Speak-up Award

2021 Quarterly Speak-up! Award Deadlines

Quarter 1:

• Nominations due Jan. 21 at midnight.
• Finalist notified Feb. 19.

Quarter 2:

• Nominations due April 22 at midnight.
• Finalist notified May 14.

Quarter 3:

• Nominations due July 22 at midnight.
• Finalist notified Aug. 13

Quarter 4:

• Nominations due Oct. 21 at midnight.
• Finalist notified Nov. 19.

Nomination Requirements

• Nominations are open to all healthcare staff working at MHA Keystone Center PSO member hospitals in good standing. 
• Nominees should exhibit the award motto: Speaking up when it’s easy to say nothing and difficult to say something.
• All MHA Keystone Speak-up! Award nominations must be submitted online. Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed and awarded quarterly, with one quarterly awardee receiving additional recognition at the annual MHA Patient Safety and Quality Symposium.
• Application and supplementary materials provided during the nomination process will not be returned.

All nominations will be reviewed in a two-step process by a workgroup comprised of patient safety and quality improvement leaders.

1. In round one, nominations will be evaluated based on the completeness of the nomination form, the nature of the event and the impact of the prevented adverse event or error. If the nomination meets the criteria for round two evaluation, the nominator may be asked to provide additional information. Evaluation in this stage allows for a possible 30/100 points.
2. In round two, a subcommittee of the MHA Keystone Center Board of Directors will consider the following items in addition to evaluating applications and supplemental nomination materials:

• Severity of the prevented adverse event
• Magnitude of the decision to speak-up
• Level of difficulty of speaking-up
• Effect of speaking-up on the organization

Evaluation in this stage allows for a possible 70/100 points. Based on the nominations received and the total points accumulated in the individual nomination evaluation process, the subcommittee will select a quarterly MHA Speak-up! Award recipient.

MHA Keystone Speak-up! Award recipients will be notified individually. Quarterly award recipients will receive an MHA Keystone Speak-up! Award certificate. If approved by the awardee’s organization, the MHA Keystone Center will arrange for an onsite recognition event. Award recipients will also be recognized below under Past Winners and in other official MHA communications.

All quarterly MHA Keystone Speak-up! Award recipients will be eligible for recognition at the annual MHA Safety and Quality Symposium. The MHA Keystone Center Board of Directors subcommittee will review quarterly award recipients in a calendar year and select one for recognition at the annual symposium.

2021

Quarter 1

Winner: Mozella Horton-Peters, an environmental services employee at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital

Runners Up:

• Connie D'Avanzo-Ordo, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
• Angie Fossitt, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital
• Crystal Blackwood, War Memorial Hospital

 

2020

Quarter 4

Winner: Audra Carlson, a patient transporter at Henry Ford Allegiance Health

Runners Up:

• Nola Sobleskey, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital
• Alice Van Ochten, McLaren Bay Region
• Maureen McClellan-Klutzke, RN, McLaren Port Huron

Quarter 3

Winner: Renee Evans, RN, a clinical nurse at Beaumont Hospital

Runners Up:

• Melissa Moore, McLaren Flint
• Macey Ramey, McLaren Greater Lansing
• Megan McGrath, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Trenton

Quarter 2

Winner: Erin Warman, Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital

Runners Up:

• Erin Switzer, McLaren Greater Lansing, Lansing
• Patricia Soper, McLaren Northern, Petoskey
• Mike Always, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe
• Leslie Muyskins, Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital

Quarter 1

Winner: Amanda Livingston, Eaton Rapids Medical Center

Runners Up:

• Amanda Seguin, RN, War Memorial Hospital, Sault Sainte Marie
• Lisa Bradley, Henry Ford Allegiance Health, Jackson
• Chuck Johnson, RN, McLaren Lapeer Region
• Kate Stub, RN, Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
• Heather Bluhm, Munson Healthcare Manistee Hospital

 

2019

Quarter 4

Winner: Dale Werner, RTR, OSF Healthcare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group

Runners Up:

• Dawn Zalewski, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills
• Rachelle Dewyre, McLaren Northern Michigan, Petoskey
• Rick Shumaker, Sparrow Health System, Lansing

Quarter 3

Winner: Megan VanDam, RN, BSN, Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital

Runners Up:

• William Burrous, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Trenton
• Savanna Bellmer, RN, McLaren Northern Michigan
• Margaret Czoch, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Troy

Quarter 2

Winners: Kelly Chiles, RN, and Naomi Coates, RN, University of Michigan Health System

Runners Up:

• Andrew Plaza, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Trenton
• Justin Buehl, RN, McLaren Health Care
• Angela Gruppen, RN, Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital
• Melissa Ball, RN, Sparrow Clinton Hospital

Quarter 1

Winner: Dawn Willoughby, RN, Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital Runners Up:

• Cathi Cornelius and Penny Cox, Munson Medical Center
• Earl Rupert, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe

 

2018

Annual Winner: Crystal Watson, RN, and Lori Engler, RN, Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital Niles

Quarter 4

Winners: Eryn Glerum and Stephanie Pratt, Bronson Battle Creek Hospital Runners Up:

