Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, are proud to announce the winners of the May Star Awards. May’s BRMC and OGH recipients were Barbara Thrush, RN, and Penny Payne, RN, respectively.
Barbara Thrush, RN, an oncology nurse at BRMC, has been with BRMC since 1988 and was honored as the BRMC May Star Award recipient.
“Barb took care of my sister during one of her most vulnerable moments in her life. My sister and I agree that Barb is one of the most kind, compassionate and caring nurses we have ever encountered. She dedicated as much time as needed to thoroughly care for my sister, even taking extra time to explain and educate her on some of the medications she was taking,” read her nomination from a patient family member. “Our community is lucky to have a place like BRMC and nurses like Barb who go above and beyond to care for our families.”
Penny Payne, RN, an obstetrics nurse at OGH, was awarded the 2025 May Star Award. Penny has been valued member of the OGH team since 2007.
“Penny took care of me and my newborn during one of the hardest times in my life, directly after my C-sections. She made me feel so safe and cared for and completely reshaped mine and my husband’s view of the labor and delivery unit at Olean General Hospital. Penny provided compassionate, patient-centered care and made sure that I felt clean, comfortable and wasn’t in pain. She made sure that I was able to rest and was always right by my side when I needed her to be,” read her patient nomination. “Penny is everything that a nurse should be: caring, kind and committed. We are so thankful that we had her as our nurse.”
The Star Award is presented monthly to an employee who demonstrates outstanding performance and inspires the same in others. Staff members are nominated for exceptional customer satisfaction, continuous performance improvement, teamwork, communication, ownership/accountability and excellence through co-worker or patient nominations.
The following were also nominated for Star Awards at BRMC: Brian Corbett, information release analyst; Melissa McAndrew-Ivanich, RN; Neola Moore, lead cook; and Kellie Tingue, office coordinator. OGH nominees were: Angeline Barnish, mental health tech; Amy Child, RN; Tina Gardner, eligibility coordinator; Kerry Grisewood, RN; Heather Parkes, lead cardiopulmonary tech; Denise Sorci, RN; and Aaron Witruke, biomed assistant tech.
Star award recipients receive a chamber of commerce gift certificate, additional paid time off, a certificate of recognition and the star award parking spot.
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