Milestone: Olympic Medical Center’s Nelson receives BEE Award

Sarah Lester, Home Health administrative assistant for Olympic Medical Center, recently received the OMC BEE (Being Excellent Every Day) award.

The award, established by OMC and a companion to the DAISY Award given to nursing staff, recognizes non-nurse staff members, both clinical and non-clinical, who exceed expectation in service excellence every day.

Lester was recognized for being integral to Home Health’s administrative operations, showing versatility, initiative and heart.

“Sarah optimizes the BEE award of Being Excellent Everyday,” said Joan Warren, Olympic Medical Home Health director. “She is tireless in the support she provides to patients and co-workers, along with being pleasant, cheerful and innovative. We’re so proud of Sarah’s accomplishments.”

A colleague nominated Lester for the BEE award, writing:

“Sarah Lester exemplifies the type of employee that the BEE Award was meant for. She is the heart of the Home Health office. It is hard to describe just one particular event to show how amazing Sarah is because she goes above and beyond every day.

Recently a former patient who was residing in a nursing facility called the office because they needed assistance and were having trouble getting that at the facility. Sarah took it upon herself to call the facility directly, which assisted the patient to get their need met.

Even after Sarah was promoted to the administrative assistant position, she continued to cover the front office position as well until someone was hired. The Home Health office would not run as smoothly without Sarah’s organization and smiling, pleasant, can-do attitude.

Sarah shows empathy for others daily and recently called a sick coworker to see if there was anything she could do to help. When another co-worker had a car problem, Sarah quickly volunteered to go pick them up so they could come to work, which was much appreciated. Sarah treats everyone with the utmost respect and courtesy.

Sarah truly lives the Be Excellent Every Day motto!”

Olympic Medical staff may be nominated for the BEE Award by patients, families and colleagues. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him on “Being Excellent Every Day.”

The certificate reads: “With deep appreciation for being excellent at what you do, for going above and beyond and making a difference for those around you every day.”

Honorees also receive a BEE Award pin and a gift bag containing a jar of local honey.

A cross-functional committee of healthcare workers review the nominations and select the final nominee.

To nominate an Olympic Medical Center staff member, visit olympicmedical.org/thankyou.