HOSPITAL UPDATE

POMEROY––Garfield County Hospital District (GCHD) is proud to announce August's Employee of the Month, Susan Brown, Dietary Cook. She was nominated by her co-workers who state, "She is always willing to help wherever she is needed." Originally from one of the beautiful islands of the Philippines, Susan was born in Hindang, Leyte, Philippines, where she spent her childhood.

She and her siblings were raised by her grandparents and at a very early age and Susan began helping to provide for her family. She recalls riding a water buffalo while plowing the rice fields as a young child and learned to cook and prepare meals at age seven. She graduated from St. Michael's High School at age 16 and began working for Magill Edralin, cousin to former President Ferdinand Marcos, of the Philippines. For the next six years, she was employed as part of the kitchen staff cultivating fine culinary cooking skills.

Susan married and moved to the United States where her husband was employed in the U.S. Navy in California. They later moved to Spokane. After his passing in 1983, Susan met her future husband, Steve Brown, and they were married three years later and moved to Valley Ford, Wash. She worked briefly as cook in a school cafeteria for one year before settling down in Pomeroy to raise their young family.

In 2001, Susan began her career with Garfield County Hospital District joining the dietary staff. Her job duties began as full-time homemaker cook, making meals in the Day Room for the residents to appeal to their senses and help promote healthy appetites. "I try to make the food smell good and look pretty for the residents," Susan said. "I like cooking for the residents and listen to them tell me their life stories and even stay after work to play pinnacle with the residents when they asked."

Her favorite part of her job is, "cooking for the residents and hear them say the food is good," she says. "That it is like a reward for your hard work and means a lot.

"I am proud of what I'm doing and put time and effort in it," said Susan. "A person really has to like their job to perform well and it shows how you care in what do."

Several peers recognized her fine cooking skills and hard work ethic. They find that she is a dedicated worker, always goes over and above to make sure residents and staff get what they want. "She is good about donating flowers for the residents to enjoy," her peers continued. "We have worked together for 20-plus years and she does so much behind the scenes. She is always friendly and helpful to the patients and staff. She loves to cook and it shows in all the delicious soaps and meals she serves. Even one of the residents said, "She is always so nice and does everything she can to give us patients what we need."

Susan's recognition and appreciation for being a valued employee is best summed up by a GCHD staff member, "She has been an asset to our hospital for many years. We are lucky to have her on our staff!"