Three from therapy services become GEMS

RUMFORD -- GEMS, a program which recognizes clinical staff and clinical support staff for excellence in five areas: clinical excellence, customer service, education and research, leadership, and community service recently announced the 2012 awardees.

For the first time, staff from the Rumford Hospital Therapy Services Department applied for and were awarded GEMS status.

GEMS stands for Growth, Enthusiasm, Motivation and Spirit. The GEMS program recognizes staff at three levels, or steps of achievement - Sapphire, Ruby and Diamond. In order to keep standards high, staff members are awarded GEMS status for two years, after which they must re-apply for their current level or a higher level. The three levels - sapphire, ruby and diamond - carry increasingly tougher criteria.

In the past, the awardees have primarily been from the nursing ranks, although other departments have been eligible.

Cynthia Dawson, Speech Pathologist with Therapy Services, has achieved the Diamond status. She lives in Roxbury.

Rhonda Norton, Physical Therapist, has achieved Diamond status. She resides in Turner.

Jamee Therault, a Mexico resident, has achieved Sapphire GEMS. She is a physical therapy assistant in the Therapy Department.

"I'm am so glad to be able to recognize outstanding employees from departments other than nursing," said Jane Aube, Director of Nursing, who is a member of the committee that selects employees for GEMS status.