AHE recognizes field leaders

The Association for the Healthcare Environment last week presented its 2015 Recognition Awards for excellence in caring for the environment, volunteer service, mentorship and environmental sustainability during its annual conference in Philadelphia. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover, NH, was named the Environmental Services Department of the Year Award recipient in the 6-199 bed category, while Gundersen Health, La Crosse, WI, was the recipient in the 200-500 bed category. The Phoenix Award, the group’s highest individual honor, was presented to Fiona Nemetz, director of environmental services, safety and security at Atlanta’s Northside Hospital, for exceptional leadership and for demonstration of quality and excellence in the profession. Jean Williams of Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, OH, was awarded the Heart of Healthcare Award, and Weston Thiss of Professional Contract Services, Inc., in Austin, TX, received the James Wolfbrandt Award. AHE also presented its Innovation Award to Key Source International’s San-a-Key Healthcare Technology System, which sterilizes keyboards, a leading carrier of bacteria and viruses. The award recognizes and increases awareness of improved products and processes and technology advancements that empower individuals to improve measured outcomes in the health care environment. AHE is an AHA professional membership group.