AREA (Accountability, Respect, Excellence Applause) awards were given to employees who have gone above and beyond their job description and have demonstrated actions exemplary to the mission, visions and values of the Medical Center and Medical University. Employees received a $50 gift certificate to either Citadel or Northwoods mall.

The employees were the following:

• Val Bennett and John Campbell, Hospital Security: Bennett and Campbell found an unconscious and unresponsive woman in a wheel chair at the Clinical Science Building ramp. They rushed her to the Trauma Center where she was in full cardiac arrest. She was resuscitated and sent to the MICU. Their quick response helped saved this woman’s life.
• George Brasko, Maintenance: Brasko came to the rescue of a patient in the emergency room who needed a ring cut off. The department’s cutter was unavailable, and the physical plant was contacted to see if they had one. When he found out the physical plant did not have a cutter, Brasko volunteered to drive home to get his own. He returned in time to remove the ring, restore circulation, and save the patient’s finger.
• Jim Chapman, Support Services: After a hard day’s work Chapman agreed, at the last minute, to perform a marriage ceremony as a notary, for a parent of a 12-year-old GCRC patient. The wedding was to take place at a private home, but the minister canceled. Had he not agreed, the patient would not have been able to fulfill her dream of attending the wedding or being the flower girl. Unfortunately, the patient died four days later.
• Judy Garris, Volunteer Services: Someone had dropped off a lady who could not see. She was literally wandering in the first floor of the Children’s Hospital. Garris asked if she could help; took the lady to the Eye Institute; asked them to call her when they were finished then walked the lady back to the bus stop on Rutledge Avenue. Since the woman was alone and legally blind, Garris saw her plight and became her eyes.
• Joan Janes, Peds Cardiology: Considered a humanitarian, Janes gave her personal computer to a heart transplant patient instead of selling it, when she purchased a new one. The patient was very excited and appreciative. He cannot play sports, so the computer was just the thing he needed.
• Earnest Gadsden, Neurology: With great poise and perseverance, Gadsden worked around the clock administering the Neurology Residency Training Program and the junior core medicine course. He worked diligently to complete many challenging tasks prior to leaving town for a professional meeting.
• Bryan Waters, Physical Plant: Waters took time out of his busy schedule to help the hospital get ready for the JCAHO (Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) inspection by cleaning up paint.
• Terry Richardson, Physical Plant: When Cancer Registry, in the Hollings Cancer Center, had a flood, Richardson wasted no time responding to the crisis.
• Legay Owens, Neurology: Considered a jack-of-all-trades, Owens covered her old position while taking on the responsibilities of her new position. She handled this transition with professionalism and proficiency.