• Priti Patel, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
• Brytany Bailey, Beaumont Hospital, Trenton
• Joshua Tranchida, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe

Quarter 3

Winners: Pennye Hinz and Rebecca Brand, BSN, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, Newberry Runners Up:

• Brenda Kaiponen, RN, Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital
• Cathy Camburn, RN, Henry Ford Allegiance Health
• Angela Eiler, Oaklawn Hospital
• Linda Crump, RN, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak 

Quarter 2

Winners: Crystal Watson, RN, and Lori Engler, RN, Lakeland Hospital Niles Runners Up:

• Tammy Smith, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital
• Jason Bahr and Michael Eastway, Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital
• Kari Kangas, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital
• Misty Schafer, McLaren Central Michigan

Quarter 1

Winner: Natalie Nowak, St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital Runners Up:

• Josh Workman, Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital
• Kirsten Guenther, Covenant Healthcare
• Joshua Straus, McLaren Central Michigan

 

2017

Annual Winner: Kassandra Gauna, RN, Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital

Quarter 4

Winner: Danielle Gebolys, BSN, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn Runners Up:

• Jill Megdall, Beaumont Farmington Hills
• Amy Fitzgerald, Beaumont Trenton
• Nancy Mondejar, Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital
• Norma Julien, Bronson Healthcare

Quarter 3

Winner: Kassandra Gauna, RN, Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital Runners Up:

• Ann Jurgensen, Aspirus Ontonagon
• Tabitha Foster, Oaklawn Hospital
• Leisa Thornton, Beaumont Hospital, Trenton
• Laura Ballinger, Spectrum Health Pennock Hospital

Quarter 2

Winner: Jennifer Ludwig, RN, Sparrow Hospital Runners Up:

• Michelle Kittendorf, Sparrow Hospital
• Beth Green, Lake Huron Medical Center
• Lisa Carlos, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
• Mark Olsen, Sturgis Hospital

Quarter 1

Winner: Gaiti Bakhsh, DO, Beaumont Health, Taylor Runners Up:

• Mary Vaugn, Bronson Battle Creek Hospital
• Susan Kelchner, Beaumont Medical Group
• Michelle Kelly, Beaumont Hospital, Wayne
• Lora Ballinger, Spectrum Health, Pennock
• Sarah Lee, Bronson Battle Creek Hospital

 

2016

Annual Winner: Seth Raymond, DO, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo

Quarter 4

Winner: Karen Kazyak, RN, Beaumont Health, Royal Oak Runners Up:

• Cheryl Hendricks, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
• Lisa Wagner, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe
• Ruthann Strasz, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe
• Marisa Engel, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe
• Madonna Saad, University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers
• Danielle Hudson, Henry Ford Hospital
• Samuel Turner, Detroit Medical Center Harper University Hospital
• Christin Schenk, Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills

Quarter 3

Winner: Kristi Tyler, Beaumont Health, Taylor Runners Up:

• Alysha Martinez, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
• Amanda Gray, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
• Denise Nierman, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
• Jennifer Niehaus, Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
• Maria Manzari, Beaumont Hospital, Trenton
• Norine Fuerth, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe
• Patricia Boisseau, Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills

Quarter 2

Winner: Seth Raymond, DO, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo Runners Up:

• Shirley Wilson, Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
• Kristen Cenci, Beaumont Hospital, Taylor
• Yolanda Robinson, Beaumont Hospital, Taylor
• Jennifer Brott, Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital
• Melanie Mann, Sturgis Hospital
• Mahesh Sharman, MD, Hurley Medical Center

Who can be nominated?

Any healthcare staff member employed at an MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) hospital can be nominated. This award is founded on the principle of transdisciplinary teamwork; everyone has the right to be concerned and everyone has the right to speak up.

Can I nominate myself?

Yes, you may nominate yourself, though we will require another contact at your facility to verify the authenticity of the event.

Can patients and families be nominated?

No, not at this time. This award is focused on acknowledging the efforts of healthcare staff members.

How many times can I nominate an individual or team?

You can nominate the same individual or team multiple times, but it must be for a different event. If two nominations are submitted for the same event, we will reach out to the contacts listed in the nomination forms to work with each nominator.

Is there a limit on the number of nominees from each hospital?

Due to the large number of nominations each quarter, there will be a limit of one award finalist per organization, per quarter.  All organizations and staff are still encouraged to nominate as many individuals as they would like, though only one nominee will move into the finalist pool per quarter.

When is a nominee selected to receive the award?

Final selections will take place in the middle month of each quarter (February, April, June, etc.). The annual award recipient for a given year will be selected in February the following year. Annual recipients will be recognized at the MHA Patient Safety & Quality Symposium.

Can a nominee receive this award even if information about the event is withheld?

Yes, though we do encourage you to submit as much information as possible, we realize that certain information is sensitive.

Will any of our information be published?

We would like to share your speak-up story in a de-identified manner if possible, but will always respect the wishes of you and your organization. None of the details of the event within your nomination form will be published unless otherwise approved by both you and your organization.