“Kim continuously goes out of her way to help fellow employees,” echoed another fellow employee, Jean Tuttle/Community Relations, “I have never known her to bad-mouth anyone or be disrespectful.”
       The Employee of the Year (EOY) nod was a testament to the Honesdale-born-and-raised Bates, who has worked at Wayne Memorial Hospital for almost 28 years. She started as a teen volunteer in high school, continued on to be a Laboratory Technologist and then a phlebotomist. Bates adjusted her hours in the Lab as she and husband Rick raised their four children, a boy (Rick) and three girls (Melissa, Amanda and Vanessa). 
       “I work in such a great supportive department—the Lab—it’s really a lot of fun,” said Bates, who added, “I was so surprised to be chosen Employee of the Year.” Kim, who was Employee of the Month of January 2009, was chosen from among the 12 monthly winners of 2009 by the Employees of the Month of the year before, 2008.
       Wayne Memorial Hospital has been a kind of home for Bates, whose mother, Anita Fitzsimmons, worked there as a registered nurse.
       “Kim has shown such dedication to Wayne Memorial Hospital in so many ways that I know she is so deserving of this award,” said Romano. “She demonstrates everything we need, not only as an employee but also as a caring and compassionate individual. I’m thrilled she’s Employee of the Year.”
       “When it comes to excellence in customer service, Kim Bates is always out in front,” said WMH Chief Executive Officer David Hoff, “We have a new customer service initiative at WMH and Kim exemplifies what that’s all about. We’re very proud of her.” 
       More than 200 people turned out for the WMH Winter Gala at Woodloch Pines, Hawley. The event included a presentation about all the Employees of the Month for 2009: January - Bates ; February - Dave Kammer/Lab; March - Kim Eldred/Information Services; April – Mike Zielinski/Materials Management; May – Amy Rommel/Social Services; June – Dian Hutchinson/Information Services; July – Cherie Gilbert/Nursing; August – Jennifer Bonham, Physical Therapist/Rehab Services; September – Sandy Flynn, BSN, RN, CNOR, CRNFA/Operating Room; October – Joan Badoud, RN/Nursing; November – Desiree Hector Pugh/Home Health; December – Janene Dubois/Inpatient Rehab.
       The EOY (Bates) receives a monetary gift and her photo remains on the “Wall of Honor” in the Hospital—forever!

Photo: Kim Bates, center, was chosen Wayne Memorial Hospital’s Employee of the Year 2009 at the Hospital’s annual holiday party in February. Left is Elizabeth McDonald, director of Human Resources and right is David Hoff, chief executive officer.