospital (UC Health) Melissa Noble, AT, ATC, senior clinical athletic trainer, Sports Medicine, Wilson Health All Nominees: Click here to view all the 2019 Health Care Worker of the Year Nominees