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A Life of Service: LewisGale Medical Center Announces Frist Humanitarian Award Winners

March 30, 2012

Contact: Joy Sutton, Marketing Communications Mgr. Nancy May, VP Marketing & PR
LewisGale Regional Health System
(540) 776-4739 or (540) 529-3137                                
(540) 776-4754 or (540) 537-3475

 
In the photo left to right:
Pat Woltanski - Frist Humanitarian Employee Winner
Ron Simmons - Frist Humanitarian Volunteer Winner
Dr. William Fintel - Frist Humanitarian Physician Winner
Charlotte Tyson - COO, LewisGale Medical Center

Salem, Virginia, March 2012 – When it comes to providing top notch healthcare – patients can trust LewisGale Medical Center has some of the best physicians, employees and volunteers in the country. The hospital recently recognized three of them with its 2011 Frist Humanitarian Awards – the highest honor you can receive at an HCA facility, the parent company for LewisGale Regional Health System.

On March 13, the hospital presented awards to Pat Woltanski, 2011 Frist Humanitarian Employee Award; Ron Simmons, 2011 Frist Humanitarian Volunteer Award, and Dr. William Fintel, 2011 Frist Humanitarian Physician Award.

“We commend the winners for their service to our patients and to the community,” said Victor E. Giovanetti, F.A.C.H.E., President, LewisGale Regional Health System. “They serve as an example of the caliber of employee you will find at our hospitals.”

The Frist Humanitarian Awards are given out annually at HCA-affiliated hospitals to an employee, volunteer, and physician who demonstrate extraordinary concern for the welfare and happiness of patients and their communities.  The winners from each hospital also have a chance to win the national Frist Humanitarian Award.

At the awards ceremony, Woltanski, Simmons and Fintel were individually recognized for their efforts.

For more than 25 years, Pat Woltanski has been a devoted employee at LewisGale Medical Center, the majority of the time as the Assistant Lab Director.  She was nominated by her employees for always putting the needs of others first, from sacrificing vacation time to help staff the department, to giving money to assist a co-worker on the brink of losing her home.  She also serves on more than six committees at the hospital and donates to eight different charity organizations.

Since 1999, Ron Simmons has spent hundreds of hours volunteering in the Rehabilitation/Physical Therapy Department. In spite of his own physical disability, he is never discouraged in his desire to help his fellow man. He also donates his time in the kitchen at the Roanoke Rescue Mission. He’s been described as a hero’s hero, as he quietly goes about doing what needs to be done and inspiring those around him.

Dr. Fintel is a community icon who has dedicated more than 24 years of his life to caring for patients as a Medical Oncologist.  He has touched the lives of countless people throughout Southwest Virginia, often going above and beyond the call of duty for his patients and the community through his volunteer efforts. He has traveled on many mission trips and served as a youth group director for more than 10 years. Dr. Fintel is also an author, an educator and devoted family man.

 “With a healthcare team like this, it’s no wonder we are ranked top in the nation for high-quality, compassionate care,” said Giovanetti.

About LewisGale Medical Center

LewisGale Medical Center is part of LewisGale Regional Health System which includes 4 hospitals, 2 regional cancer centers, 6 outpatient centers and affiliations with nearly 700 physicians, including 135 employed providers and 550 independent physicians.  With more than 3.100 employees, its annual payroll is $220.5 million. The system also paid $33 million in taxes and provided more than $86 million in uncompensated care to those most in need in 2010.  LewisGale is also part of HCA Virginia, the largest and most comprehensive healthcare provider in the Commonwealth with more than 13,000 employees.  For more information see www.lewisgale.com.