As CLH continues to grow into its new facility and expand services, colleagues across the organization are playing an essential role in supporting patients, one another, and the community. This year’s award recipients exemplify the values, teamwork, and dedication that move the hospital forward.
2026 ICARE Award
Recipient: Gracie Ayers, RN
Gracie is recognized for her commitment to excellence and integrity in nursing practice. She has demonstrated significant professional growth, continually strengthening her skills while maintaining a compassionate, patient-centered approach to care. Gracie is known for stepping in without hesitation when help is needed, supporting her coworkers, and bringing a positive, team-focused spirit to every shift. Her reliability, initiative, and kindness make her a role model and a valued member of the CLH family.
Blossom Award
Recipient: Meagan Hobbs, Radiology
Meagan is honored for her commitment to growth and advancement in support of patient care. After beginning her career at CLH as a Radiologic Technologist, she pursued additional training and earned her Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) mammography certification, expanding access to women’s imaging services close to home. Meagan is known for her calm presence, professionalism, and genuine care for patients. Her initiative and work ethic reflect both pride in her profession and dedication to the community she serves.
Colleagues of the Year
Primary Care Clinic — Martha “Nana” Clower
Martha is celebrated for the warmth, energy, and joy she brings to the clinic each day. Patients and coworkers alike describe her as caring, dependable, and deeply committed to helping others. She keeps exam rooms organized and ready, supports providers and teammates without being asked, and greets every patient with kindness and humor. Her heart for service embodies the spirit of rural healthcare and the culture CLH strives to build.
EMS — Shelby Hill, Paramedic
Shelby is recognized for an exceptional year of growth and leadership in the field. In her first year serving independently as a Paramedic, she has demonstrated confidence, sound clinical judgment, and unwavering compassion for patients. Shelby is known for placing patients first, stepping in to cover shifts and support coworkers, and helping advance new initiatives within EMS. Her positivity and encouragement lift the entire team – and she is just as well-known for boosting morale with homemade baked treats as she is for her professionalism on calls.
Hospital — Sandy Zeissler
Sandy is honored for her strong work ethic, dependability, and ability to support multiple departments whenever help is needed. She is a team member others can count on – friendly, adaptable, and always willing to assist to ensure patient care runs smoothly. Sandy’s upbeat personality and commitment to doing what is best for patients and coworkers make her an invaluable part of the CLH team.
Quarterly Excellence Recognitions
Employee of the Quarter, Carol Bush, works as ward clerk/unit secretary in the inpatient unit and has quickly become someone teammates rely on. She brings a positive attitude to every task, steps in wherever needed, and manages multiple responsibilities with ease. Her willingness to help and her steady presence have made a meaningful impact on the colleagues and patients she works with.
Whitney Duncan, Director of Patient Care Services and recipient of the third-quarter Leadership Excellence recognition, has been part of CLH since 2018 and plays an important role in ensuring clinical operations run smoothly. Whitney was instrumental in the relocation to the new hospital, leading the work to stand up both the inpatient unit and the Emergency Department so that quality care continued without interruption from day one. She supports staff and patients with consistency and professionalism and is respected across departments for her strong leadership and problem-solving approach.