Seated, from left, are Alecia VanWagner, primary care physician; Heather Brown; and Lori Henophy, patient representative. Standing, from left, are Kaitlyn Strader, clinical nurse manager; Casandra Dodd, administrative manager; and Ellen Deshaw, LPN.

POTSDAM -- Three Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s employees were recently selected as employees of the quarter by St. Lawrence Health System.

Heather Brown, LPN; Jeff Groenheide, RN and clinical outcomes specialist; and Lisa Losey, RN, were nominated by their peers.

Brown joined CPH in 2003 as a unit clerk, where she supported patient care, providers, nurses, pharmacists, and therapists.

In her current role, her colleagues said they “value her responsive and collaborative nature,” according to a press release.

“Heather is a compassionate and dedicated nurse. She goes above and beyond to ensure her patients’ needs are taken care of. In addition, she supports her coworkers and makes herself available for office coverage without hesitation. She is a pleasure to work with,” said Cassandra Dodd, administrative manager for Potsdam Primary Care.

Pictured with Jeff Groenheide (kneeling), from left, are Sue Hodgson, VP of quality, patient safety, risk management, and corporate compliance officer; Jodi Colby, director of quality and case management; Julie Derouchia, case manager; Nancy Wood, infection prevention specialist; Alan Falcon, quality data analyst; Terri Young, case manager liaison; Ellen Nichols, assistant director of quality and case management; Maryann Howells, case manager; Kathy Aufdengarten, case manager; and Kathleen Marshall, administrative assistant.

Groenheide joined the hospital in 2007 as an RN for patient care services on the medical/surgical floors and within the emergency department.

Last year, Groenheide accepted a position as the clinical outcomes specialist within the quality management department. Groenheide’s peers said “he demonstrates the hospital’s standards of behavior and sets the bar high for others to emulate,” the release said.

“Jeff’s clinical experience has proven a valuable asset in his ability to coach and mentor staff related to evidence based best practice,” said Jodi Colby, quality and case management director.

“He is always professional, willing to learn, and focused on improving the care and safety for our patients. He has contributed to improvements in infection prevention, CORE measure metrics, safety practices, and the ongoing development of the computerized provider order entry system,” said Colby.

Pictured, from left, are Jeanette Dempsey, RN; operating room manager; Sally Remington, RN, ambulatory surgery manager; Lisa Losey; Marie Martin, RN, VP of patient care services; and Fran Hall, RN, assistant VP of patient care services.

Lisa Losey started at CPH in 1989 and has worked as a transport nurse, a nursing supervisor, and an ambulatory surgery nurse.

Colleagues said that patients, staff, and providers alike rely on Losey for her experience and sound judgment.

They also attested to her calm and comforting nature and her dedication to exceptional patient care. She is said to set the bar high for others to emulate.

“Lisa exhibits the very best of nursing. She has been with CPH for 25 years. She is a nurse that is full of compassion and empathy and gives the very best of care to her patients and their families. Lisa always advocates in the patients’ best interest,” said Sally Remington, ambulatory surgery manager.

“Her critical thinking skills are second to none and she can respond quickly and efficiently to any patient emergency. She is a reliable and dedicated RN at CPH and our community is so lucky to have her,” said Remington.

Brown, Groenheide, and Losey celebrated with colleagues and peers.

Each was given a dish garden, chamber gift certificates, CPH gift shop gift certificates, a memento pin, and a designated parking space for the next three months.