After a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Griffin Health recently honored more than 600 employees and physicians who reached service milestones of 5 years and more, and announced the Employee of the Year Award winners for 2020, 2021 and 2022 at its 50th Annual Service Awards Dinner at Aria in Prospect.
COVID-19 Testing Customer Service Representative Bryan Bostic won the 2020 Employee of the Year Award, ICU Nurse Blerina Petitti, RN, won Employee of the Year for 2021, and Surgical Services Multi-Skilled Technician Michele Dinaj won the 2022 Employee of the Year Award.
At a fun and fabulous “Back to the Future” themed celebration, Griffin Hospital CEO and President Patrick Charmel personally presented gifts of appreciation to longtime employees and announced the award winners.
Bostic Wins 2020 Employee of the Year
Bostic has been a caregiver at Griffin for more than 13 years and was nominated by a member of the Griffin Hospital Emergency Department while he was working in the Distribution Department in 2020. The fellow caregiver wrote, “I take pride in the care I provide my patients and I never doubt that the same level of care will be provided to them when I give handoff to Bryan.” Bostic has carried this same dedication to his patients and fellow caregivers into his current role with the Griffin Health COVID-19 Testing program. He is considered the backbone of the Customer Support Team, promoting positive relationships as a motivator and actively offering assistance to anyone who needs it.
Petitti Named Top Employee for 2021
Petitti has been a caregiver at Griffin for more than five years, and earned the respect and admiration of her fellow ICU caregivers for her tireless efforts to care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic surges and her selfless acts to encourage and support her team. She received numerous accolades from patients and their family members, acknowledging her kindness, dedication to maintaining their dignity, comforting nature, and commitment to ensuring a peaceful, healing environment.
Petitti was earning her Nurse Practitioner degree during these challenging times, and sacrificed critical study hours to pick up additional shifts because she knew her fellow caregivers needed help. She also frequently prepares meals to share and makes sure everyone on her team has time to sit, relax and enjoy homemade cooking.
2022 Employee of the Year Goes to Dinaj
Dinaj has been a caregiver at Griffin for more than 12 years and is known for modelling positive relationships, leadership, and attention to detail in providing exceptional patient-centered care. She displays a positive attitude to each and every person she meets and makes sure to know “what matters most” to each of her patients. She anticipates patient needs and often advocates for her patients, bringing forward suggestions to enhance the patient experience. Additionally, Dinaj promotes professional growth within Surgical Services as an active member of the hospital’s Falls Committee and as an enthusiastic mentor and preceptor for new caregivers.
Griffin’s Employee of the Year selection come from its monthly I Take It Personally (ITIP) Award program where employees are nominated by their colleagues. Each month, up to four Griffin Health caregivers are selected for their efforts to improve patient satisfaction and promote Griffin’s commitment to patient-centered care. Of these ITIP winners, four are selected as finalists for the honor of Employee of the Year.